AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I suck in a breath, trying to hide the disappointment that is surely written on my face. Penelope glances up, locking eyes with me, before she makes her way to the phone.
Chapter Twenty
Penelope
IcanfeelBrent’seyes on me as I get up from the table. I head to where Suzanne stands with the phone, near the inn’s entrance. My emotions are at war with themselves in my chest.
“Fingers crossed,” she whispers.
She reaches out to pat my shoulder before returning to the table to give me privacy.
So much goes through my mind. It’ll be great if my car is ready. I can go home and get back to work, resuming my life as Penelope Maxwell.
So why am I feeling shattered? It’s just a town, and I always knew I’d leave at some point.
Breathing deep, I put the phone to my ear.
“Hey Ben, do you have news about my car?”
“Penelope, hey. I’m sorry to bother you during dinner, but I wanted to call as soon as I got the news. I found a shop not too far from here that has the parts I need to fix your four-wheeled baby.” He laughs to himself.
“That is great news, Ben!” I say, trying to muster up enthusiasm. “When do you think it’ll be ready?”
“As soon as the parts come in, I’ll get started. Probably be ready for you to head back to the city by the weekend.”
“Amazing! Thank you for calling me, Ben, you’re the best. You’ve been a lifesaver with my car.” A part of me means it and is relieved at the idea of being home in a few days. On the other hand, I’ll miss everything, and everyone, in Winterberry.
I can hear his smile through the phone, and it makes my entire day.
“Aww thank you, Ms. Penelope, I’m doing what I can. I’m sure you want to be home for Christmas.”
Christmas.
The thought of being in my empty apartment without a tree or anyone to eat dinner with makes my stomach hurt.
“Absolutely.” My voice shakes. “Have a great night.”
I hang up. Quietly walking toward the dining room, I pause and listen to the chatter around the table. Nora’s little voice cuts through the air and my heart swells. Smoothing down my clothes and running my hands over my hair, I stall for a minute.
The thought of leaving sucks the air from my lungs.
Heading back to the table, I realize I could get used to this and that scares the shit out of me.
“What did he say?” Suzanne says as soon as I come around the corner.
I glance in Brent’s direction but let my eyes find Suzanne before he can look back. “He found a local shop that has the parts he needs to fix the car. He said I should be good to go back to the city, Manhattan, by the weekend.”
“That’s great news honey!”
“It is. I’ll be back home by Christmas.” I force a smile before sitting down to finish dinner.
“Nooooooo! You’ll miss the Christmas Eve Ball,” Nora says. Her fierce frown strangles my heart. “You can’t miss the ball. It’s the fanciest.”
“Nora, Penelope has a home and being home for Christmas is what makes people happy.” Brent says. “And we want Penelope to be happy right?”
“But she’s happy here.” Nora pouts.
“I am happy here, Nora. But Brent is right, my home is in Manhattan. I want to enjoy the time here in Winterberry though. Want to go to the Christmas Log Parade together?”
