Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

“I need to talk to you guys about something."

Barely had Tarquin finished his sentence before he felt danger in the air. He glanced up, heart skipping a beat.

Bernard had leapt down from the oak tree, eyes sharp and face set in a scowl. Tarquin, ever alert, dodged the old man's sudden attack just in time.

But Bernard was relentless, moving with surprising speed for someone his age! Tarquin's brows shot up in surprise as he danced backward, barely keeping up.

This little old guy's not messing around, he thought, forcing himself to focus. But it was clear-he was struggling.

There's always someone better out there, Tarquin realized. Sure, he was good at making money, but when it came to fighting, Bernard had him beat by a mile.

Among normal folks, Tarquin was pretty handy. Next to Bernard, though? He might as well be swinging at shadows.

He just couldn't keep up.

After only a few moves, Bernard landed a solid blow.

Tarquin grunted in pain, biting back a curse. He could tell Bernard hadn't used full strength, but still his shoulder felt like it was about to split in two.

If Bernard had really gone for it, Tarquin would be toast.

But Bernard wasn't done. With a cold stare, he came at Tarquin again!

From the sidelines, Evan hollered,

lay a finger on him, my mom's gonna bawl her eyes out! That's her

Tarquin: "..."

to Evan. "Isn't Elysia's precious

dad's part of the club now! He's Mom's new favorite, and if you hurt him, she'll cry so much you'll never hear the end of it. No one can calm her down-not even with

you! What if she jabs you with that crazy knitting needle of hers again and you end up stuck in bed for a

Bernard's mouth twitched. "...."

Tarquin's did too. "..."

sound like he'd just been compared to Elysia's

arms behind his back, and gave Tarquin a squinty, appraising

a bit clueless, but her taste in men's not

not as good-looking as me, but you'll

you're good enough

look sturdy enough. Overall... not bad. I'll

in the air,

when Evan used to

word in, Bernard

no match for him right now!

if he ever bullies

mom

Who'll

you can't defend her?

up for Elysia if