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Farther down the street, on the same side as the school, are more little shops. Each of the shops has windows with twinkle lights, scenes painted on the glass and wreaths on the doors. Everything is festive.
I notice a small coffee shop that has tables outside for people to sit, and I immediately make a mental note to visit before I leave.
At the end of the road ahead, there’s a large lake with a wooden pier that juts out into the water. Benches and adorable rocking chairs line the shore. With the lapping waves and the wind coming off the water, it’s so peaceful.
Between the slow-paced cheer and lack of paparazzi hounding me, I already feel some of the stress from yesterday leaving my shoulders and I haven’t even done anything yet. It feels so cozy and wholesome here.
I could get used to this, I think to myself as I spot McHottie coming out of the school, walking towards the truck.
Chapter Five
Brent
I’magrownmanfor God’s sake but one look from Principal McSweeney and I feel like a scared little kid again. With her severe gray bun, black-rimmed glasses, and a scowl visible from the next county over, she has to be a hundred years old by now.
“Don’t be such a baby,” I scold myself as I walk out of the school.
As expected, Mrs. McSweeney was pissed that Nora was late again. She pulled me into her office for a chat, and I couldn’t decline. The woman doesn’t accept no for an answer.
I bolt out the front door and breathe a sigh of relief that I made it out alive to enjoy another day.
As soon as the cold air hits my face, I catch a glimpse of Penelope in my truck and am struck again by how beautiful she is. When I first saw her car in the middle of the road, blocking traffic, I was so annoyed I couldn’t even see straight. But when I got to her window and peeked inside, I was tongue-tied.
Which doesn’t happen to me.
And to be honest, there hasn’t been another female I’ve wanted to get to know since Michelle. But the moment I saw Penelope, she was someone I wanted to know.
Even with her big sunglasses on, I could tell that she’d been crying. I felt the urge to fix it for her. Whatever it may be. The instant connection was inexplicable, and the best thing I can do is ignore it. I have enough going on with Nora, my parents, the inn, and my law practice. I sure as hell don’t need to add another complication on top of all that.
Shaking my head to dislodge the thoughts of her, I descend the concrete steps. As I make my way toward my truck, I greet the other parents who are also dropping off their kids. A few residents stroll past, waving hello. I’ll never understand how peopleenjoywalking in the cold.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson pass, walking their yappy dog who pees in everyone’s yard, and Fred, a single dad like me, runs his son down the street toward school. At least I know Nora isn’t the only student late today and Principal McSweeney will have another poor soul to chastise.
“Late again,” Fred says as he rushes past me. “How was McSweeney today?”
“Same as always, unfortunately,” I tell him. “Good luck.”
I can’t lie to the man. He’s in for it.
As I reach my truck, Penelope’s head quickly snaps to where I stand. Tears dampen her cheeks again. She plasters on a fake smile as I open the door and get into the driver’s seat.
“Sorry about that. The principal here is… a little strict.”
“That’s okay. Did I see the sign correctly, the town is called Winterberry?”
“You don’t even know where you are?”
I mean, who the hell is this woman? I pull my truck onto the road and head in the direction of Ben’s Auto Shop. We need to figure out what to do with her car.
“Nope. Never heard of it before.”
“To be fair, most people haven’t heard of this town until the holidays. When Christmas rolls around, the whole town gets a little nutty and people travel to see all the holiday madness.”
“Has the town always been this decked out for Christmas?” She says through a laugh.
“Oh yeah. This is a Winterberry tradition.” I roll my eyes.
“Do you not like Christmas?”
