Page 51 of Whiskey Kisses For the Mountain Man
"You mean my ex publicly humiliating me?" Lettie's voice is steel now.
"Which would never have happened if you'd behaved appropriately," her mother sniffs. "Trent was from a good family. He was established. He had connections."
"He cheated on me," Lettie says flatly.
"Men stray when they're not being properly attended to," her mother replies, and my blood boils. "A woman with the right priorities knows how to keep her man's attention."
I'm about to burst in when Lettie's mother continues, "Regardless, he's willing to overlook your... ill-guided shenanigans. He called your father personally. He's prepared to give you another chance."
"Another chance?" Lettie's voice rises in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
"Don't take that tone," her father cuts in. "We've gone to considerable lengths to smooth things over. The Ashfords are important clients. This arrangement benefits everyone."
"Arrangement?" Lettie repeats. "Is that what my life is to you? A business arrangement?"
I can see her now, standing behind her desk, vibrating with an anger I've never witnessed from her. Gone is my sunshine girl with her candy canes and elf curses. In her place stands a woman pushed to her breaking point.
"Don't be dramatic, Colette," her mother dismisses. "That's always been your problem. Too emotional. Too much. If you'd just control yourself, diet properly, dress appropriately?—"
"With all due respect, Mother," Lettie interrupts, her voice deadly quiet, "you can go fuck yourself. Or better yet, fuck Trent, since you seem so enamored with him."
Her parents physically recoil as if slapped. I can't help the surge of pride that rushes through me.That's my girl.
Lettie finally spots me in the doorway. Her expression shifts, a small smile forming despite the tension. Without breaking eye contact with me, she walks around her desk and marches to the door, pulling it fully open.
"My life is here now," she tells her parents firmly. "My career, my home, the man I love. I'm done dimming my light or my life for you or anyone else. You can see yourselves out."
Her parents stare in shock, neither moving. Her father recovers first. "This is unacceptable, Colette. You will regret?—"
"The only thing I regret," she cuts him off, "is how long it took me to stand up for myself. Goodbye."
I step into the doorway beside her, placing my arm around her waist, silently lending support. Her mother takes in my appearance—the tattoos visible beneath my rolled-up sleeves, the beard, the distillery logo on my shirt—and her mouth pinches like she's tasted something sour.
"So this is what you've chosen?" her mother asks. "Some... mountain man in a backwater town?"
"His name is Owen," Lettie says proudly. "And yes, I choose him. Every day."
Her father glances at his watch. "We have a flight to catch. This conversation isn't over."
"It is for me," Lettie replies.
They gather their coats and leave without another word, the tension trailing behind them like a toxic cloud. The moment they're out of sight, Lettie sags against me, exhaling deeply.
"You okay?" I ask, turning her to face me.
"I think so." She looks up at me with wonder in her eyes. "I've never spoken to them like that."
"It was fucking magnificent," I tell her honestly.
A slow smile spreads across her face. "It was, wasn't it?"
I lean down and kiss her deeply, pouring all my pride and admiration into it. When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you for being here," she whispers.
"Always." I brush a strand of hair from her face. "But now I've got to run. Last-minute festival stuff."
She nods, though I can see the curiosity in her eyes. "Everything okay with the tree?"
