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“Tucker, beer and food if you get your dog off me!” I shout, just as he appears on the porch.
“Had enough animals for today, Duck Daddy?” he jokes, but signals for his dog to jump down.
“Nah, I left them with a friend who has a rescue.” The lie feels thick on my tongue. Penny isnotmy friend, she’s my forever.
“Just a friend?” Tucker asks, lifting his dark eyebrows. He reaches for the second beer on my table, popping the top and taking a long pull.
“No, not just a friend. But that’s all you’re getting right now. Who are you anyway, Kenna?” I toss out. His twin is usually the family gossip.
“Oh, fuck off, you brought me here to call in a favor. Which you never do. Let’s just say I’m suspicious. So, cut to the point.”
Turning away, I grab Penny’s blue brush and toss it to him. Tucker catches it and then looks at me quizzically.
“I want you to use that to run a DNA sample against Rosie’s,” I blurt out.
“How the hell am I going to get a sample from Rosie?” He asks.
“You’re a cop. Figure it out. And do it quick, because you still owe me and I need answers.”
“I am a cop, and you need to tell me more. There is no fucking way I’m running stolen DNA without a cause. Favor or not. Brother or not.” His face is stone cold. Damn, maybe I should have asked Kenna instead.
Fine. Whatever.
I open my mouth and tell him all about Penny, sharing about our run-ins and her car trouble. The ducks, and how I thought she was Rosie the first time I met her. Then I share my suspicions, Lizzy and Briar, the famous parents, everything.
“Christian, I’ll admit it’s weird as fuck, but why would anyone switch babies? What if it’s just a coincidence?” He brings up some solid points—what would swapping babies do for someone?
“I don’t know, but something doesn’t feel right and I don’t want to blow up everyone’s lives over a hunch.” I shrug, feeling like an idiot.
“Ya, I guess that makes sense. I’ll get it done. Now you owe me some Mexican food,” he says, getting to his feet.
We head out to grab some dinner, and although I feel happy to be with my brother, I mostly just miss being around Penny.
Rubbing the sudden ache in my chest, I shoot her a quick text.
Me: Saturday, My Place, 10 AM. Miss you, baby.
Little Bird: Can’t wait. Miss you too.
Chapter Ten
Penelope
Abead of sweat rolls down my back, despite the truck’s amazing air conditioning.
The entire ride over has been filled with doubts. What if it was all in my head? What if Christian doesn’t want me? What if he does right now, but he stops wanting me when someone prettier and thinner comes along?
My stomach flutters like I swallowed a whole swarm of butterflies. A swarm of butterflies? Do butterflies swarm? Now I need to know, so I park the car in front of Christian’s house and pull out my phone.
Hmm, apparently theydoswarm, but a group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope. That’s kind of pretty. A knock on the window startles me and I almost jump out of my skin. Pressing my hand over my heart, I swivel around to see who it is and I’m met with the handsomest face. His chiseled jaw has well-trimmed scruff lining it today, and his blue eyes twinkle inamusement. He attempts to open the door, but it’s still locked, and he huffs in mock outrage.
Pushing the button, I quickly turn off the engine, unbuckle my seatbelt, open the door, and fling myself into Christian’s outstretched arms. His woodsy scent surrounds me and I wrap my legs around his waist.
“Missed you, Little Bird,” he whispers into my hair, and I feel all of my self-doubts seep away as he squeezes me tight.
He carries me to his home, and once he’s shut the door behind us, he slowly slides me down his body, my soft curves against his hard ridges. Christian cups my chin, tilting my head toward him before he drops his mouth to mine for a soft kiss. He leans his head back, still holding my hips, and lets out a deep groan.
“I was going to take you to the Strawberry Festival, and you show up looking like that?” he whines.
