Page 43 of Offsides Attraction

“You know books,” she said, sounding pleased.

“I do. And you’re a world traveler and part owner in Get Lost.”

“I am.” He twirled a piece of her hair around his finger as the silence of their discoveries and the freedom of their confessions settled on them. It felt good. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Misconception.”

“And you, Ms. Misperception,” he said, chuckling. “Tell me how you came to be a partner.” To his surprise, she told him everything Cal had. Penny wasn’t hiding anything from him, other than the witch stuff. Which he would not ask her about. Not until he’d done a lot of research. Or unless she brought it up.

“So right now I own twenty percent, and if we beat our income goal by five percent, I’ll get an additional three percent on top of my standard two percent.” Bash loosened his jaw. For the work Penny did and her creative ideas, she should own more of the company than a measly twenty percent. “But it probably won’t happen this year. Gloria Sebastian’s book signing will be a tremendous help, but it will take a miracle to get to five percent above.”

“Hey, don’t give up,”—he dropped a kiss on her head—“the game’s not over yet.”

“Unless someone’s got a retail Hail Mary shot, it probably is.”

“Who knows? It’s a magical season where wishes come true, right?” She didn’t flinch at the word magic.

“You spent too much time in the kids’ book section today.”

“Maybe, but I also know quitters give up and you’re not a quitter. You know what else I know?”

“What?” she asked, looking up at him.

“I’m hungry and there’s very few problems that pizza can’t solve. Okay?”

“Pizza sounds perfect. But first, can you carry me into the shower? When I’m done, I can wrap a towel around myself, and you can lift me out. Please?” she added when he didn’t respond.

He exhaled slowly through his nose, hoping for control. “Sure, and I’ll grab you clean clothes, too.” And the biggest towel I can find, Bash thought before saying a quick prayer that Penny only owned cotton granny-panties and sensible bras, assuming she’d want a bra. He scrubbed his hand down his face. Odds were not in his favor. Penny Buchanan surprised him at every turn, and he was a sucker for surprises.

Chapter 19

“Fire’s looking good. It should take the chill off,” Grandad said, coming into the room and blowing on his hands. Snow had steadily fallen all day. Pretty to look at, but not to stand still in for very long, especially since a brittle wind chased around the ranch. A cloudless night added to the chill.

“Thanks, Grandad. We can always count on you.” Penny kissed his weathered cheek.

“Man problems?” he asked with a hopeful twinkle in his eye. Three had tried to set his granddaughters up with every single man in the farming and ranching community between the ages of twenty-five and forty. He’d even suggested a few women, but the sisters had assured him that wasn’t necessary.

“Shoo, Three”—Nanna gave him a gentle shove—“she won’t talk if you’re here.” Grandad sighed and muttered under his breath about bossy women as he walked down the hallway to their small office.

“Spill,” Harper said.

“I’m annoyed and Bash is mad at me and annoyed that I’m annoyed.”

“Yeah, that’s clear as mud.”

“Start at the beginning.” Nanna said, handing her a cup of homemade hot chocolate and adding a generous glug of Irish cream liqueur.

“A volunteer at the rescue center called and asked if I’d like to get drinks with her and a few others. Casual, low-key, pretty chill, right? Do you know what the first thought was that went through my mind?”

“What to wear?” Maggie asked.

“No. I’d better check with Bash.” Penny scowled.

“Nothing wrong with that.” Nanna said.

“Everything is wrong with that. That’s something a girlfriend would do.”

“But aren’t you?” Nanna looked confused.

“We haven’t labeled it, even though we agreed to be exclusive.”

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