Page 107 of Middle Ground

Shaking my head, I say, “Neither do you.”

Felix stalks across the shop, back toward us. He makes a move in Ilsa’s direction, but I step in his path. He sneers. Gun or not, I’m not letting him get anywhere near her. He’s already hurt her enough.

Before I have time to react, he swings the butt of the gun up and into the side of my head. I stumble back a step, the force throwing my centre of gravity off, and knock into another table. More planters crash to the floor, but I can hardly hear the sound over the ringing in my ear.

My temple throbs, and when I reach up to touch it, I hiss at the sharp pain. My hand comes away covered in blood. I can feel it trailing down the side of my face and soaking into the collar of my shirt.

Ilsa gasps. “Jackson!”

“I’m fine,” I say quickly. She places a hand on my arm, turning me to face her. “Ilsa, it’s okay.”

Her chin dips. “It’s not.” Lower, she whispers, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’ll fix this.”

I shake my head. This isn’t hers to fix, and I don’t want her doing something rash because of hermisplaced guilt. Whatever happens next, we have to be strategic. Felix doesn’t seem to be operating within reason.

Felix pulls something off the front counter and shoves it at Ilsa. Her phone, I realize.

“Text her,” he demands.

“Please, Felix,” she begs. “Don’t do this.”

His stare is unrelenting. The anger in his eyes never falters. “Text. Her. I want our daughter here.Now.”

Ilsa fumbles to take the phone. The threat of the gun in his hands feels heavy as he watches her. Ensures she does as she was told. He would know—if we tried to run, tried to call for help. We wouldn’t stand a chance, and then the town would be left unsuspecting of the danger that lurks in its midst.

“Who?” My gaze swings from Felix and then back to Ilsa. “Who is he talking about?”

Her watery gaze meets mine, and even before she speaks, ice is filling my veins. Because I know what she’s about to say.

“Meyer.”

CHAPTER 37

MEYER

Today isa busy day at the inn.

I look forward to kicking up my feet and watching a movie tonight, curled into Jackson’s side. If the Meyer from April could see me now, she’d be laughing. But a lot has changed since then.I’vechanged since then. Or more accurately, I’ve given myself permission to let my guard down. To fall.

Pippa drops into the chair opposite me with a sigh. “My feet hurt,” she whines. “I love you, but I’m kind of excited to not see you for the next two days.”

I laugh. “What are you and Attie getting up to on your days off?” I ask.

“Atticus has decided he wants to learn how to fish, so Declan and I are gonna take him out to the lake. They can play with the fish while I read.”

“Not a fan of scales?” I tease.

She shudders. “Not in the slightest. Besides, my dadwouldn’t have taught me to fish, even if I had wanted to. So Declan is the only one that knows how.”

Not for the first time, my blood begins to boil at the mention of Pippa and Declan’s father.

I wave a hand, letting go of my anger. “Let the boys play. You relax.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. When I pull it out, I find a text on the screen.

Ilsa

Hi Meyer. Can you come to the shop? I have some questions about some flowers and I need your opinion.