Chapter 27
“Baaash!” Maggie dropped the rag and raced around the counter.
“Umph,” he grunted, as she collided with him. Let’s hope she’s not the only sister happy to see me.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
He shrugged. “You’re just a slight detour on my way to Thistlestone, and I wanted to see if everything looked as great as it does on the website.”
“And the million and one pictures Lucas sent to you?”
He smirked. “He’s proud of the way it turned out.” And he should be. Bash looked at the gleaming counter tops and the delicious-looking desserts behind the display glass. They’d mounted large monitors on the wall listing the specialty coffee and tea drinks and the week’s specials: summer berry smoothie, iced tea sweetened with Thistlestone honey, raspberry mocha hot or iced, blueberry blondies, chocolate chip pretzel cookies, and ice cream sandwiches featuring Moo Please ice cream. A couple sat next to each other at the long counter against the window overlooking Tumble Falls with their backpacks tucked underneath them. A mother and two young children sat in a booth near the entrance to the bookstore, snacks in front of them, and a Get Lost bag sat on the table. The space was open and bright, comforting and welcoming, just like the woman clinging to him. The sun broke through the clouds, filling the room with tiny rainbows as the chandelier’s crystals caught the light.
“Is it story time?” he asked, nodding toward the opening that led into the bookstore. Bash hoped he didn’t sound too eager.
“They finished a while ago, but Penny’s not there,” she said with a knowing look. “Come on back to the kitchen while I finish frosting the cupcakes.” Maggie grabbed his hand, and he followed her. The kitchen was small, but organized and clean. Maggie hooked her foot around a stool, pulling it out, and gently shoving him on it before pushing a plate at him. “These are a little overcooked, but they still taste great. Eat.” Bash munched on the cookies while he asked her how business was going, if the shared space between Goddess Bakes and Get Lost was working for both businesses, and if she enjoyed being her own boss. Listening to Maggie’s voice soothed him. He hadn’t realized how nervous he was about seeing Penny.
“How many of those do you need to do?” he asked as she finished decorating her fourth cupcake with a mound of pink icing and a sprinkle of edible glitter.
“Twenty-one more to go.” She leaned her head from side to side, stretching her neck. Bash washed his hands and told Maggie he’d like to help as he pulled the bowl of sprinkles closer to him.
“I don’t think I can mess it up.”
“Of course you won’t, my sparkly friend,” she teased, as she playfully bumped her hip against him. “I love my chandelier. Thank you. It’s exactly what the space needed, and it makes me happy every time I look at it.”
“It was my pleasure.” He asked if Lucas was done with the summer honey extraction and if Cal and Three had fixed the irrigation system. Bash knew the answers from his nightly talks with Penny, but he hoped Maggie would fill him in on the other Buchanans, which she did, but she didn’t touch on the one he was most eager to hear about. The one who cut him off every time he brought up them. He licked his lips and swallowed. “How’s Penny?”
“Better. You broke her heart, you big dummy, but she’s adjusting. It’s been hard working with you, but she’s enjoying it.” Bash had been called many names, but no one had ever called him a big dummy.
“Good. That’s good to hear. And I know I can be difficult,” he said, appreciating her honesty.
“Penny doesn’t say difficult. She says you’re challenging. And a challenge is much better than a difficulty, don’t you think?” He nodded. Maggie Buchanan had missed her calling. She would have made an excellent counselor. Her verbal refrain was on par with the therapist he’d worked with since leaving Cascade City.
She touched his hand, and he startled, scattering glitter on the table. “She broke your heart, too, didn’t she?” Maggie’s light brown eyes filled with compassion and comfort, but he forced himself to look away. He’d been very clear with his therapist that he wanted to be more emotionally aware, but he didn’t want to wear his heart on his sleeve, saying, “Vander Vetters don’t do emotional displays like that.”
Bash chuckled, but it sounded more like a pained squawk. “I’m mending.”
“What happened?”
“Penny didn’t tell you?”
“She gave me some end-of-the-season, wasn’t-meant-to-be bull-crap story, but I’ve never seen her so hurt. What happened?” He leaned on the countertop and Maggie set down her frosting bag, laying her hand over his.
