Chapter 8
Penelope
It is Wednesday morning, and I’ve been at the ranch for four days.
Somehow, this place is starting to feel like home.
Lily and Josh treat me like I’ve always belonged here, and Grace is slowly becoming a little sister I didn’t know I needed.
We talk every night before bed, sharing stories and secrets, and I’m starting to feel the weight of my past lift just a little.
Ethan teases me constantly, playful and easy, sometimes flirting in a way that makes Cas growl quietly whenever he’s around.
Dex doesn’t come over every day, but when he does he always tells me to visit him at the bar.
“You need to get out,” he says with a grin.
I nod, secretly waiting for the day my bruises fade enough that I won’t feel eyes on me, questioning what I’m not ready to answer.
Jude is here the most, though not always really present.
I’ve come to learn that he prefers being alone.
He loves his family quietly, laughing at their antics at dinner, but mostly he keeps to himself.
Horses and bulls seem to suit him better than humans, and sometimes I envy that ability to be so self-contained.
The morning sun streams through the kitchen windows, spilling golden light across the worn wooden table.
The smell of fresh coffee, sizzling bacon, and sweet pancakes wraps the room in warmth.
I sit with Josh and Lily, spoon in hand, feeling relaxed and at home.
Grace is finishing her breakfast, still animated as she gathers her backpack.
“Mornin’,” Cas pops in, carrying a pumpkin spice latte from Sugar and Spice. “There you go, your favorite.” He beams at me.
“You didn’t have to.” I take the cup from him, his fingers warm against mine. He’s been bringing me coffee and sweets every day and we sometimes talk on the porch after dinner.
“I know, but I want to.” He winks and turns to Lily.
“Hi, mama.” He hugs her.
“Hi, sugar. You spoiling our Penny again?” Cas smiles wickedly and shrugs.
“You’re here a lot these days,” Grace smirks, her eyes fixed on Cas.
“Just checking up on Penny,” he says softly, lifting his stetson and running a hand through his hair. Muscles straining under his sheriff’s suit.
I wonder if he has a six-pack under that shirt…
Penny! Head out of the gutter! Now!
I look up from his shirt and find his eyes on me, a smirk telling me he knows exactly what I was thinking.
“I’ve got to run or I’ll be late,” Grace says, hopping up. She gives me a quick hug. “See you later, Penny!”
“Gotta run too, I’m on patrol with Chris all day,” Cas says, tipping his hat at me. “See you later,” and he walks out.
Josh pours himself a cup of coffee and glances at me, his eyes gentle. “So… Penny. How are you liking Lander so far?”
I smile. “I really like it. The quiet, the nature, so many colors. And the people here are all so nice to me.”
He nods slowly, as if he understands more than I am saying. “Yeah. Lander tends to do that. Makes you appreciate a small town. Can I ask about your family? Your mom and your dad?”
My throat tightens. I take a breath. “I lost my mom when I was twelve. Cancer.” The word still hurts to say.
“After that, my dad just shut down. He started taking sleeping pills, barely got out of bed. It felt like I lost both of them the same day.” I swallow hard.
“My sister tried to hold things together for a while, but she could not. Drugs got her in the end, and she left when I turned eighteen.” My voice cracks. “We used to be happy. We used to be a real family. But when Mom died, everything else went with her.”
Josh leans forward, his broad shoulders grounding me.
“Penny.” His voice is soft, sorrowful. “I am so sorry. That is a lot for anyone, especially a kid. I wish we could have been there for you.” He gives me a small, comforting smile.
“But you are here now, and you need to know my family is your family too, if you want it to be. You do not have to be alone.”
Tears prick my eyes, and I blink quickly, trying to hold them back.
I swallow hard, my voice barely a whisper. “Thank you. That means more than I can say.”
Lily steps up behind me, placing a hand lightly on my shoulder. “We mean it, honey. You are part of this family now. You do not have to carry the weight of your past here. You can just be yourself and start building your life however you want.”
I manage a small smile. “Thank you, both of you. Really.”
We linger over breakfast, talking about everything and nothing, the B and B, Grace’s antics, the town, and how much life seems bigger than the small, painful box I had been trapped in.
Josh jokes about how Grace and I seem to get along, talking in her room every night, and tells me about some odd customers who came to the B&B the other day, making me laugh.
The kitchen feels alive, cozy, like home.
After coffee refills and Josh serving me more pancakes, he stands, stretching. “Work is waiting. We have a mare having her foal today, and Jude is already at the stables with the vet.” I smile. “Oh, that is so exciting!”
