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.

against the real heroine, and the poor girl suffered endlessly-betrayed,

to dust reading that nonsense. If she could, she'd have jumped right into the pages to knock some sense into the heroine and give the male lead a swift

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 and hopelessly

not allow

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 your legs, and

raised an eyebrow. Grandma

me?" Karen demanded, punctuating her

the cross around

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

That never getting married.

thing: Sherman

nearly made her giddy, but Karen kept her excitement in check. She stifled a laugh behind her hand-wouldn't do to jinx things if her future granddaughter-in-law heard her cackling

with that Robinson boy? Did he lose his mind or what? Do

brow furrowed. "What did he

visit, recounting how he'd come by just

expression darkened, a dangerous glint flickering in

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

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

nodded in satisfaction. "Good. I'm