Page 26 of If Our Hearts Collide

Both Graham and Nic hold up their hands in defense. “We had nothing to do with this,” her oldest brother says. “Complete coincidence. I swear.”

“You both lie through your teeth,” she snaps. “You know how I feel about my privacy being violated. These skates were on my own personal wish list.”

Angie gets up to sit next to Penny, hugging her to her side. “While the idea of spying and overstepping boundaries is not out of the realm of possibility, the guys didn’t have anything to do with this.”

Penny gives her brothers a sheepish look and then looks up at Angie. “Then how?”

“You basically were glued to the television last Christmas when you were watching the figure skating holiday special. Claire and I just figured you would appreciate your own pair of skates.”

“I love them. I’ve become very interested in skating. But I don’t even know how to skate,” she says sadly.

I’ll teach you, Penny.

I haven’t in years—maybe even a decade—but those skills are never forgotten. The body has an amazing way of retaining muscle memory.

“Then, maybe it’s time to learn a new skill,” Claire says with a smile. “The new place just opened outside of town, and we got you a season pass to go and enjoy the facility at your leisure.”

“Get Iced?”

“Yeah, that’s the one,” Angie confirms.

“Thank you. I appreciate the thoughtful gift. Ironically, I was just looking up training videos on how to skate this past week.” She looks at her brothers. “Sorry for accusing you of spying on me.”

They manage to look innocent, although I know that them keeping virtual tabs on Penny is the norm. As much as they try to stay disengaged from their sister’s private life, I know that when it comes to her track record of trusting the wrong people, they are very much concerned. This is probably the main reason my services are being shifted. The last thing they need to know is personal details about their sister and how she spends her free time. That’s a line they are not willing to cross—on their own.Hiring me to do the job… Well, that’s their decision. They don’t need to be privy to every detail of Penny’s personal life.

“This is from Graham and me,” Nic says, reaching over and passing Penny a small box with a huge silver bow.

Penny shakes it up to her ear. “I wonder if it’s jewelry,” she teases.

“You would be wondering wrong,” Graham laughs.

She pulls off the bow and rips off the lid, gasping as she sees the contents before any of us are aware of what she received.

“What is it?” Donna asks hurriedly.

Dangled on one manicured finger, Penny reveals a set of keys. “Holy shit,” she mumbles. “Is this what I think it is?” Her eyes light up with hope.

“You will have to learn how to drive first,” Nic says, chuckling as she throws herself into his arms, making him stumble back from the shock as he catches her midair.

Graham opens his arms to embrace Penny when it’s his turn. “You are now the owner of an Audi A1 and?—”

“I can’t believe it!”

“Just promise me you’ll be careful,” Germain says quietly from where he is seated nearby.

Penny detaches herself from her brother and does a little jump from excitement. I think all of the Hoffmans are surprised by her energy—I know I am. I didn’t know Penny before she got wrapped up in a bad escort agency and was drugged. However, I would like to think that some of the old Penny is morphing into the woman she is now. I’d hate to think that the one turning point in her life kept her from revisiting her old self entirely.

“Please make sure you stay on top of these driver’s lessons,” Nic whispers to me, as he watches Penny twirl around from the buzz that must be coursing through her.

“Understood.”

“I know we can count on you,” Graham chimes in, for only my ears to hear.

I excuse myself from the conversation, as I find my present to give to the birthday girl. I hope she likes it, because it was very difficult shopping for someone I barely know.

“Here’s my gift to you, Penny.”

Her eyes light up with joy. “Thanks, Collins. I wasn’t expecting you to get me anything. I just thought…” She shakes her head. “Anyway, I appreciate the gesture. That’s really sweet of you.”

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