Josh grins and hugs me. “Why don’t you come by after lunch and help me name it?”
My smile grows. “I would love that.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Good. See you later, Penny.”
He kisses Lily on the cheek, and their love radiates warmth, making my chest ache in the best way. Lily shakes her head, blushing, and turns to me. “Any plans for today?” she asks.
“Um… is there a computer I could borrow? I want to look at the pictures I took with Grace Monday, if that is okay.”
Lily’s eyes light up. “Of course, sweetie. There is one in the little office corner. Make yourself comfortable. I will be nearby if you need anything.”
I carry my coffee mug over and settle into the chair, sunlight spilling across the desk. Clicking through the photos, I breathe in slowly. The mountains, the trails, Grace’s bright green eyes, the golden sunlight on the trees… my chest loosens a little.
“Those are stunning,” Lily says softly from behind me. I startle, turning to see her standing with a mug of coffee in her hands, warm sunlight catching the highlights in her curls. “You took these?” she asks, leaning closer.
“Yeah,” I say, a little self-conscious. “Grace and I drove out to the overlook on Monday. She is working on a photography project for school and needed help. It was fun teaching her, seeing her excitement as she captured the mountains.”
“You have a real gift for this,” Lily says, smiling. I shrug, embarrassed. “It is just a hobby, really.”
“Just a hobby?” Lily laughs softly, shaking her head. “No. These would look amazing on our brochure, on the website… perfect. Do you think I could use them?”
I look up, surprised. “Really?”
“Yes, absolutely. I want to pay you for them.”
“Oh no,” I say quickly, holding up my hands. “You are already helping me out so much. Let me do this for you.”
Lily smiles warmly. “Alright but just this once, the next pictures you take for us I pay.”
Lily reaches over and ruffles my hair gently. “And do not worry about staying with us, Penny. We love having you. It is good to have you here. You fit in with all of us just fine. I hope you feel it too.”
I nod, my chest full. “I do. I really do. Thank you.”
I walk toward the stables, my heart racing with excitement. Dust motes float in the golden afternoon light as Jude cleans the stalls, sleeves rolled up. Josh is already there with the vet, checking on the mare. The soft nickers and shuffling hooves make my stomach flutter.
“Hey, Penny,” Josh greets me with a grin. “Perfect timing. The foal should be out soon.”
I lean against the fence, eyes wide as I watch the mare strain, her muscles tense and shining with sweat. A small, warm brown foal slips onto the hay, wobbling on its long legs. My breath catches.
“Do you think it’s a boy or a girl?” I whisper, staring at him.
Josh chuckles. “Looks like a boy. Strong little guy, too. What are you thinking for a name?”
I crouch beside the foal as he wobbles on spindly legs, struggling to find his balance. His coat is a soft, warm brown, and a determined glimmer shines in his eyes. I bite my lip, watching him.
“How’s he doing?” I ask Josh, glancing between the mare and the foal.
“He’s strong,” Josh says. “Just figuring out how to walk without falling on his face. Typical first-timers.”
A familiar voice calls from behind me. “Hey, Sunset.”
I turn and blush as Cas steps up, hands in his pockets, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“So… what did you name him, Dad?” Cas asks, playful dimples showing.
Josh grins. “Penny’s going to name him.”
All eyes turn to me. My heart races as I look at the foal again. He wobbles, falls, then tries again. I watch his persistence and feel a surge of inspiration.
“Storm,” I whisper softly.
Cas’s eyes light up. “Storm,” he repeats, turning to look at the foal.
Jude just nods silently, a small smile tugging at his lips, but Josh beams. “Storm! I like it!”
I reach out and stroke Storm’s soft muzzle. He wobbles again but refuses to give up. “The name fits him,” I murmur.
Cas steps beside me, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “How are you doing today?” I shiver under his touch.
I take a slow breath. “I’m… better. Slowly getting used to this freedom, I guess.”
He smiles softly. “I have to get back to the station, but I’ll see you at dinner tonight?”
“Yes,” I say, smiling. “See you at dinner.”
He tips his hat, dimples flashing, and walks toward his truck.
I step outside, the afternoon sunlight glinting through the trees as Grace’s car rolls up the driveway.
“Penny!” she calls, hopping out and racing over to me. She pulls me into a hug, backpack slung over her shoulder.
“Hey there,” I say, hugging her back.
“I need to talk to you,” she says, her voice excited.
“Sure, we can talk,” I reply, letting her go.