Page 72 of Princess and the Ox (The Colby Brothers 1)

She glanced at her grandfather and knew she had to approach the subject delicately. “Today is the official ground breaking for the new school.”

Of which she received no reply.

“I was wondering if perhaps as town mayor you might make an appearance?”

Gerald Snowden lifted his cup of coffee and took a long sip before putting it back down with leisure on the polished table surface. When at last he raised his eyes to stare hard across the table at his granddaughter, his voice was low and without emotion.

“I have no intention of displaying any form of support. I have opposed the building of this school and will continue to do so. And as my granddaughter I expect you to obey my decision and stay away from the ceremony as well.”

Erika automatically nodded and dropped her chin. However, internally did not agree. After years of obeying him, and with the addition of her guilt for disappointing him recently, had her habitually concurring.

She stared at her plate for what felt like eternity. Then something deep inside stirred. Something that had laid dormant for years. Something that had been submissive for far too long.

A new Erika lifted her chin. Not so much as a new Erika, but the real Erika. “Sometimes change is good, Grandfather.”

“I, of all people, know that. I shaped and molded this town to become the vision I saw.”

“But this is everybody’s town. We should all be able to contribute something to it. Jay says—“

”Jay,” he barked, cutting her off swiftly. “Has done nothing but fill your head with ridiculous ideas.”

“That’s not true.”

“I should have known you would have inherited your father’s feebleness with logic.”

Erika literally flinched. Not only had he insulted her father, but also the unexpected attack on her, cut to the core. With a start, she realized that she had known all these years what he truly thought of her. Never did he value her thoughts or opinions. The only thing Gerald Snowden cared about was how much he could control her.

“My father was a wonderful and intelligent man.”

“Your father was a fool. As like Jay Colby.”

“Jay cares about the people of this town,” she said. “He cares about Placid. He only wants what’s best for them. How can you sincerely disapprove of children receiving an education?”

“I will make that decision without the aid of Jay Colby. He has been far too insolent for years and I will no longer tolerate his insubordination.”

She frowned as she watched the bitterness etch across his face and with a start realized that it had long gone from being an issue with free schooling to an issue with Jay Colby.

“You don’t own Jay, Grandfather. You don’t even employ him. You do not have the right to demand his obedience.”

He suddenly slammed his fist on the table. “I demand his respect as his superior.”

Even frightened by the sudden display of rage, Erika shook her head. “No, Grandfather, you must earn it.”

“I will not sit here and be insulted by my own granddaughter,” he told her. “You will obey me and not attend the ceremony.”

“I’m sorry, Grandfather, but I will attend.”

There was silence from the other end of the table. Then at last, he spoke. “You have been disrespectful to me for the last time. I will not hear another word on the subject.”

“I am dreadfully sorry you feel that way, Grandfather. As it was not my intention to hurt you, but I must be there today.”

“So that you can be with that boy!” he hurled at her unexpectedly with venom.

She blinked from the sudden outburst. “I respect Jay’s stand on free schooling and admire him for his tenacity to believe in this town even when it seemed impossible. He is a fine man and the brother of my future husband. I have no cause to wish him ill.”

“Your future husband?” His dark eyes became even darker as he glared at her across the breakfast table. “You will not marry a Colby.”

Erika winced. “I would like your respect, but will not base it on my decision to marry or not. I will marry Ryan Colby.”

---