Chapter Eight
“So, how’d your evening go?” Abbey asked the next morning as they prepared to open the shop. “And please don’t tell me you were in your bunny slippers by 8:30!”
Penny smiled into her mug of coffee. So far, Abbey hadn’t noticed the huge bags under her eyes, or that her lips were puffy from being thoroughly kissed for hours. If Abbey sensed she’d enjoyed herself, she wouldn’t let the conversation drop until she’d wrung out every little detail. And the way the evening had unfolded had been special, a memory Penny hoped to keep to herself for a while. “No bunny slippers by 8:30. Even though your little lie didn’t fool either of us, I really didn’t mind spending time with my old friend.”
Abbey raised an eyebrow at her sister.
Penny rolled her eyes. “Don’t act so surprised. We had a most enjoyable evening.”
“So my diabolical scheme worked. When are you seeing him again? Do spill all.” Abbey grinned.
Acting as nonchalant as she could manage, Penny shrugged. “He’s buying his old house. The one down the street from Mom and Dad. So I’m sure I’ll see him often.”
Abbey’s mouth dropped open. “Really? So, did you make another date?”
Not only did they make a date, but they also kissed. Penny wished those kisses would go on and on. For a few fleeting minutes, or hours, actually, she thought maybe she’d been dropped into a segment of The Bachelor, and instead of talking, they kissed. Frequently. And when his hands caressed her arms and his fingers intertwined with hers, her body hummed. She hoped to continue the same scenario with Del again tonight. But Abbey didn’t need all the details. “He asked for my advice on how he should arrange the furniture in his house when the mover arrives, so I’m sure we’ll get together soon.”
Abbey didn’t need to know she and Del were touring his new purchase this evening, since he had an appointment to sign on the dotted line today, and be given the keys to his old house. And she didn’t need to know Penny’d made a date with Del to go caroling at the gazebo this weekend. Their relationship was too new, too fragile, to let anyone else in right now. She’d wait until she had something of interest to report. Like when she gave up her apartment over the shop and became her parents’ neighbor after they married. She’d need to clue in her mom and dad before then, too.
She shook her head. Way to go from zero to ninety in a hot second, Penny. Maybe she should get a second date out of the way first, before she had them running off and getting married. She hummed Christmas carols as she worked through the busy day, helping customers find the perfect gift for their loved ones.
Penny still hummed as she and Abbey closed the register for the evening, printed out their report, and prepared the bank deposit statement. But this time her humming had nothing to do with Christmas carols. Her entire body revved in anticipation of seeing Del again. She wrapped up things at work, ran upstairs to get Dixie, and then dashed over to Del’s new house to take the tour. He told her to bring Dixie, so he could test the fenced-in yard for ‘dog-friendliness’ before he got one of his own. If she could accomplish her mission without her parents catching on too fast to the fact her car appeared frequently in his driveway, she could maintain her subterfuge. For a little while, anyway. She took a series of turns from the shop, ending up on Birch Avenue, and left the town center for the residential area, driving by her childhood home where her parents still lived. Way too soon, she parked in Del’s driveway.
For a moment after coming to a stop, Penny sat in her car. Despite leaving her coat unbuttoned, she was warm and her palms were sweaty. So, she brushed them on her blouse. She hadn’t changed from her work clothes, and she just discovered they were coated with glitter, which had exploded from a group of cards that had come in. So, now her sweaty palms were covered in glitter. Great way to make a first impression. Maybe she could turn the attention to Dixie instead and give herself some time to regain her equilibrium. She had outfitted the dog in her finest Christmas sweater.
With Dixie on her leash and on her best behavior, Penny knocked on the door.
Del answered almost immediately.
When the door swung open, Penny’s heart rate sped. No balancing of equilibrium would happen tonight, dog or no dog.
“Come on in, Penny.” He knelt and rubbed Dixie’s head. “And Miss Dixie, you’re welcome, too. Love your sweater. Let me show you the back yard.” He stood, led them to the back door where Dixie ran out to explore the fenced in yard and then wrapped an arm around Penny’s shoulders, leading her inside his totally empty house. He helped her off with her coat and hooked it over his fingers. “I don’t even have a hanger in the house yet.”
