Cas notices immediately.“Hey,” he murmurs, voice low.“Look at me.”
I lift my eyes to his.
“You’re safe here,” he says, firm but gentle.“He’s not getting near you again. I won’t let him.”
There’s something unshakable in his gaze, a promise that wraps around me like forged armor. His words steady the storm roaring inside, and I finally let myself breathe.
Once I finish the paperwork, Cas walks with me down the hall to a small hearing room where a judge reviews the forms and glances at the photos. The judge, a gray-haired woman with glasses perched low on her nose, looks up in recognition.
“Sheriff Hawthorne,” she says warmly, then looks down at the papers in her hand.“Is Miss Lawson a friend of yours?”
“Mine and my family’s, Judge,” Cas replies with that steady tone of his. Her gaze shifts to me, softening.“You’re doing the right thing, dear. We’ll issue a temporary order today. He won’t be able to come near you or contact you in any way.” My throat tightens as she signs the papers. The scratch of her pen feels louder than it should… final, definitive. Just like that, I’m one step closer to being free.
???
When we step outside, the crisp mountain air hits my face, cool and sharp. I take a deep breath, letting it fill my lungs.“Thank you, Cas. I couldn’t have done that alone.”
He adjusts his hat, eyes lingering on mine.“You don’t have to thank me, Penny. I just want you to know you’ve got people here who care about you, people who are going to make sure you’re okay.”
I look away from his knowing eyes, swallowing hard, and nod.
As promised, we stop by Sugar & Spice. The bell over the door jingles softly, and the smell of cinnamon, coffee, and baked apples wraps around me like a blanket.
Summer spots us immediately.“Well, if it isn’t my favorite customer and the sheriff,” she teases, her grin bright until her gaze catches on my blotchy face.“What happened?”
I glance at Cas, then back at her. My voice comes out quiet but steady.“I filed the restraining order today.”
Summer’s expression softens. She steps out from behind the counter and pulls me into a hug that’s all warmth and smells like cinnamon.“I’m so proud of you, Penny.”
Her words land deep, pride, not pity, and something in my chest loosens.
Cas stands nearby, hat in hand, a small, approving smile curving his lips.
“She deserves some sweets and a good coffee,” he says.
Summer grins.“I’ve got just the thing, those apple cinnamon buns you liked so much yesterday.” She slides them onto a plate and sets it in front of us, followed by two steaming pumpkin spice lattes.
“That was the hardest part,” Cas says quietly once we sit at the counter.
“Yeah,” I breathe, taking off my coat.“I just want to move forward now.”
He nods, then reaches across the counter, his hand warm as it closes gently over mine.“Your life’s like a blank canvas now,” he says, voice low and certain.“You decide what you paint on it. Choose the colors that fit you, that make you happy and make it yours.”
I look at him, and my heart squeezes at the difference between him and Mark. Cas builds people up. He encourages, steadies, strengthens. Mark only ever tore me down, piece by piece, until I couldn’t see myself anymore.
“You’re a good man, Cas Hawthorne,” I whisper.
He opens his mouth to reply, but Summer returns right then, setting the pastries and lattes in front of us with a wink.“There you go. Eat up! You’ve both earned it.” She flashes a grin and moves to help another customer.
I smile, trying to lighten the weight between us.“I think Summer’s trying to give us diabetes.”
Cas chuckles, his eyes glinting with amusement.“If this is how I go, at least I’ll die happy, cinnamon and sugar in hand.”
I laugh, and the sound feels good, clean, like the air outside.
For now, that’s enough.
CHAPTER 7
