the crib rail with one hand. The knuckles turned white...and stayed white.
“But you didn’t stay away.”
“No. Once I found out he was dead, I thought the coast would be clear to come home.” That might have been a mistake, too. “But he threatened my family’s business—”
“How?” he asked, his eyes narrowing as if he suspected a lie.
“Jacob,” she said, shaking her head at him, “your grandfather owned half the town. He’d rented us the land Lola’s is on for my entire life but never would allow my mother or grandmother to buy it. I suspect it was so he could use it to his advantage if the opportunity arose.”
She tried to breathe around the anger that rose at the memory. “He threatened to shut down the business. Everything my mother and grandmother own is tied up in Lola’s. Not to mention that their house is on that land, too. So I agreed, and the men left. Then I cashed out some savings and used it to move away.”
Jacob smirked. “Serves him right.”
“When I heard about his death, I thought—well, we all thought—he couldn’t hurt us anymore. I just hadn’t figured out what to do about you yet.”
“And you think this is the answer?”
“It’s the only one I’ve got.” Might as well be honest about that. “Let’s face it, Jacob. You have money and a damn good lawyer. But James didn’t own me, and neither do you. If you want to be part of Carter’s life, stop throwing your weight around and work with me.”
“Who put you in charge? You haven’t exactly proved yourself trustworthy.”
Unease rippled through her body. She knew she’d had good reasons for her choices, but when she looked at it from his point of view... “I’m not denying you access to Carter out of anger or revenge, Jacob. I simply want to know that he’s in good hands. That you’re willing to make a place for a baby in your life. Not hand him over to a well-paid nanny.”
His eyes searched hers. “How can I be sure he’s in good hands with you?”
“I— Well—” Words failed her for a moment.
“Face it, KC. You ran halfway across the country to hide my child from me. I’m not the only one with something to prove. The question is, how?”
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