“Good.” She dipped her head in an approving nod, like a teacher who’d finally gotten through to her pupil. “Sweet dreams, dear one.”
With a final goodbye, she turned and descended the porch steps, disappearing into the moonlit shadows.
As Colt watched her go, his mind churned with everything that had transpired.
And everything he needed to do next.
Including asking someone for a personal favor.
Chapter 21
As Colt hung up the phone, his heart swelled with gratitude and elated anticipation. Thanks to his unexpected ally, he’d be able to give Penny the epic first date she deserved.
Stuffing his cell in his back pocket, he pushed through the front door of Thistle & Thorn.
Glancing up from a history book laid open on the checkout counter, Bree flushed a pale pink that matched her bubblegum-colored poodle skirt. “Hi,” she said with a shy smile. “Penny’s not here right now.”
“I know.” Colt flashed a mischievous grin. He’d asked Cassie to lure her from the store for a few minutes so he could talk to Bree alone. “I’m actually looking for you.”
“Y-you are?” she stammered in surprise.
“Yep.” He sidestepped a large wooden butter churn and approached the counter. “You know how Penny asked you to build a sandcastle for her when you move to Santa Barbara?”
“Yeah…” She cocked her head curiously.
“For our date on Saturday, I’d like to take her somewhere to build her own. Do you know if she has a favorite beach?”
“What a great idea!” Bree beamed, before pinching her brows in contemplation. “I don’t recall her ever mentioning a specific beach. But…” She trailed off, tapping a finger to her lips.
“But what?”
“Well, she has this photograph of a beach hanging in her kitchen. It stood out to me because the rest of her artwork is either a painting or a tapestry. So, the photograph seems personal, you know?”
Colt nodded, his heartbeat accelerating.
“I asked her about it,”—Bree continued with a small shrug—“but all she said was something vague about it being her happy place.”
Deep in thought, Colt ran a hand through his hair. Penny’s happy place sounded perfect, but how would he find out where the photograph was taken? Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he leaned across the counter eagerly. “Bree, can you do me a huge favor?”
“Maybe.” She squinted through thick eyelashes. “What kind of favor?”
“I need you to stand guard while I sneak into Penny’s apartment for a peek at that photo.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, I don’t know…”
“I admit, it’s a long shot,” he said in a rush, his adrenaline pumping now. “But I have an idea. And if it works, I’m sure Penny won’t mind the brief intrusion.”
Chewing her bottom lip, she glanced at the front door. “But what if she comes back while you’re up there?”
“I’m sure you’ll think of some way to stall her. I can be in and out in less than ten minutes,” he assured her.
“I guess itwouldbe pretty special if you could find the same beach,” Bree admitted slowly, a smile lighting her eyes. “Okay, I’ll be lookout.”
“Perfect! Thank you.” Excitement rising in his chest, he strode toward the back of the shop.
“Wait! One more thing.” Bree leveled a serious gaze on him. “Make sure you close the door behind you. The frame is warped and it won’t shut all the way unless you really give it a good shove.”
“I’ll be in and out so quickly, I figured I’d just leave it open.”
