Page 97 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

I glance back at the two little guys, who don’t seem terribly bothered by being reprimanded. They’re already racing around the yard, not a care in the world.

“Well, that’s nice of you.”

“I’ll go get your order together,” Walker tells us.

“I was thinking I’d go in and say hi to Gail,” Vovo says. “Why don’t you help Penny with those rascals until I’m done?”

Penny nibbles on her lip as she tries to hold back a smile, shaking her head as Vovo disappears inside with Tally.

“You sure you’ll be okay with them both?” Fletcher asks, looking back toward Henry and Quinn, who are talking to Daisy. Penny reassures him we’ll be fine. I promise to stick around for a bit as we watch the mayor disappear toward his car.

“So how’s your list coming along?” I say, voice low.

Penny sucks in a breath and shakes her head. “Stop.” But she laughs and that joy I woke up with beats a steady cadence in my chest. It’s like my heart is trying to find a way outside the confines I’ve placed it in.

I snag her fingers in my own and squeeze. Then I sigh as I glance past her toward the gorgeous fields, where I spy rows and rows of sunflowers and chrysanthemums. “I haven’t been here in so long.”

“You literally drove me here five weeks ago.”

I chuckle. “A lot happened that day. I barely saw the place. Give me a tour.”

Penny rolls her eyes and then leans her head against my shoulder as we walk hand in hand through the yard in the direction of the meadows—though Penny keeps one eye on Henry and Quinn, who continue to chatter away with Daisy.

“Well, if you remember, the east fields are where the daffodil and tulip beds are resting.” I look over to where she is pointing. Now, the flower fields look desolate, but I know that, in the spring, they bloom into the most gorgeous spot on the farm. “And just next to them is where we normally have the pumpkins for grab-and-go picking.” She sighs. “Though we’re not offering that this year.”

I glance her way. “Because of your father?”

Her lips twist. “Yeah.” She shrugs. “It’s not the same without him.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t make it for the funeral, Penny.” Fuck, I was an asshole. Ten years ago my life fell apart and I walked away, never looking back. And despite how I failed to be here for her when she needed it, Penny didn’t so much as blink when I came back into her life.

She glances my way. “You were busy making your dreams come true.”

I swallow and stare out at the farm, wishing I could make it up to her. Wishing I could change the past.

“So, um, have you gotten any words done?” she asks, changing the subject.

I focus on the fields before us. “No, our little matchmaker interrupted me before I could start.”

Penny giggles and the tightness in my chest eases at the sound.

“Can we take Daisy for a walk?” Quinn screams in our direction. Though, as we both turn to him, it’s clear he’s already entering the cow’s pen with a yellow leash in hand.

“Oh shit,” Penny mutters. “I better get back.”

“Want my help? I can hang with you guys for the day.”

Penny looks at me, face serious. “You owe me words.”

“Fine.” I chuckle. “I’ll go get Vovo and get started.”

Her copper eyes lift to mine. “Will you come over later?”

I wrap an arm beneath her long auburn hair and squeeze her neck. “I’ll do anything you want, Xuxuzinho.”

Her teeth tug on her bottom lip. “Anything?”

I chuckle and press a kiss to her cheek before whispering in her ear, “Make that list.”