Page 164 of Mountain Grump
“Um.” I’m afraid I already know the answer, but I decide to confirm. “Are there mountain lions where we live too?”
Ethan picks up my clothes and shakes them out as he walks back. “Yes. But it’s rare to see them.”
I step back so Ethan can enter the cabin. “Yes? Like for sure?”
He shuts the door behind him, then drops my pajamas onto the bed. “It’s estimated that there are three to five thousand mountain lions in the state of Colorado.”
My mouth drops open. “What?”
“But.” He turns the lantern on, filling the cabin with a warm glow. “They generally avoid humans. So even though they’re around, they’re rarely spotted.”
With Ethan’s back to me, I use a clean spot of the washcloth and quickly drag it between my legs.
Wrappers crinkle as Ethan grabs a pair of granola bars.
“So what’s with this one, then?” I pick up my pants and pull them on. “It doesn’t seem to be avoiding humans.”
Ethan grunts. “Hopefully he will now.”
“He?” I tug my shirt on.
Ethan lifts a shoulder. “I think that’s the same one from the river. His actions make him seem young, but he’s on the bigger side, so I’m guessing male.”
“But you think you scared him away?”
Ethan hands me one of the bars. “His behavior wasn’t aggressive. I think he just wanted to see what we were up to. But now he knows we’re noisy and scary, so I don’t think we’ll see him again.”
I take the bar and bite into it as Ethan changes his jeans for pajama pants.
“Ethan?”
He grabs the lamp and carries it to the bed. “Yeah?”
I lower the wrapper to my side. “Uncle Jack left me two million dollars.”
Ethan lifts a brow.
“I, um, I had no idea. I thought the twenty thousand he left me was all of his savings. And even that amount… It felt unreal. But two…” I blow out a breath. “That’s why we—I—had to get married. He put it in the will. That I only got the money if I was married by my thirtieth birthday. And if I didn’t… He said if I didn’t get married, it would all go tothem. Which is bonkers. Because he hates them.Ihate them. And the money would just go to, I don’t know, a random stranger. Or disappear altogether. I never would’ve asked. Or pretended like that wasn’t the plan already. I just… I know Uncle Jack would roll in his grave if they got his money.” I shift on my feet, feeling so uncomfortable and wishing I’d already told him about all of this.
“Tilda.”
“I’m not greedy.” I rush the words out. “I’ll share the money with you. Whatever’s fair. And I’m going to get a job. I’ve started looking. I just… I?—”
“Matilda.” I stop fidgeting and meet Ethan’s gaze. “I get it.” I open my mouth, but he lifts his brow again, so I stay quiet. “I get it, okay. I wouldn’t give those people a nickel if I found one on the floor.”
My shoulder sag. “They’re the worst.”
Ethan nods. “And I don’t need your money.”
“But—”
“I won’t take any of your money, Tilda.”
I lift my hands, then let them drop back to my sides, the empty wrapper crinkling with the motion. I’ll find a way to give Ethan some of the money later. “I just don’t understandwhy? Like,whydid Uncle Jack do this?” I take a breath and finally admit what we both must know by now.The hired pilot and driver. The will. The nearest wedding chapel expecting us…“Why would he force me to marryyou?”
Chapter 84
Ethan