She smiled and retrieved the coat. “I’ll just lay it over the banister here. Can’t wait to see this place. I’ve never been inside this quaint old house, although the Victorian touches always intrigued me. I love the clapboard exterior, and all the fancy trim dripping from the eaves. The wraparound porch alone is worth the price you paid for the home. And the stained glass windows have always dressed up the house.”
Del touched her cheek. “You’ve got some glitter on your face. Did you do that just for me?”
Penny laughed as she let Dixie back into the house. “Glitter is one of the hazards of having a card shop.”
“I appreciate what you’re saying about the house. You have such a great eye for detail. The previous owners have stayed on top of the maintenance fairly well, but I want to paint all the walls and put my own stamp on the place. I see plenty of trips to Sawyer’s hardware in my future.”
Del’s words brought her attention back to his home. Penny smiled and rotated in a circle, taking in the living room. “You don’t say. You, of all people, wanting to put a paintbrush in your hands.”
He waved his hands through the air. “I’m having a little trouble figuring out where my furniture should be placed, though. That’s where I’m hoping you can help.”
“I’m guessing your furniture is all sleek, metal and hard lines. Am I right?” Penny drummed her fingers against her cheek.
Del bent down and kissed her briefly.
She leaned in and returned the kiss, hoping for more, but he backed off. Penny shivered, not because the heat hadn’t yet been fully activated yet in the house, but because Del had stepped away from her side.
He paced off the room. “I’ve got a few big pieces that I’d like to put in here. And in answer to your question, I’m not that easy to pigeonhole. You might be surprised at my choices. I lean more toward antiques. Love the patina that develops over time with the wood. Don’t get me wrong. I also am drawn to modern furniture, but in moderation. I use them as accent pieces.”
Penny moved alongside and wrapped her arms around him. As she hoped, he embraced her as well, and they stood, foreheads touching, as she gazed deep into his blue eyes. “You continue to surprise me, Del. The way you describe your style makes you sound almost as if you’re an interior designer. Please don’t tell me you are also in favor of cabbage rose wallpaper.”
Del laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far. Let me show you the rest of the house. My furniture’s coming tomorrow, so I won’t be spending my first night here until then. I’ll check out of Frenchman’s in the morning.” He held her hand as they climbed the stairs, accompanied by Dixie.
They took a quick tour of the upstairs and ended up back in the living room. Penny smiled as Dixie’s claws clattered across the hardwood floors. She wanted that sound on these floors for a long time. And the patter of little feet. Shaking herself to clear her mind, she replaced her wayward thoughts with more appropriate visions of furniture placements for each room and shared some of her ideas. She wanted to be a more integral part of his life in this house, though, and not just a sounding board for where to put the recliner. “Maybe I could come over tomorrow evening and help you get settled in.”
Del’s eyes lit up. “I’d love for you to help me, but I don’t want to interfere with your job. This is your busy season.”
Penny nodded. “Yes, the whole last quarter is when we start making a profit. But having something else to focus on at night gives me an energy boost during the day. Years ago, I almost opted to major in interior design, so let me spread my wings.”
“Won’t your mother have something to say if your car shows up in my driveway each night?” Del grinned and pointed in the direction of her parents’ house.
She brushed her fingers through his thick, and now a bit longer, blond hair. “As long as she doesn’t see my car in your driveway in the morning, she’ll be all right with me spending time here. She’s wanted me to meet someone new. And she always had a fondness for you, even though I told her you were responsible for my dirty shoes.”
His grin widened. “Okay, but we need to have fun, too. Why don’t we drop off Dixie at your apartment and then go to Bar Harbor and take in a movie? Or go bowling.”
Penny laughed. “Those are opposite ends of the spectrum, aren’t they?”
“I’m giving you two options depending on how tired you are.” He shrugged. “I can go either way.”
She took his hand. “Bowling, then. I’m really good at mowing down pins. Let’s drop off Dixie, then we can head out.”
“Good.” He pulled her close and brushed her lips. “It’s my ambition to bowl you over anyway.”
She bent over to fasten Dixie’s leash, hoping Del hadn’t seen her emotions on her face. He didn’t need a bowling alley to impress her. He’d done so the first time she’d connected the dots.