Page 37 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

I have a feeling we’ve walked into a trap. These ladies are just too choreographed.

“Well, you see, since the lovely Penny said she’d do anything to help”—Rayna glances back at me with a sly smile—“what if we do a little bachelorette thing?! Like the show. Men can sign up to date her, and she can sift through the suitors, going on fall-themed dates, all with the goal that she’ll finally meet someone for her happily ever after!”

I groan, letting my head fall into my hands.

“How in God’s name is that a fundraiser?” Tally laughs.

I glance up and give her an appreciative smile. Someone with reason!

“We can record the dates and upload them to YouTube! Everyone who subscribes will pay a fee.” Stew cheers.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

My heart pounds, but before I can say a word to stop this insanity, Monty bolts to his feet, kicking back his chair in the process. All the chatter in the room dies at the sound. “No one else is dating Penny,” he says with such vehemence I think he might tear a ligament in his neck.

“But why?” Rayna asks, a smirk on her face.

Monty doesn’t even look at me as he declares, “Because Penny Darling is mine.”

Well, that’s one way to announce it to the town.

Hope Harbor Happy Chat

Babs: Who has the video from last night? I know someone was filming. Ruby, you always have that phone out.

Mindy: I need that video! Babs hasn’t shut up about what happened all morning.

Rayna: I’m sure there’s CCTV of town meetings. Right, Mr. Mayor?

Stew: I can log in to the town server and check. Give me five.

Ruby: I took out my phone too late. All I have is a red-faced Penny and a growling Monty. He kicked that chair clear across the stage!

Rayna: Someone could have been hurt.

Babs: Oh who cares! I’d take a concussion for that video!

Fletcher: I’ll remind you this chat is for official town business.

Rayna: What is more official than our sweet Penny Darling being claimed by Jake Montgomery DURING a town meeting?

Chapter 14

Monty

Me: Are you still mad at me?

Penny: Define mad.

I chuckle. So she’s not that upset. Honestly, this was the best-case scenario. Now everyone knows and she avoided becoming the next bachelorette. And to top it all off, afterward, Rayna told us the Liberty Ladies would be happy to handle planning for the Maple Festival so that we could focus on our “burgeoning love.”

Truly a win-win in my book.

Also, I’m the only one dating Penny. Well, fake dating her, but still.

“Could you tell your father dinner will be ready in thirty minutes?” Vovo asks from her spot by the stove.

I nod and shove my phone into my pocket, not sure yet how I want to respond to Penny.