Chapter 10
Penelope
Grace’s bedroom is a whirlwind of fabric, makeup, and nervous energy.
She’s perched on the edge of her bed, green eyes wide as she fiddles with the hem of her soft blush-colored dress, flowing but just short enough to feel daring.
Her cheeks are flushed with excitement and a hint of fear.
I kneel beside her with her makeup bag, brushing stray strands of hair behind her ear.
“You’re going to look perfect, Grace,” I say softly, adjusting her necklace. “Just breathe. You’ve got this.”
She bites her lip. “What if I mess up? What if he doesn’t like me?”
I grin. “Grace, first of all, he’s already lucky he’s getting to date you. And second… look at you. You look like an angel. That’s not something a boy can ignore.”
She laughs nervously, softer this time, a small spark of confidence lighting her eyes. I help her with her mascara, brushing it gently across her lashes. The transformation is subtle but stunning; her face now glows with a grown-up, radiant beauty that still feels unmistakably like Grace.
“Thanks, Penny,” she whispers, her voice quivering a little less. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’d do fine on your own,” I tease. “But you know I’m here to make sure you don’t spill anything on that dress or poke your eye out with mascara.”
Grace giggles, tensing slightly as I add the finishing touch of lip gloss. Her smile spreads naturally, and I see it: the little sparkle that Caleb’s about to fall for. I squeeze her hand. “Okay, time to face the generals.”
We walk down the stairs, and my chest tightens. Grace looks so grown-up, so radiant. Her green eyes practically sparkle with life, framed by her carefully applied makeup. Her brothers, Dad, and Asher are all waiting, like a panel of judges ready to interrogate.
Cas leans against the wall, still in his uniform, looking every bit the dangerous, protective Hawthorne male he always does.
His watch gleams on his wrist as his eyes flick toward the door.
Ethan stands near the window with Asher, arms crossed, muscles tight and imposing.
Jude broods against the wall, his expression unreadable.
Dex, in a fitted white wifebeater and jeans, tattoos and muscles on full display, practically dares Caleb to breathe wrong.
I roll my eyes, snorting at the spectacle.
Josh sits casually, polishing his rifle like it’s the most normal thing in the world, radiating quiet menace. Grace takes a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she smooths her dress.
As soon as she steps into the room, Asher does a double take. His jaw tightens, eyes fixed on her as if measuring her in ways no one else sees. Caleb has no idea what he’s walking into.
Dex growls, voice low. “That dress is too short.”
Grace straightens, biting her lip, every inch the angel she is. Her hair catches the light, her green eyes wide and shining, lips soft and inviting. Every move she makes is a perfect mix of innocence and sophistication.
Cas glances at his watch. “He better be on time.”
At that moment, the doorbell rings. Lily opens it, and Caleb steps inside, handsome, cocky, and completely unfazed by the mountain of men in the room. His eyes go straight to Grace.
“You look beautiful,” he says, smooth as silk. The brothers collectively growl.
“Caleb, so nice to meet you,” Lily says warmly. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Oh no, ma’am,” he replies with that grin. “I’ll just introduce myself to your husband and be on my way if that’s okay?”
Josh rises, shaking his hand firmly. “Nice to meet you, son.”
“Likewise, sir,” Caleb says, standing tall, meeting Josh’s gaze without a hint of fear.
Grace wrings her hands nervously beside me, and I squeeze her shoulder.
Josh waves him inside. “Come in, son. Let me introduce you to all the men who care about Grace.”
Caleb scans the room, taking in Cas in uniform with arms crossed, Ethan and Asher standing guard, Jude silent and brooding, and Dex looking like a tattooed Adonis in a wifebeater. Caleb doesn’t flinch. He steps forward, offering his hand to each one.
“Nice to meet you, Cas,” he says politely.
Cas grunts. “It’s Sheriff Hawthorne to you.”
I roll my eyes, hiding a smile.
Josh sits on the leather couch next to his rifle, giving Caleb a slow, calculating look. “So, where are you taking my daughter?”
“We’re going to Donati’s for pizza and then the movies, sir,” Caleb answers, looking back at Grace with a smile that makes every man in the room tighten.
“What kind of car will you be driving?” Cas growls.
“Vintage Mustang,” Caleb replies smoothly, never looking intimidated.
Dex snorts. “Do you smoke?”
“No, sir.”
“No alcohol?” Ethan asks.
“No, sir. I care about my role on the football team. Alcohol is poison to any athlete, sir,” Caleb says, unwavering.
Josh leans back, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “Caleb, you seem like a nice guy, but just to make sure you know… that girl over there is my only daughter. And her four older brothers really, really care about her safety and happiness.”
The men nod, and Caleb meets every gaze without flinching.
Josh leans forward slightly. “Once, back in elementary school, some boy called Grace names. My boys and their friends… let’s just say that little boy ended up being homeschooled.
” He glances at Dex. “But my favorite episode… was when Grace started high school. Dex here was going through a phase, joined the local motorcycle club…”
“I’m still close with them,” Dex growls.
“Yes, he left, but they’re friends,” Josh continues.
“Well, one day a tourist’s son tried to offer Grace a ride home from the bus.
Jace saw that, called Dex, who came with three of his best friends from the club…
and that boy and his family decided to leave Lander and vacation elsewhere that same day. ”
Caleb nods. “I get it. You’ll kill me if I hurt her.”
Josh grins wickedly. “Pretty much.”
Caleb turns to the men, not Grace, his eyes steady on each of them.
“I care about her, sir. I would never do anything to hurt Grace. I’m serious about this.
If I ever did… I’d call you all myself and let you rough me up.
For now, I just want to make sure I keep that smile on her face, twenty-four-seven. ”
Grace beams, her nervousness melting. I bite back a laugh. “Daaaamn, he’s smooth.”
All the men glare at me. Caleb doesn’t flinch. He gently squeezes Grace’s hand again, and I notice Asher’s jaw tighten, his eyes locked on their hands.
The game is on, and Caleb is playing it perfectly.