Page 20 of If Our Hearts Collide

Claire shakes her head. “No. We’ve had this discussion already. It would just stifle my creativity.”

“That’s the point, Claire.” He lets out a harsh laugh. “Driving isn’t meant to be wild and carefree.”

I resist reacting as I see Nic’s face turn visibly stressed. He sure has his work cut out for him as he navigates this new territory of keeping his pregnant fiancée happy while also keeping her safe.

Maybe watching Penny won’t be bad at all. I very well could have dodged a bullet—shaped like Claire Nettles.

I’ve been broken in and initiated by watching the Hoffman men’s women in the past.

Can Penny really be worse?

Nah.

“What else do you have as a goal?” Graham asks his sister, keeping us on topic.

She finishes chewing and then crosses her feet at her ankles. “Moving out, getting a job, making a friend, and learning to shoot a g?—”

“No,” Nic says flatly.

Claire pats his arm, in the place she once smacked him. “Baby, you can’t keep your sister in a box forever.”

“I can try.” His words come out as a growl. He is on edge. I wish there was a way to defuse the situation and help him relax.

“You know you can’t control the women in your life,” Angie interjects.

“Yeah, you basically have the authority of a crossing guard,” Claire teases her man, earning her a hard look, which translates as playful rather than angry.

“Why do you want to shoot a gun, Penny?” Graham asks.

I’d like to know as well. And I’ll find out. I always find out. And if it has anything to do with the fucker who violated her, I will handle the situation myself before she ever confronts him again. The last thing this family needs is to be hiring a fancy lawyer to get Penny released of charges when she tries to show up at a prison with a gun.

Penny looks thoughtfully at the ripples in the pool from the gentle breeze blowing through. “I just want to learn a skill. Do something invigorating. Partake in something I wouldn’t otherwise want.”

Graham and Nic both glance at me. I know what they are thinking. If they want me to be discreet, then they have to allow Penny to have some sort of freedom. I don’t like the idea of her shooting any kind of weapon. However, I understand her desire. She wants to feel in control again. Who could blame her?

I store all of this information inside my head. I might need to keep tabs on her credit card spending and make sure she doesn’t step near a shooting range without my knowledge or try to purchase a gun on her own.

I’m also hoping that I can convince her somehow to reconsider. Maybe if I offer to teach her some self-defense moves, it will keep her content.

“I think your goals sound wonderful,” Angie says, reaching over to pat her on her hand. “As for the job, I’ll be in contact with you. Maybe you can come by Plus None.”

“I’m not sure…”

“Don’t eliminate us as a possibility,” Claire chimes in. “We would be honored for you to join our team.”

Penny bites her bottom lip, and my eyes are instantly drawn to the simple act. “Fair enough.”

Germain whistles from across the pool, causing us all to look at him and Donna, as they make their way toward us. Lit candles flicker in the sunshine as Donna carries a three-tiered, strawberry-topped frosted cake. It is big enough to feed an army.

We all sing happy birthday.

“Make a wish,” Donna urges, setting the beautiful cake down onto the coffee table in front of her.

I turn to look at the blushing girl beside me, who no longer represents the fragile person I would see at the psychiatric facility. No, this girl is strong. Resilient. Empowered. She just doesn’t realize how much she has overcome.

Discreetly, I snap a picture of Penny with my cell and then tuck it back into the pocket of my jeans.

Penny’s eyes move about the space, locking with each individual present, until she circles back to her cake.

---