Page 17 of Someone You Deserve

“I’m a growing boy, what can I say?”

She elbows me in the ribs. “You definitely ate more than any of your other siblings. That must be why you turned out to be so tall.”

“Still don’t know how that happened, huh?”

“All the work on our family tree, and now one else was as tall as you.” My mother is a retired teacher, so now in her spare time she’s been working in her garden, volunteering around town to keep herself busy, and spent some time this past summer digging into our family’s lineage.

I wish I had time to do that kind of shit some days, but then I also know that keeping busy is what fuels me. I’ve never known anything else.

When she steps back, she brushes her hair from her face. “What else do you have planned today?”

I move back to the leaves, putting my gloves on once more. “Getting the oil changed on my truck at Grady’s, then I’m headed to the bakery to start renovating for Astrid.”

“I’m so proud of that girl. She was beaming the other night at her going away party.”

My mother and Astrid’s have been close friends since we were kids, so my mom is fully aware of what Astrid’s gone through the past four years.

“She was.” I feel the corner of my mouth lift as I echo her sentiment.

“Well, she deserves it. Going after something you really want is a gamble, but the payoff can be life-changing.” She pauses, giving me a pointed look. “Are you ever gonna take that gamble yourself, Penn?”

I meet her gaze, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. And even though I hadn’t planned to tell anyone about my recent leap of faith, I know I can trust my mother to keep it to herself. “Actually, I just bought a house, Mom.”

“What?” She places her hand over her heart. “You’re selling your place?”

Shaking my head, I explain, “Nope. I’m gonna fix it up and start a rental business, turn houses into vacation homes.”

“I’m not sure I believe what I’m hearing. What sparked that idea?”

I brush the sweat from my temples with my forearm. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I enjoy what I do now, but I want more. I want to be my own boss, finally create my own contracting business and the rental houses will create passive income once they’re ready.” I stare off to the side of the yard now. “I’m taking a risk, but…”

Stepping closer, she cups my face in her hands. “There is no reward without risks, honey. And you deserve your reward, Penn. You help others achieve their dreams all the time. It’s finally time for you to chase your own.”

“I get the keys this afternoon, but I won’t be able to do much until I finish up some other jobs.”

She drops her hand and wraps her sweater around her body tighter, warding off the chill in the air. “Just promise me that you’ll make time for your own projects, Penn. This is a big step. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

She flashes me a sad smile. “I’m so proud of all of my kids, but you’re the one I always worried about the most.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re always so up in your head.” She stares at me with a pinch in her brow. “You’re the quiet, observant one. My cautious child that always stood back and watched because you wanted to know what to expect. I guess a part of me is relieved to see you finally taking risks.”

Jesus. Is this how everyone sees me? Penn, the safe, cautious one?

“I just wanted to make sure Dallas wasn’t going to break a bone doing something before I tried it, you know?” I joke, trying to bring some levity to the conversation.

My mother rolls her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

Blowing out a breath, I pull her into my chest again. “I know, Mom. This is a lot of responsibility, though.”

“You have nothing to be nervous about Penn. You’re one of the hardest working people I know. I swear, I don’t know where you got that work ethic from, but it’s ingrained in you. At the end of the day, the determination to never quit is what determines success, not intelligence or money. I used to tell my students that all the time.”

Grief slams into me because I know exactly where I got my work ethic from.

“Dad made me this way,” I say softly as her eyes lift to find mine. “Dad taught me the importance of helping others, Mom.”

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