Page 24 of Love, Untangled

Carlo scowled. “You shouldn’t be inviting her to that.”

“Of course we should! She and that alpaca are new to town, and the animal is quite the charmer. He likes kids and even seems to ask to be pet. At least that’s the word on the boardwalk.”

Carlo smiled. “I’m not surprised that Alpaca Man likes the beach. He’s more human than many people I know. Or maybe he’s just like a really long-necked dog.”

Hattie chortled and Carlo surprised himself with a chuckle. He shook his head.

“Yesterday, when I was explaining the difference in the apples, he seemed to grasp the complexity.”

“We’re nothing if not innovative here in Cinnamon Bay.”

He lifted the cup to his lips.

“Help me down the steps, dear. Your lovely neighbor is right over there.”

Carlo lowered the coffee and assisted her. “So?”

“So? I want you to say hello. I like her.”

Carlo caught the slight change in her tone but decided that was because he hadn’t followed her conversation. Hattie tugged him forward into the soft, brown sand that was a few degrees from too hot.

Dammit. He wanted to drink his coffee. The brew teased his nose, a bit spicier than usual, making his mouth water.

Carlo noted the small knot of kids surrounding Pen’s alpaca. His gaze moved up toward Penelope—who preferred to be called Pen. She wore a wide-brimmed hat made out of felt or some other material that was soft and floppy. It had flowers woven into the top and a more intricate pattern on the brim. He knew immediately that Pen had made it. Her eye for detail never failed to surprise him.

Hattie dropped his arm and glanced around. With a satisfied nod, she turned to smile at Penelope.

“Hello, Penelope,” Carlo said.

She glanced up and shot him a smile. “Oh, hi Carlo. It’s nice to see you.”

No one would know he was at her house yesterday for lunch and that he’d lingered afterward, nailing down a couple of boards on her porch that weren’t even that loose just so he could spend more time with her. He enjoyed spending time with her—learning more about her dreams.

But Carlo suspected that Hattie knew. Somehow this woman and her cronies were aware of how much time he spent with Penelope. He didn’t like that—he really didn’t appreciate being spied on.

Carlo finally sipped his coffee, enjoying the heat and rich flavor. Eva over at the café made an excellent cup. Way better than he managed at home. The kitchen had been Cora’s domain. But he was learning—and getting damn good at making bread. He smacked his lips, trying to place the aftertaste. Hints of cinnamon, maybe.

Pen sat in the partial shade of one of the pier’s supports. Her blonde hair slipped across her cheek and she pushed it back, resettling her hands to the task in her lap. She had a small loom, not much bigger than a laptop, and she was weaving fibers through long loops hooked to the top and bottom of the loom. The pattern Penelope wove was intricate, her fingers moving with surety and speed.

Her sunny smile brought a reluctant grin to his lips. She was always so happy and the good humor infected him. “It’s nice to see you too. What are you working on?” he asked.

“This is a panel for a woven quilt,” Pen said. She bit her lip. “I had the idea after you talked about the quilts at book club. I’ve always wanted an orchid, so I thought I’d incorporate the flower in the design.”

“You quilt too, dear?” Hattie asked. “Here, I have an extra coffee from Eva—you remember Eva, right? She made you and Carlo each a special drink as a thank-you for the knitting help.”

Penelope turned her gaze to the older woman and nodded. “Oh, thank you. I love a good coffee, and Eva’s are the best.” She smiled as she accepted the cup. “I guess you’ve figured out by now that if it’s a fiber, I love it. I weave, crochet, knit, and I even sketch and paint a little.”

“That’s so interesting,” Hattie said.

Pen lit up. “Yes, I hope to find another alpaca or two—so Alpaca Man has company—and so I can spin their fur into yarn.” She turned shy, looking downward. “You’re not interested.”

“On the contrary,” Carlo said. “I’m very interested in your plans.”

He smiled and she grinned back. Yearning flooded his chest. She was so lovely, so pure. How could he not want to spend time with her?

“Drink up,” Hattie urged. “It’s an interesting flavor. I’m curious about your thoughts.”

Obediently, Pen took a sip. She scrunched her nose a little as she swallowed. “Very nice.” She didn’t sound as if she thought so. “Cinnamon, is it?”

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