Page 122 of Penny & Royce

Lincoln turned on his heel and charged in the direction from which they’d come.

“What about the dogs?” Royce called out.

“Pick one for me. I’m not going anywhere near that woman if I can help it.”

Bentley chuckled at his side, then let loose a whistle. “That could have gone so much worse.”

They both glanced over to where their father stood but found him following Lincoln out.

Bentley clapped Royce on the back. “He’ll come around. It’s just gonna take him some time.”

Royce nodded. Then he cut a look toward George Taylor.

The man was seated now, his back slumped and his eyes locked on nothing at all. He looked just as defeated as Royce’s father. He must have felt Royce’s eyes because he lifted his own and their gazes locked.

He didn’t say anything.

But there was a slight quirk of his lips.

Then one jerk of his chin.

That was about all Royce could expect from the man regarding their truce.

Two slender arms wrapped around him from behind. Royce turned toward Penny and pulled her into his arms. When she smiled up at him, he lowered his head and kissed her.

This kiss was softer than the one before. More like a promise for the future to come.

Then he placed a hand to her belly, imagining it swelling in the coming months. When his eyes lifted to hers, he whispered, “My whole world.”

EPILOGUE

PENNY

“Idon’t think you realize just how lucky we are that Mateo and Nikki are so willing to let us use their property as a sort of no-man’s-land,” River mused as she placed a beautiful white cake on the table.

Penny chuckled. “Oh, believe me, I know. I don’t think there is any way Royce’s father would allow his daughters to cross the fence for something as ordinary as a baby shower.”

River scrunched up her face. “He might as well get used to it. The baby is going to be born eventually. And that means he’s going to have to be on his best behavior.”

“According to Royce, his dad is still struggling. Lincoln too.” Penny adjusted a stack of napkins beside the cake. “It’s a hard thing to rewire your brain after going so long without seeing a whole family as real people.”

River’s expression softened.

Penny gave her a pointed look. “Just be grateful you only have your wayward sister to deal with.”

River sighed. “Skye is a different issue all on her own.”

“Has she been taken into custody since that one time?”

Based on the flat look River shot in her direction, Penny took that as a yes. She grimaced as she adjusted the banner draped across the edge of the table.

“How is my brother handling it? He’s always been more of a control freak.”

River shrugged. “It’s different when it’s not your sister, you know? I think it’s easier for him to separate from things like that. Honestly, now that you’ve gotten your stuff with Royce figured out, he’s doing really well.” She flashed a wide smile. “Have you visited your mom lately? She’s been doing really good every time we’ve gone to see her.”

Penny nodded, a hand absently on her belly. “I’m not sure we’re ready to put her in a memory care facility yet, but I can sense it’s coming. It makes me nervous. Sometimes I go to see her and she doesn’t remember that I’m pregnant. Then I turn around and I can see the confusion on her face.”

“Aiden has been a lifesaver,” River mused. “He’s been taking small shifts when your mother’s nurse needs time off.”