by Claire Angel
“I was out for a run…thought I’d pop in.” I smiled and read the menu, feeling his eyes sweeping over me. “What’s good here?”
“You’re asking the owner that?” He laughed as I realized that he had a good point.
“The cinnamon coffee cake is excellent, and I’d go with the dark roast unless you don’t want to defeat the whole purpose of jogging.” I glanced at him and he set the box down on the counter. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, Penny. I think you look amazing.”
“Thank…you?” I said as I blushed a deep pink. “I think I’ll try both and can I get some water as well?” I asked as he nodded.
I told him that I was going to use the bathroom so I could get my money and he nodded as he turned to pour my coffee. I walked across the floor and entered the small bathroom, locking the door. I patted my face with cold water and fixed my hair before getting my money out, walking back to the counter.
“Here.”
He glanced at the bill and waved his hand. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Are you sure?” I asked as he nodded, sliding a cup across the counter. He went to the display case, picking a piece of the cake and setting it on a plate before smiling at me.
“I am. Have a seat wherever and I’ll come out and talk to you.”
I nodded and took the offerings, finding a couch with a large table before sitting down. I looked around at the vibrant colors on the walls and smiled, preferring this over the cookie cutter places in New York. I sipped the coffee and nodded my approval as the robust brew slid down my throat. I took the fork from the plate and cut a small bite of the cake, holding back a moan as I tasted it.
“Is it good?” Walden asked, settling his large frame on the couch that seemed bigger before now.
“Delicious,” I replied, embarrassed that he’d heard me. “How long have you owned this place?”
“About four years now. It was run down when I got it, but we gutted it and cleaned it up. I worked with the former owner. I think it looks good and the town seems to get a kick out of it.”
“You did a gorgeous job,” I murmured as I brought the coffee to my lips. “It’s almost too fancy for these parts. I was thinking how much nicer it is than the ones in New York you see at every corner.”
“I guess you would know. What was your favorite food there?” Walden asked as I let my mind wander for a moment.
Penn took me to a lot of restaurants in the beginning and even after that, I wandered around just to try everything that I could.
“I have always been a fan of the smaller places that don’t stand out. Fancy doesn’t interest me. I guess that’s because of my upbringing. I fell in love with a pizza place and one of those authentic Italian places. There were several places though. I liked the museums too.” I smiled as I spoke about parts of the city that made for pleasant memories.
“I’ve always lived here. I guess I’m just a simple man. I might be overwhelmed there.” Walden gave me a genuine smile and I returned it.
“I think you are very creative. Look at this place.” I gestured around the room and nodded with approval. “You might fit right in.”
We chatted a bit longer until he went to help the small crowd that came in, clearly a favorite of the customers. I knew that he had a reputation of the weird orphan from another town growing up, but he was taken in by a well-respected family and likely earned the respect of the older town folk along the way. I knew that he had my family’s respect.
I was busy talking about Mama as I finished my breakfast. Many people stopped by and offered their help, but I was still stunned by the concern that everyone had for her. It was nice to tell them that she was getting better with every day that passed. We were planning on dinner out the following week if she was up to it so Mama could see the support for herself.
I walked home, full of my meal. I knew that it probably defeated the whole purpose of going on a run, but the cinnamon cake was amazing. It didn’t quite rival the bakery and their cakes, but it was delicious for a snack. I decided to bring some home next time I went.
I arrived back at the house to find Bri cooking a simple breakfast of eggs and sausage. She was also making some of Mama’s homemade biscuits that Mark begged her to make every time he came home.
“It’s about time you get a hold of that recipe.”
“I know. I am going to have to make it more often.” Bri smiled at me. “Out for a jog, huh? You’re a better woman than I am.”
“We all know that you get plenty of exercise,” I teased my sister-in-law as she giggled. “I stopped by the cafe for some coffee. Have you been there?”
“I haven’t but I think I’ll go when we’re here. How is it?” Bri asked as I stepped up to the stove to turn the sausage.
“It’s beautiful inside. The coffee and food are yummy, too. Walden did a great job with it.” I flipped the patties and looked in the living room, where Lindsay was talking to Mama. They both waved at me and I grinned.
“You’re not hungry then?” Bri asked as she spooned the eggs into a bowl.
“I am good.” I piled the patties on a plate and grabbed the biscuits from the oven. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Bri told me that she’d take me to see the house today so I could help her plan the decor. She was taking this seriously and it was adorable.
I headed to the bathroom as everyone moved to the table. Mama tried to get me to eat something. I waved it off before walking down the hallway.
The hot water felt amazing on my sweaty body and I closed my eyes as it coursed down my skin.
We went to see the house and I wandered around, admiring the cute little place. It wasn’t huge, but it would be perfect for them.
I wondered if I would ever have something like this with someone. Lindsay showed me her room and it was a cute little space in the corner of the house that offered a gorgeous picture window. I knew that Bri ordered her a full-size bed and Lindsay asked if I’d stay the night with her once they moved in.
