Cas’s phone buzzes. He glances at the screen, jaw tight.“Emergency call. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Are you okay to stay here, or do you want me to take you back to the ranch?”
“I’m good. Don’t worry.” I nod.
He smiles, takes another bun from the plate, and I watch him stride out, the bell jingling as the door closes behind him.
Summer studies me, her voice dropping.“Honey, I’m sorry if I’m not minding my damn business.” She lowers her voice.“Those bruises, they’re not from him, are they?”
“No!” The word bursts out too fast, too desperate. A woman at a nearby table looks at us. I lower my voice.“No. Not Cas. He’s the one making sure I’m okay.”
Relief smooths her face. A grin curls her lips.“Good.’Cause the way that man looks at you? Whew.” She fans herself with a paper napkin.“He’s got it bad.”
Heat creeps up my neck. I duck my head, but a smile escapes anyway.“Oh no, I just met him yesterday.”
“He never took his eyes off you,” Summer says, conspiratorial.“Like you hung the moon.”
Her words nudge at something inside of me, but I promised myself I’d never listen to that nudge again.“I’m not looking for love right now,” I say, determined.
“I know the feeling.” Summer looks somber, like her own heart agrees with mine.“Anyway, if a boyfriend’s not on our wishlist right now, how about a new friend?” She smiles bright.
Before I can answer, she’s sliding her phone across the counter.“Let’s swap numbers. You’d be the first friend I make in this town.”
I grin, typing mine in.“Deal. As long as I can take pictures here sometime. The light’s perfect.”
“You into photography?”
I nod.“It’s my thing. Been a while, though.”
“Well then,Sugar & Spiceis yours anytime. Actually, would you mind taking photos of the shop for me? My phone shots don’t do it justice, and I need to fill my social media pages to start marketing this place.”
“Sure. Once my car’s fixed, I’ll come by.” I look around the shop.“I already know what shots to take.” I smile.
“Perfect.”
“Penny, wanna help me color?” Mia tugs my hand, crayons clutched in her fist.
“Of course,” I smile, following her to a little table. She chatters about school, her favorite colors, about nothing at all, and I find myself enjoying spending time with her. It’s like I forgot how fun it is to be little again. We laugh and pretend to be the princesses we’re coloring. Summer walks over and joins the fun.
CHAPTER 6
Casper
The bell over the door jingles when I step back intoSugar & Spice, the sharp bite of October air still clinging to my jacket. My gaze sweeps the shop, habit I’ll never break, but it lands on her instantly.
Penny.
She’s in the corner, coffee cupped in both hands, laughing. Really laughing. Head tipped back, red hair catching the late morning light streaming through the window. Her shoulders are loose, easy like for once, the weight she carries has finally slipped right off.
Mia’s little hands tug at Penny’s sleeve, bouncing with energy, while Summer leans in, animatedly explaining something. Penny laughs, smoothing Mia’s hair, leaning forward to listen. Every small gesture, the tilt of her head, the soft smile, the way she mirrors the child’s joy, hits me harder than I expect. She’s light in motion, warmth in a world that can be cold as hell.
Behind her, the big window frames trees blazing gold and orange, the kind of fall colors that make you stop just to take them in. But she puts them all to shame. She belongs in this season: warm, rich, untouchable. Like autumn itself decided to sit in a coffee shop and smile.
She’s the most beautiful damn thing I’ve ever seen.
Summer smirks when she catches me watching.“We were just talking about you, Sheriff.”
Penny freezes mid-laugh, eyes snapping to me. Her whole face flushes a soft pink that punches the air right out of my chest. Those whiskey-colored eyes dart down to her mug, then back up, trying not to look at me, and failing completely.
And hell if I can look away.
