From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

"Sherman, let's go! Don't waste your breath on people like her," Karen snapped, grabbing Sherman by the arm.

Sherman gave a small nod and followed her, leaving Rebecca scrambling after them.

"No! Grandma, please, don't go! I'm begging you, please forgive me!" Rebecca pleaded, chasing at their heels.

But Karen didn't even look back.

Smack.

She slammed the car door in Rebecca's face.

The driver started the engine, and all Rebecca could do was stand there as a cloud of dust settled around her.

"Ah!"

A guttural cry tore from her throat. Rebecca collapsed, sobbing in utter despair.

In the car, Karen glanced at Sherman, worry creasing her brow. "Listen to me, you stubborn boy! Don't let that manipulative girl Rebecca fool you. I only accept Ann as my granddaughter-in-law, got it?"

She'd seen enough schemers in her day, and she wasn't about to let Sherman get tangled up with one. Truth be told, her nerves had been especially on edge ever since she'd read that romance novel last week-the one where the male lead was completely duped by a conniving vixen.

girl suffered endlessly-betrayed, heartbroken, humiliated. And the worst part? In the end, the heroine actually forgave the idiot who'd

could, she'd have jumped right into the pages to knock some sense into the heroine and give the male lead

like that-sweet on the outside, rotten underneath. She lied without blinking and would even throw her own parents under the bus if it meant marrying into the Christensen family. Karen's biggest fear was that Sherman would end up like Daniel from that book: blind to the truth

would not allow

fixed Sherman with a fierce look. "If you ever so much as misunderstand Ann, or treat her badly, I swear-I'll knock some sense into that thick skull of yours, break both

eyebrow. Grandma love,

listening to me?" Karen demanded, punctuating her words with

fingered the cross around

response. Wait a second. Had she heard that right? My God. For once he hadn't launched into

That never getting married.

only mean one thing: Sherman was truly falling

She stifled a laugh behind her hand-wouldn't do to jinx things if

her. She turned to Sherman, her tone sharp. "By the way, what's going on with that

brow furrowed. "What

on Daniel's little visit, recounting how he'd come by just to spread nasty rumors about

his expression darkened, a dangerous glint

stand up for Ann. She's a wonderful girl, and I won't sit by

around his cross. "Don't worry. I'll take care

nodded in satisfaction. "Good. I'm counting on