“I proposed, and she said no.”
Maggie’s eyes widened. “You told my sister you loved her, and she said no?”
“Not in those exact words, but yes, that’s what happened.”
Maggie’s eyes narrowed. “What words did you use?”
“That we had similar interests and goals and enjoyed each other’s company. Marriage made sense.”
“That’s not saying I love you. It’s not even close.” Maggie’s hand gripped his and her eyes flashed.
“Hey, I’d never said it before, so give me a break.” But he’d said it this morning. Five times. His therapist had started him with once a day and now they’d worked up to saying it five times. Bash had painfully learned that thinking he was awesome didn’t equate to loving himself. He’d felt ridiculous the first time he’d done it. Staring at himself in the mirror and looking into his eyes and saying, I love you. He’d cursed his therapist for wasting his time and money, but when it had taken him ten minutes to find the courage to say the words out loud, he’d felt gutted.
“I did the best I could, and it wasn’t good enough for her. Penny deserves more.”
“But she still loves you. I know she does.”
“What do you want me to do, Maggie? She said no.” Bash tried to pull his hand away, but she held tight.
“Ask again, but use the words in your heart, not your head.”
“What if I’ve changed my mind?” he asked, needing to buy time. If Penny still loved him, he had a second chance, but he knew she wouldn’t give him a third one. He had to get this right. He needed to study all the angles and possibilities. Make sure he devised the perfect play, so when he asked again, she’d easily say yes.
Maggie’s grip relaxed before giving him a reassuring squeeze. “But you haven’t,” she said, picking up the frosting bag and smiling. “You still love my sister,” she sang.
“I didn’t say that.” Bash swept the scattered glitter into a neat pile, feeling embarrassed and vulnerable. At least I’m not paying for this therapy session, he thought grumpily as he brushed the glitter into his hands and tossed it into the garbage. He should have asked Maggie before disposing of it, but she hadn’t stopped him.
“You didn’t have to. It’s written on your heart.”
Bash leaned against the counter and grabbed one of the overcooked cookies as his stomach grumbled. “You magicked me,” he said, sounding more relieved than accusatory. Maggie smirked and held two fingers close together, confirming she had magicked him a little. “I thought you couldn’t use magic that way. That you couldn’t poke into family members’ heads or the people who love them.” Not a full declaration, but I’m getting closer.
“Couldn’t and shouldn’t are two different things. But you’re right. I shouldn’t have done it, but I did. It was for the common good and I don’t regret it. Not if it gives you the courage to say the words.”
“Enough already. Just go out there and talk to the boy,” Nanna said, coming up to Penny as she stood at the window. “You’ve been staring at him for the last ten minutes. If you need an excuse, go show him the puppies. Those things are such a wiggly mess, you’ll have plenty to talk about.” Nanna gave her a gentle shove between the shoulder blades and the door smacked behind Penny before she had a chance to think.
Bash looked up and caught her eye, and she gave him a small wave. Like a total idiot, she thought as she carefully walked down the back steps. With her luck, she’d trip and land at his feet. He turned his attention back to the men as she approached. He looked good, really good in his khaki shorts, blue button-down shirt with the iconic polo player on the left breast, and loafers. Penny liked that he’d dressed up for their start of the season family dinner.
There were lighter streaks of caramel in his hair, most likely from spending as much time as he could on his rooftop patio. And Penny couldn’t blame him. He’d sent her photos of his view and the plants, and they’d had more than one video call with him sitting under an enormous umbrella. Bash had renovated a corner with artificial grass and a collection system underneath to deal with Tiny’s doggy-business. Penny hoped Tiny liked it and would appreciate Bash’s efforts when the dog moved to New York City with him at the end of the football season.
Until that afternoon, Penny had planned to play the evening cool and professional, but George had yakked up his latest meal on the denim capris and T-shirt she’d left on her bed. And if that hadn’t been bad enough, he’d called her a ninny and lectured her.
Maybe I should let him settle in first? Give him a chance to adjust to being back, she’d told George.
