If only she had had her father’s knack for judging character.
“All right, Martha,” Teddy called out to his wife. “It’s your daughter’s turn.”
While Martha would have gladly given him the tour of Penelope’s room as well, Teddy held her back. They stood, barely in the doorway, watching hand in hand, as Penelope started in one corner of the room, working their way around slowly.
Stepping back outside into the bright afternoon sunlight felt harsh and intrusive. Penelope had enjoyed sharing her littleworld with Finn, escaping from everything else. Returning to the world outside brought back the pressure of time.
“Why don’t you ladies continue on?” Teddy suggested. “Since we’re right here, I thought I might show him what a middle school looks like.”
“I don’t know if we have time.” Penelope could hear the whine in her voice and sensed it wasn’t very attractive.
“Come on, Penny,” her mom encouraged. “Your dad wants his turn to show off, too. We’ll get everything ready for lunch, so it won’t take up any extra time.”
Reluctantly, Penelope let her mother pull her along, agreeing that this made sense.
Martha swung her arms happily, lifting her face to the sun. “I can’t remember the last time I walked to school. I always seem to drive to the water to go for a walk. I forgot how nice it is to stick to our neighborhood.”
Letting go of her struggle, Penelope watched her mom, enjoying seeing this side of her. “You do love it here, don’t you, Mom?”
Martha looked surprised by the question, then seemed to think better of it, her face taking on a more serene expression. “I do,” she admitted. “But remember, I went off and saw the world before we settled here. I spent a semester in France. And when I graduated from college, I travelled around Europe for three months. I also lived in Chicago for two years. It was your dad who made me see the beauty of this place. He was also the one who made me want to settle down.”
Penelope nodded. It was information she’d always known but never really thought about.
“You really love him, don’t you?”
Penelope’s head bobbed up to find her mom had stopped walking and was watching her closely. “I’ve never seen you likethis before. The way you light up around him. You’re very kind to each other—very in tune.”
What started as a happy blush transformed before it ever fully appeared. Penelope felt her body sag and reached for the comfort of her mom like a child. “I do, Mom. And I’m so scared of losing him.”
Without missing a beat, Martha embraced her, stroking her hair gently. “I know, honey. I know. But you have to trust these things. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be.”
“Don’t give me teacher platitudes,” Penelope argued, still holding her mom. “You don’t expect governments and policies to be involved when you fall in love. That’s not how it’s supposed to happen.”
Penelope felt the sorrowful chuckle as her mother gently extricated herself so she could look at her daughter more fully. “It will work out. If you want it badly enough, it will work out.”
There were times in her life when Penelope dismissed some of her mom’s sayings as a bit hippy-dippy. But since Finn had pretty much said the same thing, and since she needed desperately to believe it, she nodded her acceptance. “I hope so.”
Chapter 20
Finally, it was time for the joyous event.
Compared to what it was supposed to be, Bonnie’s wedding was very scaled-back. However, compared to any wedding Penelope had ever been to, it was hands down the most beautiful. The weather was in full cooperation. For mid-July, the heat was moderate, with a nice breeze. Chairs for sixty people were arranged on the lawn, with an impromptu gazebo set up for the vows. There were flowers everywhere, and the weeping willow, which took up a large portion of the space behind the gazebo, also managed to frame it beautifully.
They were up at dawn for hair, make-up, and a light breakfast of coffee and croissants. Bonnie offered a mimosa, which Penelope did consider but decided against.
“Better not. The last thing I need is for that to go to my head. There will be plenty of time for drinking after.”
“True enough,” Bonnie agreed, even as she took a sip of her own.
“Just give me all the coffee,” Penelope insisted.
“I don’t exactly want you vibrating down the aisle either.” Bonnie’s brows drew together, even as she poured her another mug full. “That might affect my entrance.”
“God forbid.”
Of course, Bonnie chose that moment to become serious, reaching across the little table that had been set up in her bedroom specifically for this breakfast to hold Penelope’s hand in her own. “Did I thank you, Penny? I mean Pen….”
“It’s okay. You can call me Penny. I will always be your Penny. And, yes, you did.”
