Page 109 of Penny & Royce

If she hadn’t been a member of the Taylor family, she might have had a shot at getting these two families to see that they would be so much happier just dropping all the baggage of the past that weighed them down.

Out of nowhere, Penny’s stomach swirled. She could feel the blood drain from her face as she fought the urge to lose everything she’d eaten for lunch that day.

Rose got to her feet, quickly realizing what was happening. “Can I get you something? A bowl? A drink?”

Morgan inched to the edge of her seat. “Are you okay?”

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Penny closed her eyes and focused on the cool air that whooshed through her airways. Sometimes it was enough just to feel the lowered temperature.

In and out.

When she finally settled herself, she found two concerned women watching her.

No, not concerned.

It was something else.

They glanced at each other for a moment, then back to Penny.

“What?” Penny demanded.

“What were you thinking about just now?” Rose asked.

Penny shrugged. “That I wish I could mediate this issue between your households.”

Rose’s eyes narrowed. “You love your job.”

“Yeah…” she drawled. “So?”

“Have you ever had an episode when you’re working? Helping people through anything? Even the hard cases?”

She had to think about that for a long moment. “No, I can’t say that I have.”

Once again, the two women exchanged curious glances.

“When did you get married again?” Morgan asked.

“A month and a half ago. I think.” Penny made a face. “I guess it could have been two months? Or less than that? I don’t really know. It happened so fast, and I haven’t exactly been in the best headspace.”

She blushed.

What woman couldn’t remember the exact day she got married?

She could figure it out if she really wanted to, but it didn’t seem like there was much point in doing so right now.

Rose settled back on her seat and leaned forward, her forearms bracing on her thighs. “Penny, I need to ask you something, and I don’t want you to panic.”

This was not what Penny had expected at all for today. Not her cousin and Royce’s sister showing up unannounced. Not for the two of them to share the opinion that the feud needed to end, even though Rose seemed to get a kick out of messing with Lincoln. And certainly not for Rose to suddenly put her on high alert.

“You’re scaring me, if I’m honest,” Penny whispered.

Rose nodded and reached for Penny’s hand. “Have you had a period since…”

The room spun as realization hit.