Bonnie held up the duvet enticingly.
“Fine,” she grumbled.
Lacking anything else, Bonnie got her a glass of water.
“Thanks,” she said drily.
“So, I was thinking of what we should do today. Maybe the beach. Kinsale isn’t too far either, and it’s a beautiful town. But first, I thought we might head up to the old, haunted church. I haven’t seen it in years.”
Penny spluttered, choking on her water as last night’s events flooded back to her.
“You okay?” Bonnie asked, taking a seat next to her and patting her back.
“Mmhmm,” Penny nodded, refusing to look at her friend.
Suddenly, Bonnie froze. Penny could feel her friend’s eyes boring into her. “What time did you and Finn go to bed last night?”
Penny lifted one shoulder in an unconvincing shrug.
“Penelope,” she asked slowly, “Did you and Finn already go up to the church?”
Too tired to think of anything else to say, Penny finally spoke, “Yes.”
Leaning in even further, Bonnie examined her. “Did he kiss you?”
“Maybe,” came out in a mumbled squeak.
Her friend’s eyelids lowered.
“Okay, yes. But you don’t understand, Bonnie. You weren’t there. He was wonderful, charming, and sweet. I’ve never had anything feel like that and….”
“I told you, Penny. He’s damaged goods. He broke up with his girlfriend, and it devastated him. You don’t need that….”
“But….”
The click of the door handle cut them both off. An intense exchange of looks followed, and then Finn was in the door carrying the shopping.
Both girls plastered smiles on their faces as they turned to greet him.
The rest of the weekend was lovely. Although Penny couldn’t help feeling it was not as lovely as it might have been. After a big breakfast, they drove to Kinsale and wandered around the amazingly charming town. It was beautiful with quaint shops, cafés, and brightly painted houses. It definitely felt more like a tourist location than Crosshaven.
Later, they headed to the beach to relax in the bit of Irish sun they were lucky to get. Not once did Bonnie let Finn and Penny have a moment to themselves again. She sat up front with Finn in the car and between them at the beach. And she refused to go to bed until Penny finally gave in and disappeared first herself.
At one point, Penny headed out for a walk on the beach on her own, hoping Finn might get away and join her. The tide was out, allowing her to comb the sand barefoot as she searched for shells. It wasn’t exactly hot, but it wasn’t cold either. It reminded her of days spent on Lake Michigan. Adjusting to the smell of the salt water instead of fresh, she decided she quite liked it. Finn never did join her, though.
When she returned, they seemed to be having a tense conversation that was cut off as soon as she was within hearing distance. Bonnie smiled brightly while Finn looked away moodily.
Sunday proved to be more of the same. Once or twice, Finn tried to pull her aside, but Bonnie was always a step ahead. Even when he dropped them off, offering to carry Penny’s things up to her room for her, Bonnie stopped him dead in his tracks.
“We’re all good, Finn. Penny is fully capable. We’ll come see you play soon. Okay. Thanks for everything. Truly appreciate it. Safe home.”
And she ushered him out the door.
Chapter 10
Checking her phone Monday morning, Penelope was relieved by how early it was. The house was still dark and quiet, prompting her to move stealthily. Throwing a sweatshirt on over her pajamas, she tiptoed downstairs, cringing at every unavoidable creak. She waited impatiently, willing the coffee to brew faster. Only when she had once again clicked her door firmly shut behind her did she finally relax. Folding herself into the bay window, she pulled out a book, rearranged some pillows, and wrapped herself in a blanket, looking for comfort.
Books had always been one of Penelope’s passions. From childhood, they’d been her escape. A safe place to explore the unknown when she was the awkward kid no one wanted to play with. She’d packed three she’d been looking forward to reading over the summer. Unfortunately, they were failing her. When she truly wanted escape more than anything, they were proving useless. The words were refusing to hold her, to carry her away. Her own thoughts kept pressing in, intruding on her.
