Ethan wasn’t going to win this. And he also wasn’t able to put an end to it. There was something he was missing and he couldn’t figure out what. “Roy why is this so damn important to you?”
“We don’t have any children, Ethan. You’re the closest thing I have to having a son. Which means your happiness means a lot to us. And for a few days, I don’t think we’ve ever seen you look so happy before.”
“I was. But something changed. I found out something that I wish I hadn’t,” he admitted. Not that he wanted her lie to continue, but knowing really wasn’t better.
“And it personally affects you?” Roy asked.
“Well, in a very roundabout way.”
“Ethan, you need to really think about this. Whatever you learned, is it greater than how you feel about her? And before you tell me again that you’re not even dating, I don’t care. Dating is just something someone does. It’s not a feeling, it’s an action.”
He laughed. “Roy, have you been reading books on relationships? Because in all the years I’ve been coming here, you’ve never given me any advice before.”
Roy shrugged. “You’ve never needed it until now.”
“Point taken. I can’t promise that Kollette and I will see each other again, but I will think about what you said.”
“Can you do me a favor?” Roy asked.
“Of course. What do you need?”
“When we go inside, don’t look so damn happy. I want Mabel to think I gave you a firm talking to.”
“Why?”
“Because she told me to. And if you go in smiling, I’m the one who is getting the lecture.”
Ethan laughed and then he said, “No problem. One scowl coming up. And how long do I have to look this way?”
“I’d say till morning. That should do it.”
“You know Roy, I’ve learned a lot about you from this talk.”
“See. You can learn a lot and never ask any questions. Now let’s go back inside. I’m freezing out here.”
Ethan followed him out of the barn and sure enough Mabel was watching from the window. Wiping the smile off his face he put his head down and headed to the cabin. The more he tried to scowl, the more he wanted to laugh.
Damn it Kollette. Look what you have done to me. I want to be pissed, and all I can do is laugh. You really have fucked with my head.