Chapter 97
Tilda
“Matilda.”
I scream, losing my grip on my hot chocolate and dropping the mug over the deck railing.
I know the voice belongs to Ethan, but my heart is still racing from the surprise.
Hand against my chest, I turn toward him just in time to see Quackers fly up from beneath the deck, flapping straight for Ethan’s handsome face.
I open my mouth to yell at Quackers. But before I can tell her to stop her attack, Ethan darts his hand out and catches her midair, his large hand gripping her by the chest.
My mouth stays open.
“Knock it off,” Ethan snaps. At the duck.
He looks past Quackers to me.
I lift a hand. “Hello.”
He lifts the duck. “Happy birthday.”
I stare at the man. Possibly in shock. Then I grin as Quackers starts to flap her wings.
It’s mayhem. And the perfect amount of goofy. Because Ethan is here. For my birthday. And if I don’t let the humor win, I may break into tears at the sweetness of it all.
“Enough,” Ethan barks, and Quackers instantly settles. “I’m going to put you down. And if you try to bite me, I’m going to be upset.”
He’s being so stern. And it’s making me warm.
Ethan slowly lowers Quackers to the ground.
She flaps her wings once, then waddles back under the deck.
“Could you please grab my mug?” I point to where I threw it.
The edge of Ethan’s mouth pulls up. “Sure thing, Starlight.”
That warm feeling turns molten.
Then I spot the present in his hand. And all that heat turns into something tender.
Before he even reaches the mug, I’m rushing through the screenless door, into the house.