Page 88 of Abdominal Snowman

“What do you mean?” she asked, blinking over at him innocently. “It’s beautiful here, why would I make him leave?” Sage replied, as if the idea was outrageous.

Tobin hummed, his fake smile tightening. “You say that without having heard the offer. I could have my assistant set up a meeting...”

“Is this the same assistant you paid to break Brian Simon’s pipes and ruin his last chance to get out from under your thumb?” she asked, turning toward Tobin with a frightening smile of her own. Tobin took a step back, suspicion flashing across his face before he settled back into his usual smile.

“Why, you want a meeting?” he asked, avoiding her question entirely.

Two could play at that game. “Actually, Tobin, I received a very interesting tidbit about your... ‘purchases’ in the area. So, like the amazing reporter I am, I did my research.” Sage smiled at the way Tobin’s face paled.

Her confidence growing, she took a step closer, continuing, “It’s crazy what happens when a few rumors get spread. And all it took was an internet search.”

Everyone else was too focused on the ice skaters, the vendors, the kids. No one was the wiser of what she was doing. Except Soren. She felt the warmth of his gaze on her, and it gave her even more strength to finish this.

Tobin scrambled back, darting his eyes back and forth at the realization he’d been caught like a fly in Sage’s web.

Good. How’s it feel, asshole?

“Harassment usually carries a fine, maybe even a prison sentence if enough people come forward. Then again, I’m not very familiar with the laws here in Vermont.” Sage waved her hand, advancing upon his retreating form.

“Or Maine. Or… Oh, what was the other one?” She pretended to rack her brain. “Oh yeah!” she exclaimed cheerily. “I’m sure all the laws differ between California, North Dakota, Utah, Arizona, Virginia, and gosh, there are just so many I can’t remember them all off the top of my head. I’m so forgetful!” She laughed. “It’s a good thing I have a list,” she said, shaking her head with a triumphant smile.

“You... You have no idea what you’re talking about,” he hissed, face morphing into a seething sneer.

“Oh, but see, Tobin. I do. I really do.” She tilted her head at him. “When people are angry, they talk about it. They share it. And that information is so easy to find on the internet. There are hundreds and hundreds of people to corroborate and come forward as witnesses in a trial, chomping at the chance to get their revenge for their homes, their families, and their towns.”

She stepped closer, until he refused to move, and then she moved even closer so Tobin couldn’t miss any of her gritted words. “If you don’t back the fuck off of this town, leave these people alone, and return what is legally theirs, I’ll see to it that your reputation not only here, but in all your other little money grabbing adventures comes to an end. I wonder what poor old Mrs. Rathmusen would say if she were to learn you obtained her lands in Utah illegally?” Sage crossed her arms in front of her, and even though Tobin towered over her, he was insignificant in the face of facts.

“You will leave Soren alone. If I even see so much as your pointy nose around the corner from him, I’m calling the biggest news station in the state. And with what I have? Oh, they’ll listen.”

Tobin snapped his jaw closed. She watched him consider a response, watched him decide he had nowhere to go. No fire to fight with. Narrowing his eyes at Sage, he nodded once before whirling around in a huff.

She watched him until he was out of sight in the parking lot.

Good riddance.

“Did it work?” Soren’s voice made her jump and whirl around, and she found him leaning against the far post of the pergola, waiting. His gaze was fixed on where Tobin had stood.

“It worked,” she exclaimed with the biggest grin. “You mean you didn’t listen?”

Soren rolled his eyes. “Fine, you caught me.”

With a gasp, Sage announced, “Well, you’re going to have to relive it when I tell you all about it once we get home.” As the word slipped from her mouth, realization dawned on her.

This was home to her, more so than the sandy beaches she’d known all her life.

And there Soren stood, oblivious to her revelation.

Sage peered up to Soren, her hand gently drawing his face to hers as his icy eyes flicked from where he watched Tobin walk away.

It took Soren a second to process her words, but she could see when the realization struck him too.

Home.

He grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist and taking her for a little spin. As they came to a stop, Soren pulled Sage into a blistering kiss.

This was her home. Here in Soren’s arms, in this town, half giddy from the high of Tobin’s retreat.

The soft lights hung above the pergola, haloing Soren’s figure. And right then, he seemed downright angelic, taking her breath away. Sage couldn’t deny it anymore. She lo...