We’re not dealing with an altitude adjustment, but your attitude adjustment.He’d knocked over a perfume bottle. Gravity, he said as they’d watched it fall and bounce on the carpet. The lid stayed on, so Penny didn’t chastise him.
And just because he doesn’t say the words, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you.
Are you saying he’s a scaredy-cat?she’d asked as she studied her closet for inspiration. Her original outfit had been the perfect blend of summer casual meets indifference.
I hate that phrase. George jumped on the shelf in front of her. We’re highly sensitive and cautious.
Says the one-eyed cat who likes riding Maggie’s ceiling fan.
He’d huffed. Wear that blue thing. The one that doesn’t make you look like a librarian ready to retire. Penny had wanted to argue with him, but she couldn’t. She’d slowly rebuilt her wardrobe over the summer to better reflect her style, but there were still some lifeless pieces. She didn’t know when or why she’d chosen clothes that allowed her to blend into the background, but she’d suspected it was when she’d resigned herself to working at Get Lost and living in Cascade City. Why wear colorful clothing when your life is dull? Sparrow indeed, she’d thought, remembering Bash’s accusation that she hid her talents.
He’s a doer, not a talker. Stop hiding behind your broom and tell him.
There’s no broom, George, she said for the millionth time. Maggie had also insisted Bash was a doer not a talker. He cared, but it was anyone’s guess how much.
Please?He’d butted his head against her hand. Don’t you want to be happy like Maggie?
Yes, she did, which is why she’d planned a full assault but was ready to pull back at his first sign of hesitation. They’d grown closer during their time apart, and Bash seemed different, more comfortable in his own skin. Penny wanted to give them a second chance, but she was terrified of ruining what they had now.
She’d taken a crash course in reading body language from Google and memorized a few articles she’d found compliments of Cosmopolitan magazine. She’d optimistically bookmarked a couple’s quiz. Where her witchy skills failed her, Penny prayed her women’s intuition and newfound education had kicked in.
His eyes lit up behind his glasses as she approached. So far, so good. Penny wondered if he’d worn the new pair for her. He’d tormented her by asking for her help in choosing them. Thankfully, Bash hadn’t annoyed the sales consultant too much with his demands that Penny see every pair he tried when he’d called her from the store. Tiny’s tail wagged as she approached.
“She missed you,” Penny said, bending to rub the Great Dane’s soft, oversized ears, knowing Bash had a clear view of the red bra hiding underneath her Caribbean-blue sundress. His eyes widened and the corner of his full lips ticked up and Penny mentally high-fived herself for choosing the dress and selecting a bra in his favorite color.
“It’s nice to be missed,” he said as she stood. “Bold choice. I like it.” His bright blue eyes raked over her, and Penny bit back a grin.
“One of the shelter dogs had puppies and Nanna moved them here since it’s quieter. Would you like to see them?”
“I can’t say no to puppies. Is it safe for Tiny to come?” he asked.
“She spends most of her time watching over them, and I don’t think she’ll let you out of her sight for a while now that you’re back. Come on, girl. Let’s go check on the puppies.” Tiny barked and rose to her feet, leaving Bash and Penny to follow her as she ambled toward the barn.
Bash’s fingers brushed against Penny’s as they approached the chicken coop. Her fingers brushed his when they neared the sheep pen. Penny called to Mac and Beth, and they trotted over, eager for some petting. Tiny stood at the barn door and barked at them, as if telling them to hurry. Bash placed his hand on her lower back as she stepped through the threshold, but he didn’t remove it as they walked down the aisle. With each step, they drew closer to each other.
Tiny hung her head into the puppies’ pen. “She looks happy,” Bash said, taking Penny’s hand.
“She is.” Penny felt the heat crawl up her chest, hoping he thought she’d meant Tiny. “How’s the shoulder?” she asked. Bash raised a brow at her question. He’d kept her fully informed of its progress.
“Better, and now that I know about Maggie’s gift, I should make it through the season.” Maggie touching Bash was a necessary evil Penny would have to come to terms with if she wanted to maintain her sanity.
“Yeah, that’s her skill set, not mine.” She wondered who’d told him about Maggie. Does he know about Harper and Elspeth, too?
