“The biggest,” I admit.
“Holy hell.” She laughs, delighted. “I’m so proud of you. Really proud. You’re finally stepping into the spotlight—it’s exactly what you should be doing.”
Her faith in me hits square in the chest, knocking the breath loose. “Guess you were right,” I say. “It was time.”
“I love hearing that. You’re brave, you know that?”
“Brave might be pushing it,” I say wryly. “More like too tired to keep hiding.”
“Well,” she says, “whatever it is, it’s the right move.”
“Thanks, Penny,” I say softly. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Oh, I’m taking full credit,” she says. “I expect to be mentioned in your next book’s acknowledgments.”
“I’ll definitely do that,” I tell her, the corner of mymouth curving. “But how about I take you out to dinner in the meantime?”
She goes quiet for a beat. “Are you asking me out on a date, Sam Rochelle?”
“I think I am.”
“Well, damn,” she says, voice low and amused.
“So, that’s a yes?”
“That’s a yes,” she confirms, the smile obvious through the line.
Mine matches as the euphoria hits me. “Awesome. I’ll get up with you later to work out a day, but for now, I’m headed to talk to Pap.”
“Going to tell him about S. P. Rochelle,” she guesses.
“Yeah… and give my notice.”
Penny’s voice drops. “I’m sorry. I know how much you love that old man.”
“Yeah… but that’s not what I’m meant to do and I know he’ll understand.” I glance at the clock and know I need to get moving. “I’ll call later and we’ll set up that date.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“Me too.”
♦
Pap’s old Fordsits in its usual spot, the bed full of scrap wood and an empty bait bucket. I find him behind the bar with a rag slung over his shoulder, wiping downbottles that don’t need it. He looks up when I walk in.
“Well, if it isn’t my part-time philosopher,” he says. “You’re not on duty today.”
“Need to talk,” I say, sliding onto a stool.
He cuts me a quick glance. “You look like a man who’s about to confess something.”
“Depends… you going to judge me?”
“Son, I was a Marine for thirty years. I’ve seen worse than whatever you’re about to say.”
That gets a faint laugh out of me. “Fair enough.”
I take the opportunity to collect my thoughts and glance around the bar. It’s been a second home to me at times. From the paneled walls to the scarred bar top, every bit of it speaks to a comfort I’ve enjoyed.
