Holly paused, as if wrestling with a decision. “He asked about you yesterday.”
Penny felt her skin grow warm. “He did?”
“You made a good impression.”
A million questions rushed into Penny’s head. “What did you tell him?”
“Nothing you wouldn’t want me to,” Holly said right away. “We talked about the bookstore, mostly.”
“What else?”
“His questions were all … professionally focused, I guess you could say?”
“That sounds … fine?”
“He didn’t ask about your personal life, and I didn’t share.”
“Got it. Good.”
“You won’t get any meddling nonsense from me —promise. You know that’s not my style.”
Penny nodded. “I know that. Thank you.”
“Though I should warn you,” Holly said, glancing around the room, “there are folks here who won’t hesitate to —”
“Oh, believe me, I know.”
Her friend sighed. “Probably inevitable given the territory.”
“I’m fine —it’s not me I’m worried about — but Daniel’s a newcomer and….”
“Well, I guess you’ll soon find out if he’s made of stern-enough stuff.”
With a start, Penny realized that she really needed to stop talking about Daniel. Casting about for a new topic, she pointedto the table. “You’ve gone all out this year. I’ll definitely be having some of your amazing apple pie. Anything I can help with?”
“Possibly.” Holly was still scanning the room. “Can you check on the cider? Ed and Ike are trying out a new recipe.”
“Sure.”
“They’re in the kitchen.” Her friend’s gaze landed on someone across the room. “Oh, the mayor’s arrived. I should say hi.”
“Go. If you need anything —”
“I’ll find you —thanks!”
Penny eased her way through the crowd to the kitchen, which, unlike her own tiny kitchenette, was spacious and modern. As always when she visited, she couldn’t help but admire the generous grey-white marble countertops, tall white cabinets, and stainless-steel appliances.
Next to the stove, Daniel was huddled in conversation with Gabe’s orchard team: Mabel, Ike, and Ed.
Mabel saw her approaching and waved her over. A tall woman in her late fifties with lively green eyes and short brown-grey hair, she was wearing a white apron over a red-and-white Christmas sweater.
“Penny, good to see you,” Mabel said, giving her a quick hug.
“Good to see you, too,” Penny replied. “What’s the apron for?”
“Snickerdoodle duty,” Mabel said. “Just put a new batch in the oven.” She gestured to the tall, thin man next to her—Ike, her husband —and the short, grizzled man —Ed —next to him.“You know these two, right?”
“Of course. Good to see you both.”
