I silently wished for Grant to lose it. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d pitched a fit when he didn’t get his way. “Okay. Do you think they’ll call me to the stand?”

Crosby rubbed a hand up and down my back, the warmth and comfort of the movement seeping into my bones. “I don’t think so, but you never know. Just stay calm and tell the truth.”

I nodded just as the large, wooden doors to the courtroom opened. My stomach pitched. There was no sign of anyone on the Abbots’ side of the room, yet that only amped up the adrenaline running through my system. Crosby ushered me forward, keeping a hand on the small of my back. He motioned for the rest of the crew and me to sit on a bench behind the little fence that separated the onlookers from the lawyers, judge, and the other staff.

Ford, Bell, and Caelyn slid into the front row, but I found myself not wanting to leave the warmth of Crosby’s presence. I gave his hand a quick squeeze. “Good luck.”

He winked. “You know I don’t need luck, darlin’.”

I scowled at him. “Don’t call me that. I have a name.” But inside, I was fighting back a laugh. The man was trying to piss me off so I’d forget about being worried and find my mad.

“All right. Brown Eyes, it is.”

I gave my head a little shake and took a seat next to Caelyn, who immediately grabbed my hand. I was grateful for the reassurance. To not be sitting alone in the courtroom. The sound of shoes on the tile floor had me straightening in my seat.

Grant gave a snort of derision as he passed with his lawyer. “She’ll be out of The Gables in no time.”

Caelyn gripped my hand harder at his words. I kept my gaze focused straight ahead, pretending that I couldn’t hear or see him. But it didn’t stop the anxiety that took root in my stomach. Crosby had warned me the judge might require me to leave my home while the trial was underway. Where I’d go if that happened, I had no idea.

“All rise.” A bailiff’s voice cut through the murmurs in the room, and I rose on instinct. This time, I couldn’t help it when my gaze drifted to the other side of the room, to the person trying to take my safe place away from me. Grant stared right at me. I couldn’t decipher what it was I saw in his expression. Part pity, part disdain likely. But whatever it was, it sent a shiver down my spine.