“It’ll be a lot of hard work, to be sure, but absolutely, I think it’s possible. More than possible. I think you could really turn this into something you can be proud of. You say the word and I’ll start making phone calls.”
“Let’s hold off for now. Let me do a little more research and stuff,” I say, not wanting to get too far ahead of myself too quickly.
“Okay. You just say when.” Another pat and she turns to face forward again.
Could it really be possible?
Opening a dance studio...
Teaching other kids like me...
Making a life for myself here in Wren Cove...
Oddly enough, that seems like the hardest feat of all—standing still. Planting roots in the one place I couldn’t wait to get out of. And yet, I don’t get that sick feeling inside when I think about it like I used to.
In fact, I feel almost excited.
But that’s not all it is.
For the first time in a very long time, I feel hopeful.
And I think that scares me more than anything else in the whole world. Because I know first-hand what it feels like to have hope and then to not have any at all, and I never want to feel that way again.
We pull into the church parking lot just a couple short minutes later, and I try to push all things business and Penn Kade related to the back of my mind, determined to be present for Franny and Alan and their beautiful baby boy. The two have been like family since I was little.
Then again, that’s true about a lot of people in Wren Cove. Everyone is like family here. Something I definitely took for granted over the years.
Maybe it’s time that I stop dwelling on what I lost and start looking ahead at what can still be gained. I’m still young. I have a lot of life left ahead of me, God willing, and I don’t want to look back one day and realize I wasted it all by wallowing in my own pain and bitterness.
With that thought at the forefront of my mind, I follow my parents into church and lo and behold, who is the first person I see?
Penn Alexander Kade.
Message received, God,I think to myself. Message received.
“Randy. Lori.” He tips his head before his incredible hazel eyes find me. “London.”
“Penn.” I return the gesture.
“If you’ll excuse us, we’re going to go see little Jeffery before the service starts,” my mom says, giving me a subtle wink as she and my father quickly excuse themselves.
“I didn’t know you’d be here today,” Penn says once they’re gone.
“I didn’t know you’d be here either,” I reply. “What happened to the church catching on fire if you ever stepped foot through those doors?” I gesture behind me.
“A lot of things have changed.” He rocks back on his heels.
“I can see that.” I give him a slow once-over, taking the time to really appreciate the man he’s grown into.
“Shall we find a seat?”
“We?” I arch a brow.
“My mom decided not to come today, and since Walker and Alec wouldn’t be caught dead in church, I’m riding solo. You’d be really helping me out.” He grins.
My mind flashes back to the dream I woke from just an hour ago, the one where he was on top of me, moving inside of me, and my skin instantly warms.
“You okay?” he asks, giving me a curious look, like he can read my thoughts and know exactly what I’m thinking about right at this very moment.
