Page 65 of From Grumpy to Forever
“I know what you’re up to.”
The voice cut through the air like the snap of a brittle branch.
I stopped so suddenly, Lauren jerked against my hand and almost fell over before she broke away.
“Avery.” Jacob’s voice was different. The way he spoke my name was different than before. It was demanding and colder than usual.
I took a breath, letting it fill my lungs before exhaling. It was only then that I turned slowly, my pulse thudding against my ribs. He stood close. Too close. His smile was practiced and forced, but it was the look in his eyes that stilled me.
“Jacob.” I assessed him. “Nice that you could make it to the Sprout n’ Shout. These town events are?—”
“Cut the crap, Avery. I know what you’re up to.”
Anger curled through me. This man had made my life hell for too long, and judging by the look on his face, he was poised to do even more damage. This time in front of the entire town. Still, I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten to me.
“I’m shopping for plants.” I waved in Lauren’s direction. “Lauren has been using her expertise to help me pick out some new plants for the inn and replace the?—”
“I know you’re lying, Avery.”
Ice ran down my spine. “What are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” He took a step toward me. His lips were twisted up into a sick version of a smile. His eyes flashed with hatred.
I never did understand where his anger toward me came from. It couldn’t be only because Grandma and Grandpa left me the inn. This had started years earlier.
“You and your husband.” His words were full of disdain. “You’re lying. And you’ve been lying from the beginning. And I can prove it.”
Finally, I broke out of my trance. I needed to defuse him quickly. Everyone in town was watching. I couldn’t afford to let anyone hear his crazy theories.
Theories that held far too much truth to be safe.
I held out my hand. “Why don’t we go talk somewhere?”
“I don’t think so.” Ignoring my hand, he shook his head and glared at me. “We can talk right here. Or are you hiding something from all these nice people?” Jacob waved his arms around to encompass the crowd that had at some point formed a circle around us.
There was no getting away from this. My heart raced and I couldn’t feel my toes, but somehow I stood my ground.
“I’m not hiding anything.”
“Bullshit!”
“Jacob. I don’t know what you think you know, but I?—”
“I know you and Reid aren’t really married.”
Someone in the crowd gasped, but I didn’t take my eyes off Jacob.
“That’s not true,” I said calmly. “Judge Baker married us himself and?—”
“Whatever.” He practically spat the word at me. “It might be legal,” he used his fingers to make air quotes, “but that doesn’t mean it’s real.”
“You’re not making any sense, Jacob.” I hoped my voice sounded calm and patient despite the panic that was very quickly bubbling up inside me.
“Enough.” He took another step toward me as he raised his voice. “I’m not stupid, Avery. And, quite frankly, the fact that you think I’m as gullible as all these people is insulting.”
Another gasp, along with a few grunts of protest at being called gullible sounded around me. But it didn’t deter Jacob.
“I don’t know why they gave it to you,” he said with distaste. “But no doubt you conned our grandparents into thinking that you were their favorite somewhere along the line. The only saving grace is that they were just old school enough to make sure you couldn’t have it on your own.” His eyes flared.