“What specifically is your skill set?” They’d never discussed her gifts since that disastrous morning in the kitchen. It was a black cloud hanging over them, but Penny had never brought it up, fearing the emotional storm it might cause.
“I’m usually good at moving things—”
“Like rocks? The path is beautiful, by the way. Barbara dragged me out to see it.”
“Yes, rocks, and other things. I can do light protections like keeping the apartment free from dust or making sure birds don’t poop on my car if I park under a tree. I’m also good at knowing what people want and what makes them happy.”
“Do you know what makes me happy?” he asked.
Penny snorted. “No. I haven’t been able to read you since the first time I kissed you.”
“Is that normal?”
“No.”
“Does it scare you?”
Heck, yes!
“What do you think?” she grumbled, and he laughed.
“I think it scares the crap out of you. You like rules, routines, and schedules.”
“And safety, but I haven’t felt safe since the moment I kissed you.”
“Funny,”—he pulled her to him, and she knew that was a good sign—“I feel like my life’s been in free fall until you. You make me feel safer. But I’m sorry you feel that way. Scaring you is the last thing I want to do.” His sincere apology tripped off his lips like an expert apologizer.
“Who are you, and what have you done with Bash?” she teased, needing to lighten the mood.
“Blame it on the therapy.” She looked up at him and nodded her head as she left his embrace. Therapy looks good on him. Penny stepped over the low fence and settled on a hay bale, patting the space next to her. Bash followed and she felt his old reserve settle on him like a suit of armor.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t think straight when I’m in your arms. My system goes a bit nutso.”
He relaxed. “That doesn’t sound bad to me.”
“Says the thinking man.”
“Sure, as long as you don’t specify which head is doing the thinking.” He smirked and Penny pulled an innocent puppy into her lap, needing it to protect her heart like a junkyard dog.
“We’ve never talked about it.”
“It?”
“My gifts.” She swallowed. Penny couldn’t imagine living without them, and she didn’t want to choose. Although there isn’t a choice since my magic doesn’t work with a broken heart. Bash shrugged and fondled the puppy’s ears before looking at her.
“They don’t matter to me.” The insult pierced her heart before relief coursed through her. “Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s cool, and watching you move stuff when you were sick was eye opening, but the biggest eye opener was being in your apartment for the first time. Seeing who you really were. I’d always felt like you were hiding from me, but there, you were fully exposed. Your books, your travel pictures and mementos, your partnership plan on the table. I saw the real Penny, and I fell for the woman, not the witch.” She smiled through her tears.
“Can we pick up where we left off?” she asked, hoping she wasn’t premature in her assessment. Based on his words and body language, he wanted her. He wanted them.
Bash exhaled, feeling his lungs fully empty for the first time since he’d left the Goddess Bakes. Maggie’s encouragement had filled him with hope, but then everyone at Thistlestone acted as if nothing had changed. As if his world wasn’t better and Penny didn’t love him. But her quiet question undid him. He pulled the puppy from her lap and reconciled it with its siblings. The mother dog gave him the side-eye as she flopped back to let the puppies nurse. He pulled Penny on to his lap.
“With your bare butt on a hay bale? Sure, why not.” She swatted at him, but he captured her hand and kissed it.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know, but we can’t pick up where we left off. I’ve come to know you better and fall deeper for you, and I can’t go back to where we were,” he confessed. Penny’s small smile shot through him.
“Better and deeper work for me, too,” Penny said before kissing him, and Bash hoped she’d meant the double entendre. “So, how serious are you about this celibacy pledge?” She murmured against his lips as her fingers played with a button on his shirt.
“Depends on you.”
“Same rules as last season? Exclusivity?” she asked.
“You’re all I want.”
“Really?”
“Well, other than your mom finding office space for me in Cascade City.” Her fingers stilled and his mouth was suddenly dry. “I thought VV Pub could be pretentious and open a West Coast office.” He loved New York City, but Cascade City had its charms, the best of which nestled against him smelling like warm sunshine, puppies, and a seductive floral scent.
Penny frowned and bit her lower lip. “I told Elspeth I might leave.”
