The day flies by between snapping shots and making rounds around the Pumpkin Patch. I even carve my own pumpkin, lopsided but proud, then reward myself with a slice of Lily’s warm pumpkin pie, the cinnamon melting across my tongue.
At one point, I gather everyone, Lily, Josh, the brothers, Grace, even Asher, for a group photo, the red truck glowing in the autumn light behind them as I capture some beautiful shots of their family. Then I corral Cas, Jude, Dex, and Ethan for one of just the boys, each wearing their cowboy hats.
“Alright, your turn.” Ethan grins, tossing me a wink as he takes the camera from my hands.“Cas, stand with Penny. Let’s get one of you two.”
My stomach flips. Cas just smirks, easy as anything, and steps beside me. Close, but not too close. His shoulder brushes mine, warm and steady. Then his arm slips lightly around me, his eyes locking me in place until the shutter clicks, breaking the spell.
His mouth curves into a slow smirk, dimples and all. I look away fast, certain my face matches the pumpkins around us.
“I want that picture,” Cas murmurs, his breath brushing my ear as he lets go.
“Sure,” I whisper back. I look up and see Cas glare at something behind me. I turn and smile as Caleb walks over to Grace, who’s standing a few feet away.
“Hi,” Caleb smiles at her, and I see her own smile grow as he takes her hand and pulls her to him. He ignores the five sets of angry eyes pointed at him as he kisses her.
“They’re so cute,” I smile at Cas. He doesn’t smile back.“He’s not good enough for her,” he grumbles as he glares at him.
I laugh.“Will anyone ever be good enough for Grace?”
Cas looks at me.“No.”
I laugh harder.
Ethan, Dex, and Jude join us, all of them staring at Caleb, who is now holding Grace’s hand and listening to her talk animatedly about something, his eyes never leaving her.
“He’s smitten,” I say.
I feel someone come to stand to my right and notice Asher is staring daggers at Caleb too.
“I don’t trust that boy,” he grumbles, and the brothers nod in agreement.
“She’s happy,” I point at them as they walk over to the hot chocolate stand, where Lily hugs Caleb and hands him a cup.
“He’s charmed Mom too,” Jude grumbles.
“If I ever see her cry over him, they’ll have a hard time finding his limbs scattered in the woods,” Dex nods.
“I did not hear that,” Cas clears his throat.
“I’ll hold him down,” Asher says to Dex, whose grin turns downright evil.
“You’re all crazy,” I laugh.“One day you’ll have daughters, you know? What will you do then?”
They all groan.
“Nope, I’m never getting married, so that won’t be a problem,” Dex smiles.
CHAPTER 12
Penelope
Almost three weeks have passed since I first arrived in Lander, and when Thursday night finally rolls around, Grace is perched on the edge of her bed like she’s about to crown me prom queen. She’s grinning so wide it’s almost scary, holding up a silky green dress that looks nothing like anything I own.
“Trust me,” she insists, practically shoving it at me.“This color will make your eyes pop.”
I glance down at my old jeans and faded T-shirt. They’re safe. Comfortable. Forgettable. Which, for me, is the point. But Grace doesn’t give me time to protest, she’s already tugging my shirt out of my hands, zipping me into the dress, fussing with my hair.
As she smooths the curls around my face, I ask,“We haven’t talked much these days with the pumpkin patch and all… but how was the date?” I wiggle my eyebrows at her through the mirror.
