Penelope smiled back, feeling Bonnie’s happiness for her. “I would be happy to call andaskhim. As that would be the appropriate thing to do.”
“That’s what I meant,” Bonnie said with a wink.
“Mmm-hmm.”
As much as she wanted to remember every detail of her time with Finn from then on, the flight home was a blur. There were lines, lines, and more lines, as she stood somberly, hand linked with his.
A peaceful contentment had settled between Felix and Bonnie. Their loose limbs gave testimony to the return of trust between them. Penelope felt the warmth of happiness for them. Bonnie was finally getting her happy ending. Or, moreaccurately, her beginning. It was Penelope who was approaching an ending—one she wasn’t sure she had the strength to face.
Still, there was an undeniable swell in her chest as they flew over Lake Michigan, heading towards Chicago. “That’s my lake,” she said with pride, pointing it out.
Finn leaned over her to look out the window. “I’d like to see it. You’ll have to show me. I was originally hoping to see it when I came on holiday, or as you say, vacation, for Bonnie’s wedding. I’d about given up on it.”
“Really?” she asked, surprised. A new sense of hope swelled in her chest. It hadn’t even occurred to her that they would still have days to spare—days when the dresses were being altered and Bonnie was still pulling things together, when she might be able to take Finn home to meet her parents, to show him her home.
“Of course. I was hoping you would. I mean,” he paused, and there it was, that new uncertainty that had wedged its way between them, “if that’s okay with you.”
“I would love that.” She hoped her words conveyed how much she meant it. Sitting on a plane, surrounded by people, made it hard to elaborate.
Almost as soon as her feet touched the ground in Detroit, Bonnie was in go mode. Her simplest of simple wedding plans were slowly beginning to expand as she navigated what she could get away with in the limited time of one week. Felix, too delighted to have her back and aware of her curtailments, complied with everything without argument.
Bonnie’s dad was waiting for them at the front door when they spilled out of the cab. Penelope had always found him to be intimidating. He was tall and broad-chested, with graying hair and a matching neatly trimmed beard. He was in good shape for a man approaching sixty. She only ever recalled seeing himin a suit, always on his way somewhere. His most common expression was a serious one, brow furrowed in concentration.
That was not the man who greeted them. This man wore shorts, a T-shirt, and a smile wider than his daughter’s. The joy in his eyes was apparent all the way from the car. He threw his arms open, waiting to envelop his daughter long before she reached him. Penelope felt a rush of warmth as Bonnie dropped her luggage, running the last few steps to snuggle up against him.
“Daddy!”
Hanging back, Penelope watched Felix’s approach, his steps slowing warily, unsure of what kind of greeting he would get. Unable to block her dad’s phone from Felix, Bonnie had told him things that leaned heavily toward not being true.
“Felix.” Derek extended his hand, his voice booming warmly. “So glad everything’s been straightened out.” He pulled his son-in-law-to-be into a manly one-armed hug.
“Me too.” Felix exhaled visibly.
Next was Finn, who bounded up the stairs happily. “Uncle Derek.”
The warmth in Penelope’s chest doubled as she watched uncle and nephew hug tightly. It seemed there was a side to Bonnie’s dad she didn’t know at all.
“Come in; come in,” Derek ushered, standing back so they could make their way into the house. “All the rooms are set up. Bonnie can show ye the way.”
Penelope hurried to catch up with the group, meaning to slide in right behind them, only to be surprised when Derek turned suddenly, blocking her entrance.
“Oh.” She pulled herself back just in time to avoid bumping into him, losing her grip on both pieces of luggage as she did. “Sorry.” Flustered, she apologized as she bent to retrieve her things.
“Leave it.” The commanding voice she’d learned to expect from Bonnie’s father was back.
A trickle of fear ran through her as she hesitantly straightened to face him. Did he blame her for what had happened? Was he angry she hadn’t fixed things sooner, taking advantage of his generosity in flying her to Ireland?
Finally, she met his gaze to find an unexpected amount of tenderness showering down on her.
“Thank you,” his voice softened in sincerity. “It seems I owe a lot to you. My daughter’s happiness most importantly, but also the large sum of money I’ll be saving.” He winked playfully. “I knew she would be in good hands with you and Finn. Thank you, Penny. You don’t know how much you’ve done for us.”
With that, he bent down to pick up her luggage, leading her into the house.
The following two days were a whirlwind, with dress fittings and decisions to be made. But after that, there really wasn’t anything Penelope or Finn were needed for. Bonnie reluctantly gave them two nights to head to the West end of Michigan and Penelope’s Lake. Wanting to make sure they had some time entirely to themselves, Penelope booked them into an inn near downtown. As much as she tried to deny it to herself, things were still off. Something wasn’t right. There was a tentative feeling between them instead of the sureness they’d captured in Gougane Barra. She could only think it was because their time together was coming to an end, and he was starting to let go, checking out. But until he vocalized that, she was determined to hold on. Unfortunately, Bonnie had spoken to Martha and told her when they would be arriving. They were expected.
Finn insisted on renting a car. He wanted to try driving in the United States. As much as Penelope trusted him as a driver, she feared the whole other side of the road thing might throwhim off. Until they were on a long stretch of highway, she stayed alert, her body tense in case of potential disaster.
Finn caught when she finally settled back in her seat, kicking her shoes off and folding her short legs up onto the seat. “Feel safe enough to relax now?” he teased.
