Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1272

The old man and the little boy were chatting away, so caught up in their own world that nobody noticed the look on Tarquin’s face.

The old man leaned in toward Evan and said,

“Listen, Evan, you remember what Bernard always says: Maybe your fists can’t fix everything, but they sure can fix the kind of people who start the trouble in the first place!”

“Doesn’t matter who it is—if someone’s messing with your mom, you go all out and give them a real good wallop!”

Evan balled his tiny fists and nodded so hard his hair flopped,

“Yeah! If anyone bullies my mom, I’ll knock their socks off! I don’t care who it is!”

The old man grinned, “Even if it’s your dad.”

Evan replied without a hint of hesitation, “Of course! My mom’s the most important!”

Tarquin: “…”

For a second, he honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He was touched that his little boy loved his mom so much.

But on the other hand, he felt a pang of sadness—his own son didn’t seem to care about him at all.

Tarquin just stood there, somewhere between a smile and a sigh, and glanced over at Bernard.

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, as if he’d just dodged a bullet.

If he hadn’t built a real relationship with Elysia, what kind of mess would he be in right now?

One, two, three, four, five… six!

That’s right, six heavy-hitters, all out for his hide!

Just the thought made Tarquin swallow nervously. And he’d always thought of himself as a brave guy, but even he had to admit—this was terrifying.

He was just an ordinary guy. There was no way he could go up against a squad of geniuses and powerhouses like this.

Then his thoughts flashed to a certain crowd…

All those busybodies in Jindale City who used to gossip about Elysia, sneering about her raising kids out in the sticks with a bunch of “no-good nobodies.”

Well, envy is a real disease, Tarquin thought. Those folks must be terminal, to have the nerve to say that.

Nobodies? Ha! Any one of these six legends could stroll into town and wipe the floor with their entire clan!

Tarquin replied, “You have my word.”

He respected these old guys, partly because of Elysia—her family was his family now.

But also because these men had reputations and accomplishments that commanded respect. They were true legends and patriots.

Bernard spoke up, “So, what brings you to us today?”

Tarquin got down to business,

“Elysia and Grandma are tidying up at home. I came out to ask you and Evan for help—there’s still some of those poachers left to deal with.”

Bernard finally remembered the unfinished business and asked,

“What did Grandma want done about it?”

“…She didn’t say. She left it in my hands.”

Bernard looked surprised, “You’re handling it?”

Back in the old days, it was always Gerald who took care of things when trouble came to the mountains.