I felt a bit nauseous as we were leaving the house and sipped my cold water. It was something that I’d been feeling for a week or so now but assumed it was just a little bug. I was making sure it didn’t get worse since Mama was trying to get better, but it seemed like it was nerves.
Bri looked at me in the passenger seat and raised a brow, “Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m just feeling a little off. That’s what I get for having sweets for breakfast!” I laughed as she backed out of the driveway and headed back to the house.
They were supposed to move into the house in a couple weeks and that was when Bri scheduled the furniture deliveries. The owner was going to clean up and prepare the house for them. Since they were staying with Mama, it wasn’t a huge rush.
Mark was waiting for us when we got home and Bri grinned at him. She was thrilled with the move and sat beside him as he typed something on his computer.
“What did you think, Pen?” He asked before looking at me.
“It’s a cute house. I think it’s perfect for you,” I replied as he nodded.
Mark talked about it needing a few small things done as Bri playfully rolled her eyes. I felt another wave of nausea and excused myself to go to the bathroom. Once I realized that I was safe for the moment, I went to my room and dropped on my bed. Closing my eyes felt amazing and I curled up on my side, falling asleep easily. I loved naps after an early morning. I used to take them after school until Mama caught me, waking me up as she chided me. There was something so refreshing about them.
I woke up when I heard my phone vibrating on the table beside the bed. I blindly reached for it, reading the screen as Penn’s name flashed across it. I groaned, knowing that I needed to deal with this at some point. I decided to talk to him and swiped the screen, murmuring a hello.
Chapter 6
Walden
I headed home after a shift at the cafe, ready to shower and head to help out at
the shop for a bit. I’d been thinking about Penny most of the day after her surprise visit to the cafe. Jogging explained her gorgeous body, but she seemed vulnerable so early in the morning. She also let her walls down to a degree and I enjoyed the short chat with her.
I knew that she was still married but she seemed content to stay here. That was no kind of relationship. A real man would have his woman there and take care of her like I’d seen once I was adopted. I’d caught a few remarks she’d made when I mentioned work, giving me the impression that he wanted to do that more than spend time with his wife.
What a fool. Penny was gorgeous and kind, fun to talk to. He must be oblivious to that because if she were mine, I’d cherish her. Maybe Mark was right about him being a city boy although they couldn’t all be like that.
I worked through the evening on a car and headed home to decompress.
The woods were dark around the cabin as I unlocked the door, glancing around at the immense peace surrounding me. I tried to imagine buildings and throngs of people like Penny described to me, shuddering at the thought. Give me my privacy and I was happy. I’d adjusted to living here once I moved in with my parents having been coined as the weird orphan boy. I didn’t talk about my past and chose to ignore the looks and whispers in the beginning. I made a few friends and life evened out. I made a good name for myself now working and interacting with the people I shared the town with.
Having Mark back was going to be great as well. I liked his family and expected to be at their house a lot. Brianne was warm and funny and seemed to love the idea of entertaining. His daughter was cute and sweet and easy to talk to. I wondered if Penny would be there a lot, wondered if she was staying.
I fell asleep on the couch to the scores of the daily games. That was typical for me as a bachelor.
There were so many girls who visited my café. But I never had any feeling for them ever. But since Penny was back, she was in my head all the time. Something more sounded good but I knew I needed to give Penny time if anything happened at all. I was attracted to her more than I cared to admit but she wasn’t available right now, physically or mentally.
I thought back to my last fling a few months ago. I’d been in a nearby town, visiting a kid I went to school with prior to being adopted. His beginnings were as rough as mine. We’d hit a bar to catch up and some blonde caught me on a good night. We went back to her place and I was driving home just after one in the morning. It was empty and I realized that I wasn’t looking for casual anymore. I needed someone to warm my bed at night here and fill my heart. I wanted to spoil someone the way I’d seen my father spoil my mother.
I decided to skip the cafe in the morning and took a walk behind my house. I loved hiking and it cleared my mind. I needed to get back to basics. I was a simple man and wanted little from life, but these views and the isolation were something I’d never want to give up. I’d need a woman who wanted the same.
Was that how Penny’s husband was with her?
I arrived back to my house and showered to help out at the lumberyard. I left in the evening and stopped at the diner for dinner, not wanting to cook. I didn’t look particularly forward to being home alone tonight and glanced towards Nancy’s house as I left the diner. It was late, approaching eight and I didn’t think they would appreciate visitors.
A couple of days later, I woke up to a knock at the door, pulling on jeans and a shirt to answer it. I didn’t get a lot of visitors here and assumed it was a friend or someone in the family.
I opened the door and greeted Mark, who was leaning against the door frame. “Good Morning.”
“Morning, Walden. I got a call from my new landlord about the back fence. It’s near falling down and she offered to buy the wood if I fix it for her, given that the storms are coming soon.” It gets rough this time of year.
“That’s perfect. When do you want to do it?” I asked as he stared across the yard for a moment.
“What time does the lumberyard open?”
