Chapter 29
Monty
Tuesday morning I wake up feeling rejuvenated. And hard. Last night was incredible. I never considered using a mask in the bedroom and now I’m racking my brain for other new things to try with Penny.
And waiting for Penny to tell me everything she still wants to try. I pull out my phone and smile as I stare at the texts we exchanged last night.
Me: Was tonight okay Xuxuzinho?
Penny: I loved every second of it.
Me: I wasn’t too rough?
Penny: You were perfect. I can barely keep my eyes open now though.
Me: Okay sweet dreams, Penelope Darling.
Penny: Oh they’ll definitely be dirty ones.
Penny: Good night Monty.
I shoot her a new one.
Me: Good Morning, Xuxuzinho. I’m about to go pump out my first thousand words.
Penny: So eager for your reward.
Me: Make that list.
“Amor!” Vovo’s voice accompanies a knock on my door.
I clear my throat and think of cow manure so I can get rid of this perpetual hard-on. “Yes?”
“Oh good, you’re awake,” she says from behind the door. I know that won’t last long though so I adjust myself and throw on sweats before heading for the door.
“I am now,” I say to the petite woman I love dearly.
She beams up at me, her gray hair pulled back. “Would you go to the farm with me to get flowers this morning?”
“The Darlings’ farm?”
She nods, a twinkle in her eye. “My sunflowers died and I need some gourds, too.”
I shrug. I really do need to write today, and not just because I want my reward from Penny, but I’ll never tell Vovo no. “Of course. Just let me know what time you want to go.”
She stares at me. “Now?”
I chuff out a laugh and nod. “Okay, let me get dressed.”
***
“I don’t like how that cow is watching me,” Vovo grumbles as we walk arm in arm down the gravel driveway toward the white tent Gail sets up in the fall to sell flowers and other decor.
“Daisy isn’t looking at you.” I chuckle. “She’s looking at all the cookies you made me bring.”
We packed up four containers’ worth of cookies for the Darlings. I’m pretty sure they get plenty of sweets from Tally but I didn’t argue with Vovo. I never do.
“Well, I still don’t like it.” Vovo glances back over her shoulder toward the miniature cow in its new pen that Walker must have built.
To the left of the property, past the brewery, is an incredible view of the craggy mountains that seem to stretch endlessly behind the harbor. The trees atop them are a mixture of reds and yellows. Gorgeous.
Growing up, I remember the town being run over by leaf peepers from Boston and New York City.
I never understood why these people—surrounded by theater and the hustle and bustle of life—would ever flock to our sleepy town.
Now, I get it. Hope Harbor is magical in the fall.
Hell, Hope Harbor is magical throughout the entire year.
Especially this farm.
While the farm is most famous for spring, because of the Daffodil Festival that takes place here each year, every season is just as stunning.
Back in the day, there was always a giant maze out in the fields during this time of year.
And pumpkin picking and spooky storytelling—Mr. Darling always told the best stories.
One day I asked him where he found them and how he managed to memorize them all.
He pointed to his head with his signature warm smile.
“It’s all up here. The best stories always are. ”
I swear I’ve repeated those words to myself a hundred times since. Especially over the past few months when I couldn’t write a damn word.
“But why?” The whine of a child pulls my attention from the past and I narrow my eyes as I spot Walker, Fletcher, Quinn, and Henry in front of the big Victorian farmhouse.
I stop walking, ready to say hello, when Walker’s tone has me flattening my lips. “Because we don’t draw on people,” Walker tells Quinn. The boy’s got a black Sharpie in his hand and he does not look happy. Then again, neither does Walker.
“It’s fine, I’m sure I’ll be able to get it off during bath time,” Fletcher says from beside them, signing as he speaks so that Henry can follow along with the conversation.
Though Henry’s staring up at the mayor’s hands, he wears a flat expression.
“It’s not fine.” Walker sounds pained. “We left them for five minutes to go inside and he drew on Henry.”
My eyes scan over the little boys and that’s when I see the black lines all over Henry’s pale skin. I think one of the lines is supposed to be in the shape of a cow and…is that a butt?
“He liked Monty’s arms,” Quinn quips.
Oh shit.
Walker tugs off his baseball cap and squeezes it with a groan.
“I know you didn’t think you were doing a bad thing, but please, no art on your or anyone else’s body, Quinn. Understood?”
Quinn kicks at the dirt. “Fine. But when I’m older I’m getting all the art I want because Tally says it’s hot.”
I hear a squeak from the porch and I spin to find Penny standing beside her sister, a hand slapped over her mouth to stop her laughter.
Quinn swings his head toward them and then points at Penny. “I don’t know why you’re laughing. You’re the reason Tally said it last week at the bakery. Because you wouldn’t stop staring. And Rosie said a man with ink makes her panties—”
“Okay!” Tally says loudly with a clap of her hands. “That’s enough sharing for now, Quinny.”
