Grim and Bear It by Juliette Cross

Author:Juliette Cross [Cross, Juliette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Adult
Amazon: B0B145XXS9
Barnesnoble: B0B145XXS9
Goodreads: 61160671
Publisher: Juliette Cross Publishing LLC
Published: 2023-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

~CLARA~

* * *

“Piers was just too stubborn.” Evelyn sipped her Earl Grey with mint from the pink English Chippendale China teacup.

I loved this China pattern. I’d bought it from an estate sale on eBay and had it specially shipped from the family in Maine running the sale. Apparently, it had been in the family for decades from when they lived in England. But none of the grandchildren wanted it, the seller had told me. I didn’t understand how anyone could throw away something so beautiful just because it was old and had a few chips here and there.

“Of course, he was stubborn,” snapped Martha. “He’s the beast character. What did you expect him to be? Friendly and charming?”

“Settle down, Martha.” Deborah passed her a plate. “Here, eat a brownie. That’ll make you feel better.”

“I don’t feel bad at all.” Martha gave Deborah one of her looks. “I’m just confused why Evelyn didn’t like the stubborn hero who happens to be based on the beast from the fairytale.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t like him. I’m just saying he could’ve been less ornery.”

“Hmph.” Martha stuffed her mouth with the brownie. “Mm. These are good, Clara.”

“Thank you. I did a lot of baking this week.” I glanced at Henry.

His dark gaze was laser-focused on me. I don’t think he’d moved from that position since we’d sat down. My tummy fluttered.

“Martha’s right,” I said to the group, feeling Henry’s nearness on my right like a warm caress. “The main characters definitely follow what we’d expect for Belle and the Beast. I think that’s what made the tragic, climactic incident with Linnet so devastating.”

“I’m not afraid to admit that I cried at that part,” said Fran. “When she fell sick and she was wishing he’d find her, and he was tearing up the countryside to save her.”

I blinked back tears, Fran’s emotions bleeding heavily into the room and onto me. Clearing my throat, I added, “That part always gets me, too, Fran. I get emotional every single time, but more at the end at the swimming hole. When he’s trying to convince her she’s worthy of love, of his love, no matter what she looks like.”

“Oh, yes. I cried on that part, too,” added Deborah, picking up an oatmeal raisin cookie.

“Me, too,” added Fran.

Martha turned a sardonic look toward Henry. “What about you, Mr. Blackwater? Did you cry, too?”

As usual, he took her goading easily. He looked so handsome, sitting there with one ankle crossing the knee of his other leg. I loved that he appeared so much more confident in the book club than he had the first time.

“I think the ending scene between Piers and Linnet perfectly exemplifies one of the main themes of the novel.” He sidestepped Martha like a champ. “Like Piers had to deal with his own injury, Linnet is faced with bodily imperfection from the sickness that changes her perception of herself. Makes her bitter and angry, self-loathing. And like she did for Piers, he is the only one who can make her see the reality.

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