Page 119 of Penny & Royce

Lucy’s kids, the four younger Meyers siblings, had been left behind. When Lincoln had insisted on a compromise on who would be in attendance, Royce had begrudgingly agreed. The others were about eight years younger than Morgan, who was the last child born to his mother. They weren’t as indoctrinated with Lincoln’s feud mentality. For the most part, they just went along with the others because that was what family did for one another.

Well, when everyone got home today, they’d see just how far that rule would apply.

Royce battled the nerves that wouldn’t abate. What made it worse was the occasional flicker of joy that would appear when he least expected it. That sent his senses into overdrive and caused his fingers to twitch.

Lincoln had cast him several unnerved glances in the truck. He likely knew something was up, but he wasn’t prepared to ask Royce about it. Not now that they’d arrived in Palmer territory.

“You said a new litter was born last week?”

Royce nodded absentmindedly, though if he were honest, he wasn’t paying much attention. With help from Morgan and Rose, he’d gotten Isabelle on board for this little intervention. It had been incredibly difficult to get her to agree not to tell her husband.

Chances were slim that she’d kept it from him, though.

But Royce had a feeling Jason would be more accommodating when it came to a marriage between the two households.

“Royce, you’re here!” Isabelle grinned broadly the second they rounded the side of the house. “They’re just back here.”

“How long is this going to take?” Lincoln muttered. “I have to get back to work. We’re in the middle of baling the hay in the northern field.”

“Hold your horses. It’ll take as long as it takes.”

Lincoln whipped his head around to where Morgan was smirking at him. She probably thought she looked all kinds of innocent with her hands in her pockets and strolling along like she didn’t have a care in the world.

But Lincoln definitely knew better.

Unfortunately for him, he realized it a second too late.

They entered the backyard to find all the Taylors seated in a circle on folding chairs.

Lincoln stopped so quickly that Bentley collided with his back, making an oof sound. Royce’s father muttered something under his breath, and his hard eyes found Royce.

“What have you done?”

Royce shrugged and continued walking.

Nothing was going to get to him today.

Because today he had his own line to draw.

Without missing a beat, he crossed the space to Penny. The nerves in her eyes faded the second he reached for her. She stepped into him, and he lowered his head, kissing her with enough tenderness to make the ripple of gasps around them fade into the background.

He released his wife, reveling in the way she stared up at him, breathless. Her nose and cheeks were now a delightful shade of pink, and her eyes were brighter than ever. He mouthed the words, I love you, before he turned toward his family—or rather half of it—who was still standing on the outskirts.

Morgan shrugged and moved into the circle of doom, choosing to sit beside Rose.

Subtle.

Royce gestured toward the remaining seats, and Penny slipped her trembling hand into his.

“Where are the others?” she whispered.

“Lincoln insisted they didn’t have to come.” He kept his voice low. “They’ll get the rundown later. I’m sure they’ll all be thrilled to know they missed the show.”

He didn’t miss the way Rose smirked.

She must have heard every word.

“What on earth is going on here?” George Taylor shot from his seat, his face resembling a tomato. He whirled to face Isabelle, who stood behind Jason’s seat.