Chapter 11
Penelope
Two weeks have gone by since I first arrived in Lander, and as my alarm clock buzzes, I smile instead of groaning. That alone feels like progress. The morning light filters through the curtains in warm, honey-colored stripes, and when I catch sight of myself in the mirror, I pause.
My bruises are gone. My lip is almost healed. I still see the girl Mark tried to break, but she doesn’t look shattered this time. She looks like she might be piecing herself back together.
Downstairs, the kitchen hums with life. Lily is already at the stove, apron dusted with flour, something bubbling and sweet filling the air.
Cinnamon, sugar, and butter. It smells like home, the kind of home I thought I would never have again.
I take a deep breath, letting the warmth and familiar scents sink in.
“Well, good morning, Penny,” she says, turning with a bright smile, wooden spoon still in her hand. “Sleep well?”
“I did, thank you. It smells amazing in here.”
“Pumpkin spice muffins.” She winks, sliding the pan into the oven. “Thought I’d bake a few batches for tomorrow. I’m so excited.”
I tilt my head. “The Pumpkin Patch starts tomorrow?”
“That’s right.” Her smile widens. “We’ve been doing it every fall since the kids were little.
From the first of October until Halloween.
Families from all over town come by. There are hayrides, horse rides, pumpkin carvings.
We set up a stand for pies and cider too.
” She glances around the kitchen, eyes sparkling.
“It’s always a little chaotic, but it’s so much fun. ”
She leans closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “But this year, I want something extra. A fall photoshoot station.”
My heart skips. “A photoshoot?”
Lily nods, eyes twinkling. “You take such pretty pictures, Penny. I’ve had so many compliments on the ones we hung on the walls at the B a stack of logs waits like a promise.
Family photos line the mantel: Cas as a barefoot kid with scraped knees, shoulder to shoulder with his brothers; one of Lily holding a tiny Cas with a mess of hair that matches his now.
A faded rodeo poster hangs in a frame; a pair of muddy boots sit neatly by the door. The place feels lived-in and loved.
On the porch, he drapes a blanket over my shoulders before handing me a steaming mug.
“Thanks.” I look up at his handsome face, unable to hide my smile.
We sit with Max flopped at our feet, the lake stretching out in front of us.
The breeze is cool, carrying the sharp bite of late September, but it feels good.
Cleansing. For a while, we just sip and watch the water shift under the autumn sky.
With Cas, I don’t feel like I have to fill the silence. And I really like that.
◆◆◆
The next day, the red truck steals the show at the Pumpkin Patch. Families line up, kids climbing into the bed with pumpkins bigger than their heads.
I snap a thousand photos, laughing as I go.
“Penny!”
I turn and find Mia running toward me, Summer right behind her, trying to keep up.
“Hey there, sweetie! Are you here to model for me?” I scoop her up and kiss her sweet face.
“Mommy said you’ll take a beautiful family picture of us because we’re a family now. Do you understand what that means, Penny?” Her little voice could light up a room.
I smile softly, feeling my chest tighten. “It means we take care of each other, always.”
“I love that.” I tickle her until she giggles, then set her down.
“Something went wrong with nature when it decided that children should have more energy than their mothers,” Summer laughs as she joins us.
“She’s a hurricane of cuteness.”
Summer watches her daughter climb into the truck bed to grab a teddy bear. “She’s my reason for being, and the reason for my brain fog.”
We both laugh. Then Summer’s expression softens. “Penny, I wanted to ask you something, but please feel free to say no.”
“Of course.”
She hesitates while steadying Mia. “I really need some time off between the shop and Mia taking all my attention. I could do with some adult conversation without being interrupted by clients or little pumpkins.” She taps Mia’s nose with a smile.
“So, what about a girls’ night? Every other Thursday.
I close shop early on Thursdays anyway, and Grace already said she’d babysit. What do you say?”
Excitement bubbles in my chest. “I say yes. Where?”
“Midnight Rodeo? A lot of clients tell me it’s the place to be. I’ve never been, but we could grab drinks, dance if we feel like it, just… unwind. Trust me, Penny, you need this as much as I do.”
I laugh. “That’s Dex’s Bar! I’ve been meaning to go there! And yes you’re probably right. I do need a night out”
“Good. It’s settled then. Every other Thursday, Midnight Rodeo. It’ll be our thing. Our own tradition.”
“That sounds perfect.” I smile and lift my camera. “Now get up there with Mia so I can photograph my two favorite customers.”
The day flies by between snapping shots and making rounds around the Pumpkin Patch. I even carve my own pumpkin, lopsided but proud, then reward myself with a slice of Lily’s warm pumpkin pie, the cinnamon melting across my tongue.
At one point, I gather everyone, Lily, Josh, the brothers, Grace, even Asher, for a group photo, the red truck glowing in the autumn light behind them as I capture some beautiful shots of their family. Then I corral Cas, Jude, Dex, and Ethan for one of just the boys, each wearing their cowboy hats.
“Alright, your turn.” Ethan grins, tossing me a wink as he takes the camera from my hands. “Cas, stand with Penny. Let’s get one of you two.”
My stomach flips. Cas just smirks, easy as anything, and steps beside me. Close, but not too close. His shoulder brushes mine, warm and steady. Then his arm slips lightly around me, his eyes locking me in place until the shutter clicks, breaking the spell.
His mouth curves into a slow smirk, dimples and all. I look away fast, certain my face matches the pumpkins around us.
“I want that picture,” Cas murmurs, his breath brushing my ear as he lets go.
“Sure,” I whisper back. I look up and see Cas glare at something behind me. I turn and smile as Caleb walks over to Grace, who’s standing a few feet away.
“Hi,” Caleb smiles at her, and I see her own smile grow as he takes her hand and pulls her to him. He ignores the five sets of angry eyes pointed at him as he kisses her.
“They’re so cute,” I smile at Cas. He doesn’t smile back. “He’s not good enough for her,” he grumbles as he glares at him.
I laugh. “Will anyone ever be good enough for Grace?”
Cas looks at me. “No.”
I laugh harder.
Ethan, Dex, and Jude join us, all of them staring at Caleb, who is now holding Grace’s hand and listening to her talk animatedly about something, his eyes never leaving her.
“He’s smitten,” I say.
I feel someone come to stand to my right and notice Asher is staring daggers at Caleb too.
“I don’t trust that boy,” he grumbles, and the brothers nod in agreement.
“She’s happy,” I point at them as they walk over to the hot chocolate stand, where Lily hugs Caleb and hands him a cup.
“He’s charmed Mom too,” Jude grumbles.
“If I ever see her cry over him, they’ll have a hard time finding his limbs scattered in the woods,” Dex nods.
“I did not hear that,” Cas clears his throat.
“I’ll hold him down,” Asher says to Dex, whose grin turns downright evil.
“You’re all crazy,” I laugh. “One day you’ll have daughters, you know? What will you do then?”
They all groan.
“Nope, I’m never getting married, so that won’t be a problem,” Dex smiles.