I bit back a snicker at Penny’s poor attempt at sympathy as he said, “I'm sorry to hear that.”
Dawson waved off his condolence. “It's for the best. Frankly, we made each other miserable.” He leaned in closer. “But, when I came back to Eastcliff, I'd be lying to say I didn't hope to find you. I’ve thought about you.”
“You have?” Penny asked, shifting subtly to maintain the distance between them.
“I think I made a mistake.” Dawson’s brows dipped in a more serious expression. “No, IknowI did. I took you for granted.” He laid his hand on Penny’s arm, earning a frown he seemed keen to ignore.
Suddenly, I understood Penny’s need all those months ago to kiss me where Levitt could see. Watching this other man put his hands onmyintended made me bristle. I wanted nothing more than to drag Penny out of Dawson’s reach and stake my claim the same way Penny had. Leave no doubt that the other man had lost his chance and send him on his way.
I started toward them.
“Seeing you now,” Dawson continued, “maybe it’s fate, you know?”
Penny’s eyes narrowed as he pulled against Dawson’s grip. “I don’t…”
I could tell even from several feet away that Penny was uncomfortable. His hands were fisted at his sides and a scowl twisted his lips. I would be damned if I let this other man undo all the progress I’d made in cheering Penny up, so I quickened my steps.
Dawson carried on, oblivious to Penny’s unease. “You aren’t busy, are you? Maybe we could catch up. Slip away to the barn like old times?” He crowded in and caressed Penny’s cheek.
Penny jerked free and nearly collided with me as I stepped up behind him.
“Sorry,” I said, “but I’m afraid the barn is already booked for this afternoon.”
The tension drained out of Penny’s body as he pressed up against me. “Oh, Kit! This is Dawson.”
I knew very well who the other man was, but I played along. “Dawson Hilliard?”
Dawson glanced between us, though his attention ultimately landed on me. “And you are?”
I held out a hand, and when Dawson took it, I gripped it tightly as I said, “I'm Penny's husband.”
Dawson’s face washed pale. “Oh. That's... wonderful,” he said, pulling his hand back. His throat bobbed in a hard swallow. “Is it recent?”
“It’s permanent,” I said through a grin. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re busy.” I turned Penny back toward the tanner’s stand, then positioned myself between him and Dawson. “Find what you needed, sweetheart?”
Penny nodded and gave the coin out to the tanner along with a muttered apology for the interruption. Moments later, we were exiting the market, leaving Dawson with his regrets.
The quiet of the little wooded lane was a welcome relief after the activity in the market, and we walked hand in hand in silence until we were well away from it all. Then Penny bumped his shoulder against mine, and I glanced over to find him smirking.
“Permanent, hmm?” he asked.
“Did you think I planned to marry you temporarily?”
His laugh was the best thing I’d heard in days. “Well, no,” he said. “I’m just not used to you being so…proprietary.” His eyes met mine, bright and full of gratitude.
I shrugged. “He had his hands on you. I didn’t like it.”
Penny chuckled. “That makes two of us.”
“He has some nerve trying to get you back after what he put you through. But I see you have a type.” I gestured to myself. “Tall, dark hair…”
Penny scoffed. “Dawson is nothing like you. Not even close.You’remy type.He’san ass. No comparison.”
About halfway back to the farm, I tugged Penny off the road and into a shaded copse that provided more privacy than we’d had in what felt like weeks. I set the crate of strawberries down and sprawled in the grass, then patted the space beside me.
Penny stretched out there with a heavy sigh, pillowing his head on my shoulder. After a few moments of soaking in the chorus of birdsong in the canopy above us, his arm crept around my waist and he pressed in closer.
“I miss our house,” he admitted quietly.