I grinned and invited him in for coffee. I showered while he waited, coming out to see him staring out my back windows to the thick forest. Mark was lost in thought and I paused as I pulled a flannel over my t-shirt.
“Are you okay?” I asked as he shifted and looked over at me. Mark looked angry and I sat down to slip my boots on.
“Penny talked to that asshole of a husband a few days ago. He doesn’t give a shit what she does, telling her he had a trip planned for Europe soon. It’s like he doesn’t care about her at all,” Mark said fuming with his nostrils flaring.
I sensed there was more as his jaw tightened and he flexed his hands. I didn’t doubt that he’d love to use them on her husband.
“What else?” I asked as he took a slow inhale.
“She found out she’s pregnant. She has yet to tell him, but I don’t think he’d even care. I’ll be here for her but damn it if I don’t want more for her.” Mark dropped the bomb and I froze as I stared at him.
She was pregnant. I didn’t doubt that Penny would make an excellent mother, but it was scary to do it on your own. In the end, she’d be better off without a spouse that wouldn’t support her and here with family. It had to hurt though.
“Is she handling it okay?” I asked as Mark narrowed his eyes.
“I would say for the most part. It was a shock since I don’t think their relationship was…good that way. It was a complete accident and she doesn’t know what to do. I mean, she won’t terminate it or anything and she has us, but it took her by surprise.” Mark gave me a grim smile.
We left for the lumberyard and bought the wood needed to repair the fence, heading over to the rental to fix it right after the trip. Mark was focused on the job and worked steadily but I couldn’t stop thinking about Penny. She must be scared and struggling. I longed to go and comfort her.
We were midway through the job when voices called out to us. I looked back to see Bri walking into the yard with Penny following her, both carrying bags of food.
“Hey, boys. I thought you might be hungry.”
“Hey, babe. Thanks.” Mark scrubbed his hands on his jeans and walked forward to peck her lips.
He looked at his sister, pulling her into a tight hug as he murmured something into her ear. Bri shot them a worried glance before smiling brightly at me.
“I got sandwiches and potato salad. Let’s sit on the steps,” She offered and I watched as Mark pulled away from Penny.
“Is she okay?” I asked Bri softly as she frowned at me.
“She will be. This is all so new. She’s so good with Lindsay that I know she’ll be amazing but it’s scary right now,” She said.
I wanted to take care of her and the force of that hit me in the gut. There was a chance her husband might step up to the plate once he heard the news, but it sounded like he preferred his life there.
Mark led Penny over to us and she leaned against the door as Bri handed her a sandwich. Penny thanked her.
We all unwrapped our sandwiches to begin eating. I noticed that Penny nibbled at hers, looking lost in thought as we talked around her. I kept looking at her along with Bri and Mark. She was making me wonder why she brought her here. She wasn’t doing well.
I moved to sit near Penny.
“How are you?” I asked as she gave me a wary look. “You look tired. I’m not sure you should be here.”
“I needed to get out of the house. Bri said she was coming over here. So…here I am,” She replied vaguely as I nodded.
I wasn’t going to force her to talk about this. She’d be ready on her own at some point.
The girls left and we finished the fence. Mark was distracted the rest of the time and I remained quiet. He drove me towards my house and I glanced at him.
“Is your mom up for dinner?” I asked.
“I don’t think she wants to leave the house or anything. I don’t know what the girls are doing for dinner,” He replied as I ran a hand through my hair.
“Let’s get something and take it over. I’m sure they could use the help,” I offered as he stopped at a light.
He glanced at me and shrugged. “It might be a little heavy tonight,” Mark warned and I nodded.
“I guess I just want to help as much as I can. Penny didn’t eat much at lunch.”
Mark considered this and turned left when the light changed, headed to the diner.
“She’d be better off with a man like you,” Mark told me after he parked in front of the restaurant. “She’d be better off but she chose him. I don’t know how this will change that.”
“I just want to help,” I assured him as Mark opened the door.
We went in and ordered for everybody, grabbing the bags and heading to the truck.
Mark called Bri to tell her our plan and she warned us that Penny was feeling down. I asked what her favorite dessert from the diner was and walked back in to buy a strawberry shake at Bri’s answer. We drove to the house and unloaded the bags as Bri helped, telling us that Penny was in her room.
Mark took the shake to her and I sat at the table with everyone else, eating as we talked about the rental and the work needed on it.
He returned and joined us, saying that Penny wasn’t hungry as he reached for a fry. I didn’t see her at all that night but knew that she’d come to the cafe if she wanted to talk.
Mark took me home, thanking me for my efforts. I told him that I was here for his family, whatever they needed.
I played back Penny’s face that night as I tossed and turned. She was already going through so much and she had to deal with this. A baby could never be a curse, but it could be the cause for a temporary panic.
I rose early after a restless night and dressed for the cafe. I had a feeling that she would be there at some point and I needed to be available. Penny also had my phone number from about a week ago, but she never used it. Penny didn’t seem to be enthralled with her phone like some girls, merely using it for a game here and there.