Page 9 of The Damaged Hearts Bargain

A baby. It had to be a baby. Pen and Ash were going to adopt, that’s the only thing it could be. They needed to be married for it to happen, and they were keeping things secret just in case it didn’t work out, or they jinxed things or something.

She took a breath. She was happy for them, of course she was. Happy and horrifically jealous.

Not that she wanted a screaming baby. Not yet at least. But she’d at least like the opportunity to not want one with someone.

“Now what’s got into you?” Pen said, eyeing Lucy carefully.

“Nothing,” said Lucy quickly. “Not a thing. I was just…” She trailed off because she didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t come out wrong.

“Don’t lie to me,” said Pen. “I know you all too well. You were odd last night at George’s as well.” She leaned forward and put a warm hand on Lucy’s arm. “Come on, tell your old Aunt Pen what’s got your knickers all in a twist?”

Lucy sighed. “It’s just… everyone I know is all paired off. It’s not that I’m not happy for you all, I truly am. But with Billy and George and you and Ash, I just…”

“You’re starting to feel like a third wheel.”

Lucy pulled a face. “George says I’m the fifth wheel.”

“George should think before he speaks,” said Pen, with a sniff. “Have you tried getting out a bit more?”

“To where?” asked Lucy. “I’m not going to meet many eligible bachelorettes at crochet circle, am I?”

“I suppose not,” said Pen, scratching her nose. “Tetherington is a small town.”

“Tell me about it. I don’t think there’s an interested party intown that I haven’t already been on at least one date with.” She frowned at Pen. “And there definitely isn’t anyone that you haven’t already dated.”

Pen laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with having a friend do a trial run for you, help work the kinks out.” She patted Lucy’s arm again. “But I get your point. I was you just a few short years ago.”

“So what changed?”

Pen shrugged. “Ash moved next door.”

“Great, so I’ll just have to wait for new neighbors to move in, will I? Given that Billy’s cottage is about as isolated as it could get and still be in town, I’m thinking that I’m going to be single for a good while yet.”

“Being a pessimist never got anyone anywhere,” Pen said stoutly.

“You’re only saying that because you’re a pathological optimist.”

“And it all worked out for me,” Pen retorted. “So put on a smile at least. You’re not going to attract anyone with a frown.”

Lucy bared her teeth in what could passably be called a smile and Pen laughed at her just as a small child ran into the shop. The small child was followed by two more, then by a harried looking mother carrying a baby on her hip.

“The usual, Moira?” Pen asked, standing up and wiping her hands on her apron.

“Please, Pen,” said Moira. “Lea, don’t do that, and Harley, I swear, if you touch that glass I’ll cut your fingers off.”

“Oh, leave him be,” said Pen laughing. “Glass can be cleaned, can’t it, Harley?” The boy gave her a grin. “And why aren’t we all in school this morning?”

“Teacher training day,” said Moira, leaning on the counter with one hip. “So it’s just me and the kids. With the weather like this, they’re going crazy inside. I’m never going to get anything done with all of them home.”

“That seems like a sign to take them all down to the beach,” Pen said, wrapping up a second loaf of bread and putting it nextto the first before sliding them both over to Moira.

Moira paid, corralled her children into a group, and left the shop, bidding goodbye to both Lucy and Pen.

“See, you could be like Moira,” said Pen, sitting down again.

Lucy pulled a face. “Five kids and a husband that works too much doesn’t sound like fun to me.”

“That’s part of your problem,” said Pen. “You’re only looking at two select couples, both of which are in relatively new relationships and don’t have children. You’re also only seeing what those couples want you to see, not what goes on behind closed doors.”

---