AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay, only a few more minutes sweetheart. Do you need to change your clothes before we go?” I sit next to her on the bed.
“No thank you. Will Penelope be there?” she asks without looking away from the TV.
“That’s what she said this morning. Can I finish the movie with you?”
“Duh, Dad, get comfy.” She rests her head on my chest.
We stay like this until the end of the movie, singing the “Frosty the Snowman” song together when the credits roll.
From the bedroom, I hear a knock on the front door. I have no idea who it could be.
“I’ll get that,” I tell Nora. “Be right back.”
As soon as I get to the door, I quickly yank it open to reveal Penelope standing on my porch.
“Penelope…”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Penelope
AssoonasIenter the inn, the warm air hits my face and I smell the evergreen tree and live garland. The sounds of“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” play in the background and soft Christmas lights fill every room.
I close my eyes, taking it all in. It’s so beautiful.
I make my way into the kitchen and find Suzanne in her usual spot, rolling out dough on the counter with a rolling pin.
“Suzanne, it smells amazing in here,” I say as I approach. “What are you making tonight?”
“Hi sweetheart, I’m making a loaf of bread so we can have garlic bread with dinner tonight. Then, I’m going to take a portion of the dough to make homemade cinnamon buns for breakfast. I’m making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, one of Nora’s favorite meals.”
“That sounds delicious. Have you seen Brent?” I saw his truck in the driveway so I’m hoping he’s home.
“I haven’t yet. I told them to come over at 6:00 for dinner so it will be a while. How was Sally?”
For a second, I think about telling her the truth, but the words won’t come out of my mouth. She’s been so amazing to me since the moment I stepped foot inside her inn. I feel terrible for lying to her.
And I feel like I need to tell Brent before I talk to anyone else. He deserves an explanation, and I don’t want to wait any longer.
“She’s good,” I say quickly. I’m trying not to be rude but I want to find Brent. “Hey, I’m going to get some air, the cold felt so nice earlier.”
I make my way out the back door before she has the chance to respond. With my heart racing and my palms sweating even in the cold, I practically sprint across the yard to Brent’s front porch and knock on the door.
“Please be home. Please be home,” I say under my breath, looking around to make sure there’s no paparazzi. The last thing I need is Brent’s house being plastered across a tabloid or on Instagram.
After a few seconds, he opens the door. His eyebrows are pinched together, and his scowl is back.
“Penelope, did you come to hang out with us before dinner?” Nora yells as she comes running from the other room and jumps into my arms.
Over the top of her head, I see Brent lean against the door frame. The heat of his gaze reaches deep into my soul, and I get the sinking feeling that it’s too late.
He knows.
We lock eyes and my heart threatens to burst. I have to set Nora down, out of fear of collapsing.
“Nora, can I talk to Penelope for a minute? Why don’t you go get ready for dinner,” he says without peeling his eyes away from me.
“Okay, Dad,” she says. She runs off, her curls bouncing as she goes.
