Page 16 of At the Edge with You

In the moment before a tornado hits, everything goes quiet.

That’s how quiet it is in my grandfather’s study as Jami’s words settle like a bomb in the room. I’m breathless, my heart pounding so loudly, and blood rushes to my ears. I look over at Kitty, an expression of utter shock and confusion all over her beautiful face. She glances at me, and all I can do is stare at her. How could Phillip do this?

He’s forcing me to stay here and run the rink. And if I don’t, not only do I lose my money, but Jett loses something that is obviously important to him. I know he sees this as his chance to be more than what his name identifies him as. He’s always wished his mom didn’t keep her maiden name, that he had been given his father’s last name, because then he would have had a chance to be someone different. The Cook family is known for their struggles, money-wise, and living on the other side of the tracks. I know they’re good people, but a lot of the upper class of Thistlebrook looks down on them. Especially my parents.

None of this makes sense, and when I look over at the tornado also known as Jett Cook, he roars, “Over my dead fucking body!”

Dad preens. “I love the sound of that.”

Jett’s glare has my dad cowering as Kitty says, “No, that won’t happen. I know Phillip wanted Jett to have the Ice Thistle. This has to be a mistake.”

Jami shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but it’s not. He was of sound mind and told me this is for the best.” She turns her gaze on Jett. “I fought him for you because I know Ms. Winthrop doesn’t live here, nor does she want to be here, but he said he had to do it this way to make sure Kitty was taken care of.”

Her words hit me in the gut, and one look at Jett lets me know he feels the same. Grandpa’s love for my grandma knew no bounds. He didn’t care who he inconvenienced as long as Kitty was taken care of. Tears blur my vision as I look down at the letter in my hand, and I wonder what it says. I wonder if he’llexplain it all. But really, what can he say? I know why he did this. For Kitty—and I can’t fault him for it.

But can I move to Thistlebrook for a year?

Going against my grandpa’s wishes, I tear open the letter, and his handwriting has fresh tears streaming down my face when I spot the nickname he had for me. He didn’t call me snowflake often, but when he did, it was during times when he was truly proud.

“Fable, darling, you are supposed to read it on your own,” Kitty chides, but I ignore her, focusing on his words.

Snowflake,

I know that while I never showed you how much I loved you, I did. So much. You are Kitty 2.0, and watching you grow, skate, and live is an honor I will always hold close to my heart. I know you are probably upset with me, wondering how I could ever make you stay somewhere you don’t want to be. I am truly sorry, but I need you to be there for Kitty. She will struggle, and she needs you. You’ve always been her sunshine, and I need you to help her heal. I hate to hold money over your head or even hold back Jett getting the Thistle, but you have to understand, I love your grandmother, and I need to know she’ll be okay.

I know you; I know your heart. You won’t leave Kitty behind, and you definitely won’t take Jett’s dream from him. Ever since he came back to Thistlebrook, he has beenmy right-hand man. The Ice Thistle wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for him. I need you to grow it and make it even bigger for him. Do what you did at other rinks and make our skating program a contender with those around the States. I want him to have everything he ever wanted, but he needs you to do it. I believe in you. Don’t ever forget how much I love you, my snowflake.

Don’t let the storm get you.

Feel, my girl.

And shine.

Grandpa

I cover my mouth to keep in the sob as I lean over, hugging my knees with my arms. I feel a hand along my back, and then I hear Kitty’s sweet voice. “It’s okay, darling. I’m here.”

Aren’t I supposed to be saying that to her? I draw in a deep breath before I sit up, meeting her moss-green eyes that are swimming in tears. She cups my face, rubbing my cheek with love in her gaze. With her voice low, she says, “You do what’s best for you.”

Another sob breaks free as I shake my head. She always did what was best for me, and Grandpa for her.

It’s my job to do the same.

I lean over to look at Jett, who is still fuming, his hands shaking along his tree-trunk thighs. “Looks like the team is back together.”

I wait for him to smile, to agree, but Jett does neither.

Instead, he stands and storms out of the room.

CHAPTER

EIGHT

Jett

JT,

The stuff to fix the wall is in my office closet on the bottom shelf, by the holiday pucks. I know either my house has a hole in the wall or your office does. Hell, wouldn’t put it past you to hit both.

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