Page 128 of Sven

“I went to the organization. They said there was nothing you could do.”

“Darlin’, you don’t need to go to the organization. You come to me. You’re my family, and this is the most important thing.”

“Yes, Granddad.”

“Now, we’re going to fix this. I mean, the narrative writes itself.”

“What do you mean?”

“The granddaughter of Mr. Roper, who read books to the kids and taught them about feelings, was fired for reading a book about families to children.”

Natalie gave a rough chuckle. “I mean, the irony is there for sure.”

“Now, I’ve been wanting to go after those book-banning biddies for a long time now, but I stayed quiet at the urging of the foundation—but not anymore. It is time the Roper organization made a stand.”

“I didn’t want this to be your problem.”

“Did you even tell your parents?”

“No . . .” she said quietly. “They’re in Costa Rica, and I didn’t want to bother them.”

“Natalie Grace,” he said firmly. “Are you telling me these hateful people came after you, and you didn’t go to anyone in your family for help?”

“I didn’t want to be a burden,” she said softly.

He sighed over the phone, and she was just about to cry again. “Darlin’, you are never a burden to me. I love you.”

“I love you too, Granddad.”

“Now, let’s stick it to those hateful Mothers Fighting For Freedom and show them that hatred will never win. Are you with me?”

“Yeah, I’m with you.”

She let out a breath and with that breath she blew away the past six months and everything that had gone to shit in them.

“Is there someone I can talk to in PR or legal? I have an idea if you’re open to it.”

“Umm yeah... they are actually here right now,” she said as she headed back into the great room with everyone. “I’m going to give you to Hillary. She’s the head of Magic PR.”

“Okay, I love you, darlin’. I’m going to talk to you real soon.”

“Hillary, my granddad wants to talk to you.”

“Holy shit. Is that Mr. Roper?” Alice asked with wide eyes.

Natalie gave a small chuckle and nodded.

“He wants to talk to me?” Hillary asked. She’d never seen her starstruck, but she’d learned her granddad had that effect on people.

Natalie nodded and handed Hillary the phone. Before taking it, Hillary wiped her hands on her pants and smoothed her hair, even though this was not a video call.

“This is Hillary,” she said, trying to sound as professional as possible.

And as Natalie watched this group of people something about them clicked inside of her. When Sven came and slipped his arms around her waist, she sank into him. It was going to be okay; she wasn’t sure how, but with these people and her grandfather involved, she knew it was all going to be okay.

44

Natalie

---