Page 19 of Lumberjack Bride

I pull open the front door and step out onto the porch. “What are you doing?” I ask him.

He stands a little taller. “I’m engaging in a silent protest,” he says.

I pause. “You’re what now?”

“I’m not leaving this spot until you agree to marry me again.”

My chest lurches. “Oh, no, you’re not!”

He digs his heels into the dirt.

“No, no,” I say, pointing a finger. “You can’t play the protest card. That’s my card.”

He doesn’t budge.

“Go home, Leo!” I shout.

“No,” he says. “I still love you. I still want to marry you. And I’m not moving until you realize how unbelievably stupid you’re being.”

I gasp. “I am not being stupid.”

“Well, you aren’t being smart.”

I stomp my foot. “You’re trespassing!”

He smirks. “Have me arrested, then.”

“You think I won’t?”

“No.” His smile deepens. “Because you taught me the value of seeing the good in people and I believe in you, Hazel Smith.”

“Ugh!” I spin around to march back into the house, slamming the door closed behind me.

I immediately double back to the window to watch him standing there with his knees locked and his light, amused eyes smiling in his damn skull.

You’ve gotta be freakin’ kidding me.

Leo Jackman.

What an idiot.