“But you said everything you loved was here and your power was here.”
Penny shrugged. “I’ll take my chances and be with you.”
“Really?”
“Well, turns out my magic works better when I’m happy, and there’s only one irritating, challenging man who does that.”
“Me.” Bash nuzzled her neck, feeling happier than he had since that fateful morning when he’d dragged himself out of bed to make her breakfast.
“Yes, you, Bash Vander Vetter. You’re better than a book.” Penny’s lips brushed his and Bash didn’t need any further encouragement as her fingers unbuttoned his shirt and she laid her hand across his heart. Bash didn’t know how long they stayed enmeshed, reacquainting themselves before cheers interrupted them.
“Crap,” Penny said, scrambling off his lap and straightening her dress. “Do I look okay?”
“You look thoroughly kissed and well on your way to an”—she covered his mouth and glared at him—“which works for me,” he said underneath her hand before she moved it. “But I’m not sure how your dad or Cal will feel about it. Why?”
“I’m guessing Lucas just proposed, and we missed it. Hurry.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him through the barn, past the sheep pen and chicken coop, but he dug his heels in and tugged her toward him as they reached the edge of the yard. If he didn’t get the words out, he’d explode.
“They can wait. This can’t.” His fingers framed her face, and his thumbs rubbed across her jaw. He took a deep breath and her eyes narrowed in concern. “Remember when I asked if you knew what made me happy?” She nodded, looking dazed and annoyed. “You didn’t respond, but the answer is you. You make me happy. And I love you.” She stared at him, and Bash wanted to kick himself. He’d said it as if it were an afterthought. Did I learn nothing in therapy? he berated himself. “That didn’t come out right. Let me try again.”
“You don’t love me?” she asked, sounding as if she enjoyed his discomfort.
“No, I do. You are the most important, vital person in my life, and I can’t imagine living without you. But finally saying those words, and hearing them, they sounded small and insufficient for everything you mean to me. There’s got to be a better phrase than I love you.” Penny laughed and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m serious. It’s like human communication hasn’t evolved beyond cave drawings.”
“I love you, Bash.” Penny whispered against his lips as he flexed his fingers into her waist, pulling her closer. Cheers interrupted them. Again. Bash growled.
“It’s for us,” she giggled, peeking around him. “Come on.” Bash grumbled behind her, but he complied. Knowing he’d put the smile on her thoroughly kissed lips helped.
“It looks like the two of you have a good excuse for missing the world’s best proposal,” Maggie said, plucking a piece of hay out of Penny’s hair.
“We were catching up.” Bash said, covering in case Penny wanted to keep their relationship quiet. He wanted to broadcast it, but tonight was about Maggie and Lucas. They could celebrate Penny and him later. Dinner at Lilliana’s might be good for a family celebration. The restaurant was in the old Brewster’s location and Bash knew Maggie and Penny had befriended the chef, Maggie’s soon-to-be-sister-in-law.
“Is that what you’re calling it?” Harper asked, joining them. “I saw the sparks as I drove up.”
“Me, too,” Maggie said.
“Seriously?” Penny asked, looking pale under her blush.
“I saw nothing,” Lucas said.
Just the witches and me, Bash thought, pleased that he shared this with them until he realized their knowing could put a damper on his and Penny’s activities. Damn. His mood sunk. Maybe Penny can magic us so no one else sees? He didn’t want to lose the sparks that danced around them like fireflies, but broadcasting their affection left him queasy.
“Show me the ring.” Maggie wiggled her finger at her, and Penny pulled it closer. “It’s gorgeous and looks perfect on your finger. Good job, Lucas,” Penny said, hugging him and welcoming him into the family.
“Mine’s bigger,” Bash whispered in her ear.
“Promises, promises,” Penny said, wrapping her arm around him as they followed the newly engaged couple into the house.
And it was. The two-carat emerald-cut diamond would look perfect on her long fingers, but its fire and brilliance wouldn’t compare to hers. Nothing compared to Penny. When they were ready, he’d propose again. Because they suited each other, even better than before, but more importantly, because he loved her. Because without love, the rest didn’t matter.