From the moment she and her father moved to Poppy Creek, Penny viewed Beverly Lawrence as a surrogate mother. Some of her favorite memories were of Story Hour at the library, when Beverly, the head librarian, would read aloud to a gaggle of enraptured children. As she got older, Penny would spend countless afternoons at the historic landmark, curled up on the secluded window seat surrounded by a pile of classics likeAnne of Green GablesandWives and Daughters. There were several occasions when Beverly would lock up late because Penny had been too engrossed in the well-thumbed pages to notice the time.
“You know how Mayor Burns is on this kick to increase tourism?” Cassie asked.
“Don’t remind me,” Jack snorted. “The other day, he tried to talk me into hanging curtains at the diner. Curtains! Not to mention repainting my front door and adding some planter boxes out front. ‘Cosmetic improvements,’ he called it. Oh, and he asked me to change the name, too. Apparently, Jack’s Diner isn’t catchy enough. Never mind it’s straightforward and to the point. Can you believe the nerve of that guy?” Crossing his arms, Jack snarled in outrage.
Cassie offered a sympathetic grimace. “I know. He’s a little… over zealous. He’s working with the chamber of commerce to update the town’s guidebook. Beverly volunteered to write a travel guide specifically for senior citizens. Mayor Burns loved the idea, but insisted she include firsthand experiences and anecdotes. But if she’s taking care of Frank, Beverly won’t have time. I’d offer to do it for her, except I’ve already promised to spend extra hours working with Frank on the second edition ofThe Mariposa Method. The publisher expects it by the end of the month.”
“I’ll do it,” Penny blurted before she could stop herself.
“Are you sure?” The creases around Cassie’s eyes softened with relief. “That would be a huge help.”
Penny nodded, although her stomach twisted in revolt. She didn’t know the first thing about researching and writing a tourism article. Let alone what activities would appeal to senior citizens. “No problem,” she lied. “I’m happy to do it.”
“Thanks, Pen. I’m sure Beverly will gladly give you ideas for the list. And they’ll probably be easy things you can knock out in a weekend. Mayor Burns is holding a meeting tomorrow night at six o’clock in the town hall for everyone contributing to the guidebook. Can you make it?”
“Sure. That’s right around the time I close up shop, anyway.” With unsteady hands, Penny brought the teacup to her lips, taking a much-needed sip. Now lukewarm, it tasted sharp and bitter, doing little to assuage her mounting anxiety.
“Excellent. Let’s see… what else?” Cassie scrunched her features as she mentally tallied her talking points. “Oh! That’s right!” With an apologetic lilt, she said, “Liza, I’ll probably have to rely on you a little more around here while I’m helping Frank. Which I feel terrible about, considering we just had our grand opening and—”
“Don’t you dare worry about it,” Eliza quickly cut in. “You and Luke are saints, postponing your honeymoon and everything.”
“We don’t mind.” Cassie cast an affectionate glance at her husband of only a few days. “I’ve always wanted to visit Paris in the fall, anyway.”
Luke reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze before Cassie returned her attention to the group. “Luke’s offered his woodworking talents to make Frank a sturdy walker. And although Reed is out of town at a gardening convention right now, he’s volunteered to handle Frank’s landscaping needs as soon as he gets back.”
As Penny listened to Cassie tick off the various tasks already taken care of, her heart warmed. This was what she loved most about living in a small town—the way everyone came together, utilizing their unique skills to help someone in need. Reed Hollis ran the local nursery, and although he already spent every day tending two acres of lush flower beds, he didn’t hesitate to lend a hand.
And neither did anyone else in the room.
Well… except forone.
Penny realized Colt had been uncharacteristically quiet during the entire exchange. Not that she was all that surprised. Colt didn’tdocommunity. In fact, he prided himself on his nomadic, solitary lifestyle, preferring his ridiculous—and often dangerous—adventures to anything as mundane as helping a friend in need. To be honest, she wasn’t sure why he was even here. Last she’d heard, he planned to leave town right after the wedding.
Drumming her fingertips against the tabletop, Cassie cleared her throat. “There’s one problem I can’t seem to find a solution for…” She hesitated, drawing in a deep breath before exhaling slowly. “The thing is, Frank really shouldn’t be alone. I realize Beverly or one of us will be there during the day, but what about at night? What if he falls? Or needs help? There should be someone there at all times.”
Cassie seemed to go out of her way to avoid looking directly at Colt. Which struck Penny as odd. It wasn’t as if…
Oh, no! No way.Cassie couldn’t be considering Colt for the job, could she? That would be certifiably insane. Frank needed someone reliable. Not the guy who’d lost their third-grade mascot, Toadious, the weekend he took the classroom’s pet bullfrog home. Or the guy who didn’t merely live lifeonthe edge, he dangled off of it—regardless of the consequences.
No, Colt—aka pandemonium personified—was the last person who should be taking care of Frank. Or a bullfrog. Or anything living, for that matter. Not even a potted cactus should be left in his care.
Penny racked her brain for an alternative. Couldshestay with Frank? It would mean relocating Chip for a while, but perhaps….
“I’ll stay with him.”
A hush fell over the room as all eyes turned to Colt.
“Really?” Cassie asked, her lips twitching as though fighting back a knowing grin.
Colt shrugged. “Sure. I can stay in town a little longer. All my stuff’s in storage, anyway.”
At this revelation, Luke straightened. “Why’s your stuff in storage? Where have you been living?”
“Relax, big brother,” Colt drawled, slouching in the chair, both legs stretched beneath the table. “I’d planned on taking a cross-country trip after your wedding, so I didn’t renew my lease.”
“A cross-country trip on your motorcycle?” Luke’s tone dripped with disapproval.
“People do it all the time.” Colt raised his chin, either defensive or defiant, Penny couldn’t tell.
