Page 104 of Taken By Storm

Levi studied the man’s face. Herb and Dad were fishing buddies, the two frequently casting lines into the pond on the edge of Herb’s property. If he weren’t so close to Herb, he wouldn’t admit his suspicions, but he trusted the man. “Yeah. I do. The Grovers have made no secret about their desire to expand their horse farm.”

“They want to compete with the big dogs, train horses for Triple Crown,” Dad added.

“That’s a pretty serious allegation, Rex,” Herb said to Levi’s dad, though he didn’t sound exactly surprised. Looked like it wasn’t just the Storm family who wasn’t fond of the mayor.

“Which is why we’re not making it,” Levi stressed. “You willing to set up a payment plan for the Mills family, Herb?”

Herb nodded. “Of course I am. Have Tim—or Kasi—call me.”

The fact Herb knew to include Kasi in that invitation told Levi that word was spreading about who was really running the farm.

“I’ll do that.”

Herb shook his hand, and then Dad’s. “Fishing Saturday?” Herb asked Dad.

Dad nodded. “I’ll bring the beer.”

“Good.”

Once they stepped back out into the early morning sunshine, Dad turned to Levi. “What’s next?” he asked.

“I’ve got a plan, but I’m going to need the support of the entire family.”

“Sounds like we need a meeting,” Dad said with a grin.

Chapter Seventeen

Kasi had to hand it to Levi. He’d known exactly the right thing to do last night when he dropped her off and told her to sleep. Yesterday, she’d been an emotional wreck, too shattered inside to piece together a single thought.

This morning, she’d woken up surprisingly refreshed, despite the fact she had zero answers to…well…anything. For some reason, that didn’t feel as overwhelming today as it had yesterday.

Probably because she knew Levi was coming over tonight and she’d decided to talk to him about all of it. If there was one thing she had figured out after her shockingly restful sleep, it was that she couldn’t do this alone, and while she worried about leaning on him too much, she wasn’t going to let that hold her back anymore because she was drowning and she needed help.

Kasi leaned down, drawing a towel over the pie she’d held back special for him. Her baked good selection was painfully small this morning, limited to the few things she’d managed to make this morning. Regardless, she was determined that Levi was going to get his pie.

When she stood and turned back toward the counter, she was startled to discover someone standing on the other side of it.

“Oh. Mrs. Grover,” Kasi said. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Mrs. Grover didn’t reply. Or smile. Or even say hello.

She’d had too much time to consider all the shitty things that would accompany marrying Scottie Grover. So many, Kasi’s list could fill a notebook, but number one would be his mother.

Because she was a bitch with a capital B.

Remi had dubbed her Mrs. Cuntcake, a name that was securely stuck in Kasi’s mind. So stuck, she was terrified she might let it slip one day, saying it to the nasty woman.

Mrs. Grover’s gaze slid down Kasi, taking in her cutoff shorts and faded T-shirt, then back up again. When her eyes landed on the hand Kasi was resting on her iPad—and narrowed—Kasi knew exactly what she saw. Or didn’t see.

“Where’s the ring my son gave you?”

It was sitting on her nightstand. She’d considered calling Scottie to swing by and get it today, but she’d put it off, not in a hurry to see the asshole so soon again. She wasn’t a hundred percent sure she wouldn’t punch him in the throat for lying about Levi’s family pressing charges against Keith. “I didn’t accept his proposal.”

“Yet.” Mrs. Grover’s chin tilted, and she sniffed with clear disapproval. “That was my mother’s ring. Don’t lose it.” The woman glanced around the stand, and it occurred to Kasi this was the first time Scottie’s mother had ever stopped in. She’d never visited the original stand, either.

“Is there something you’re looking for?” Kasi asked. “Today’s pie special is pecan. I only have a couple left, and we also have?—”

“I’m not here to buy anything,” Mrs. Grover interjected, as if the idea of buying something from Kasi was completely preposterous. “I came to invite you to tea next Saturday. I have a few ideas about the wedding to discuss with you.”

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