Walker’s so red in the face I think he might combust and the mayor has stopped signing, which makes me think he doesn’t want Henry to understand this part.
I can’t help the grin that finds my lips when I meet Penny’s eyes. “Hi, Xuxuzinho.”
She is that brilliant shade of red that I love so much.
“What are you guys doing here?” she asks, taking the steps quickly and changing the subject.
She gives Vovo a hug and then hesitates when she looks at me.
I chuckle. This is the time when we should be the most obvious about our fake dating.
We’re in front of people and this is supposed to be for show.
And yet, my pretty Penny doesn’t know how to act around me.
It’s adorable. And I love every second of it.
“Vovo wanted to make a few purchases.” I grab Penny’s hand and tug her into my chest, then with the softest touch I tip her chin up so I can brush my lips against hers. “Looks like it’s my lucky day. I found a Penny. Should I pick her up?”
Penny sighs against my mouth and gives me the gentlest smile. Then she glances at Vovo. “My mother was going to have Walker drop off your flower order. You didn’t have to come all this way.”
Vovo shrugs. “Oh, I forgot.”
I chuckle. The woman never forgets anything. Clearly, she’s still playing matchmaker. “What are you doing here?” I ask Penny. I assumed she’d be at the store. Also, she’s supposed to be working on that list I’m desperate to see.
“The boys don’t have school today and Billie’s at the brewery so I told my mom I’d come and keep an eye on them—I thought we could do some pumpkin carving. But I guess they got into my supplies while I was chatting with Tally.”
I glance back at the two little guys, who don’t seem terribly bothered by being reprimanded. They’re already racing around the yard, not a care in the world.
“Well, that’s nice of you.”
“I’ll go get your order together,” Walker tells us.
“I was thinking I’d go in and say hi to Gail,” Vovo says. “Why don’t you help Penny with those rascals until I’m done?”
Penny nibbles on her lip as she tries to hold back a smile, shaking her head as Vovo disappears inside with Tally.
“You sure you’ll be okay with them both?” Fletcher asks, looking back toward Henry and Quinn, who are talking to Daisy. Penny reassures him we’ll be fine. I promise to stick around for a bit as we watch the mayor disappear toward his car.
“So how’s your list coming along?” I say, voice low.
Penny sucks in a breath and shakes her head. “Stop.” But she laughs and that joy I woke up with beats a steady cadence in my chest. It’s like my heart is trying to find a way outside the confines I’ve placed it in.
I snag her fingers in my own and squeeze. Then I sigh as I glance past her toward the gorgeous fields, where I spy rows and rows of sunflowers and chrysanthemums. “I haven’t been here in so long.”
“You literally drove me here five weeks ago.”
I chuckle. “A lot happened that day. I barely saw the place. Give me a tour.”
Penny rolls her eyes and then leans her head against my shoulder as we walk hand in hand through the yard in the direction of the meadows—though Penny keeps one eye on Henry and Quinn, who continue to chatter away with Daisy.
“Well, if you remember, the east fields are where the daffodil and tulip beds are resting.” I look over to where she is pointing.
Now, the flower fields look desolate, but I know that, in the spring, they bloom into the most gorgeous spot on the farm.
“And just next to them is where we normally have the pumpkins for grab-and-go picking.” She sighs.
“Though we’re not offering that this year. ”
I glance her way. “Because of your father?”
Her lips twist. “Yeah.” She shrugs. “It’s not the same without him.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t make it for the funeral, Penny.” Fuck, I was an asshole. Ten years ago my life fell apart and I walked away, never looking back. And despite how I failed to be here for her when she needed it, Penny didn’t so much as blink when I came back into her life.
She glances my way. “You were busy making your dreams come true.”
I swallow and stare out at the farm, wishing I could make it up to her. Wishing I could change the past.
“So, um, have you gotten any words done?” she asks, changing the subject.
I focus on the fields before us. “No, our little matchmaker interrupted me before I could start.”
Penny giggles and the tightness in my chest eases at the sound.
“Can we take Daisy for a walk?” Quinn screams in our direction. Though, as we both turn to him, it’s clear he’s already entering the cow’s pen with a yellow leash in hand.
“Oh shit,” Penny mutters. “I better get back.”
“Want my help? I can hang with you guys for the day.”
Penny looks at me, face serious. “You owe me words.”
“Fine.” I chuckle. “I’ll go get Vovo and get started.”
Her copper eyes lift to mine. “Will you come over later?”
I wrap an arm beneath her long auburn hair and squeeze her neck. “I’ll do anything you want, Xuxuzinho.”
Her teeth tug on her bottom lip. “Anything?”
I chuckle and press a kiss to her cheek before whispering in her ear, “Make that list.”