Page 64 of Recipe for Temptation (Madewood Brothers 4)

She’d let her fear of their disapproval control her, to the point that she wasn’t brave enough to stand up for Cole when he needed it. Maybe if she had fought for him, if she had told him how she felt, he would have had a reason to stay. But she’d stayed silent and let him suffer her father’s accusations. He’d spent the entire week trying to get her to open up to her family because he believed in her, supported her, flaws and all. And she’d betrayed him by not returning that favor.

She should be sad. She should be crying in the corner like a little girl because her heart was broken. Instead, she was angry.

Blood-boiling angry. At herself.

And there were a few people she needed to set straight.

She walked with determinati

on through the hotel complex toward the beach. The waves, the wildlife, and the chatter of the other guests had all morphed into a buzzing noise that echoed in her ears.

She stopped at the edge of the sand. Just in front of her, her family was having a great time celebrating their version of a closing ceremony with a bonfire, but she had nothing to celebrate. She had lost more than just a trophy. She had lost the man she loved.

If she hadn’t been so angry, she would have admired that the hotel staff had dug out a pit in the sand and formed a seating area around the small fire with soft cushions and pillows. They’d even set up a table with all of the fixings for s’mores.

“Penn, there you are,” Christine said, while putting her roasted marshmallow on top of chocolate and graham cracker. “We’ve…” Christine’s face fell when she looked up at her. “What’s wrong?”

So she had her angry face on. Good.

Andy ran up from out of nowhere and yanked on Penn’s arm. “Aunt Pennie, will you build a sand castle with me?”

She looked down at her nephew, excitement and innocence in his eyes. Immediately, she thought of Cole. Of what his life must have been like at Andy’s age. Going hungry. Having to endure strange men coming into the one place that was supposed to be safe. Her chest tightened, and she wiped away a tear that fell from her cheek.

She pulled Andy closer into a tight hug. “In a little while. I have to talk to the adults first.”

When she approached the bonfire, her parents and siblings were engaged in conversation and barely noticed her arrival.

Until Dave snickered. “Where’s Celebrity Chef?”

Her hands fisted at her sides. “He had to go home.”

“Kitchen emergency?” Dave slapped his knee in amusement.

“They probably had to serve frozen chicken instead of fresh,” Ian said, getting in on the Cole bashing.

Penn looked over at Pete, trying to ground herself.

Keep your cool, Penn.

“Madewood restaurants serve sub-par food.” Beth joined in, too. “News at eleven.”

Penn crossed her arms over her chest. “You really shouldn’t trash talk someone who’s not here to defend themselves.”

“What’s Celebrity Chef going to do?” Dave held out his arms as if welcoming a confrontation. “Force feed me cheesecake until I puke?”

She tried to take her brother’s joking in stride, but all she saw was red.

“No, you douche,” she spat out the words. They rolled off her tongue so easily.

Damn that felt good.

“I will.” She eyed her family, one by one, taking a deep breath before saying, “Because I love him.”

“I knew it!” Beth yelled out, jumping from her seat.

With the exception of her, the rest of the family was silent.

“I love him.” The more she said it out loud, the more her heart tightened because she knew it was a lost cause.

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