Chapter 6
Casper
The bell over the door jingles when I step back into Sugar & Spice, the sharp bite of October air still clinging to my jacket. My gaze sweeps the shop, habit I’ll never break, but it lands on her instantly.
Penny.
She’s in the corner, coffee cupped in both hands, laughing. Really laughing. Head tipped back, red hair catching the late morning light streaming through the window. Her shoulders are loose, easy like for once, the weight she carries has finally slipped right off.
Mia’s little hands tug at Penny’s sleeve, bouncing with energy, while Summer leans in, animatedly explaining something.
Penny laughs, smoothing Mia’s hair, leaning forward to listen.
Every small gesture, the tilt of her head, the soft smile, the way she mirrors the child’s joy, hits me harder than I expect.
She’s light in motion, warmth in a world that can be cold as hell.
Behind her, the big window frames trees blazing gold and orange, the kind of fall colors that make you stop just to take them in. But she puts them all to shame. She belongs in this season: warm, rich, untouchable. Like autumn itself decided to sit in a coffee shop and smile.
She’s the most beautiful damn thing I’ve ever seen.
Summer smirks when she catches me watching. “We were just talking about you, Sheriff.”
Penny freezes mid-laugh, eyes snapping to me. Her whole face flushes a soft pink that punches the air right out of my chest. Those whiskey-colored eyes dart down to her mug, then back up, trying not to look at me, and failing completely.
And hell if I can look away.
She fumbles with her cup and clears her throat. “I… we weren’t…I mean…” Her words tangle, and the way she gets flustered, so honestly human, pulls a smile out of me before I can stop it.
I tip my hat, keeping my voice low, teasing but careful. “Sounds like you’re having fun.”
Her laugh comes again, smaller this time, but it’s still hers.
I cross the room, boots heavy against the wood floor, and take the seat beside her.
“Coffee?” Summer asks, already grinning.
“Please,” I say, eyes never leaving Penny.
She glances at me, quick and uncertain, then looks down again, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The blush hasn’t faded, lingering across her cheeks like the last light of sunset.
Outside, the wind cut through me, sharp and cold. Inside, with Penny at my side, the world feels softer, quieter, as if it’s holding its breath, waiting with us.
I wrap my hands around the mug Summer sets down and take a sip, letting the warmth settle into my chest, seeping into the hollows of my ribs and steadying me.
“Cas,” Penny’s fingers rest against her cup, pale and trembling just slightly. She’s still healing. Still learning to trust the quiet. She looks nervous. “I want to file a restraining order against Mark,” she whispers. And my admiration for her strength grows even more.
“But,” she continues, “I’m scared he’ll find me if I do, and he won’t let this go easily.” She takes a deep breath. “Would it be okay if I came by the station tomorrow? I don’t really know how to go about it.” She shakes her head, clearly embarrassed, eyes dropping to her coffee.
I put my finger under her chin, gently lifting it so our eyes meet.
“Of course you can.” I hold her gaze, letting my words carry the weight of everything I feel.
“I’m so proud of you for doing this. You can ride in with me tomorrow.
We’ll get your car and then we’ll make damn sure he’s not allowed anywhere near you. You got this.”
Relief fills her eyes, a small tentative smile tugging at her lips.
“Thank you, Cas… for everything.”
I take her hand in mine gently. “No problem at all, Sunset.”
Her smile is warm, bright enough to light up any room. And maybe this is what guts me the most. She’s been through hell and back, and she still has this softness left in her.
I’ve met plenty of women. Kind ones. Tough ones. Strong ones. But none of them ever made me forget to breathe just by laughing across a coffee shop. None ever made me want to stay still long enough to watch the light shift and dance on their face.
Dad’s voice drifts through my head, steady as ever: “Hawthorne men fall fast, hard, and deep when they find their one.”
We used to laugh when he said that. Ethan and I would roll our eyes, tease him about being whipped by Mom after all these years.
But sitting here, watching Penny talk to Summer, hearing her laugh again like it’s the first time in forever, yeah.
Maybe my old man was right.
Because I can feel it happening. Fast. Hard. Deep.
And there’s not a damn thing I can do to stop it.