Page 77 of Love, Untangled

“That for us?” Marvin asked, spotting the tray. “I’m thirsty.”

“I can see why,” Pen marveled.

“The trim and finish won’t go as fast,” Carlo said, coming up the steps. He scratched behind Alpaca Man’s ears.

“I can’t believe what you’ve already accomplished,” Pen said. “Oh!” She hurried back in and grabbed the tray, setting it on the small table Carlo had made for her a few weeks before—the second one he’d made. She loved the large crafting table he’d placed in her studio more than she could imagine. But this one was nice too. Carlo was so thoughtful, noting she needed a place for drinks outside. She poured each of them a glass and offered them the cups.

Marvin gulped his drink and poured another before smiling his thanks and trotting down the steps, back to work. Carlo sipped his drink, his gaze soaking in Pen much faster than the lemonade.

She blushed. “I hope you like it. It’s not apple cider—”

“It’s delicious,” Carlo said.

“Um. Good.”

He tilted his head. “Why are you nervous?”

“I…” She blew out a breath. “I don’t know what to say to you. How to behave.”

“I’m still me, Pen.” His eyes held sadness, but there was a lightness to him she hadn’t noted before. “Hopefully, a better version of me. I’m going home tomorrow—to Sacramento. I need to talk to my family.”

“All right.”

They stood next to each other, and Pen was keenly aware of his nearness.

“Thanks for setting this up,” she said, offering him a small smile. Her cheek still ached to do much more. “You didn’t have to.”

Carlo took another sip of his drink. “But I wanted to. So did the other guys. This is fun.”

Pen turned her gaze back to the group of volunteer firefighters who’d just grabbed ropes. On Marvin’s three, they tugged, raising the third wall.

Carlo turned toward her and brushed her hair back from her forehead, his expression soft, caring. “You matter, Penelope Davis. An awful damn lot.”

“I kind of figured that, based on the excessive physical labor.” She went for light, easy.

Pen gestured toward the crew now stabilizing the wall. One of the guys grabbed a nail gun and began shooting them into the seam where the two sides met.

“This is so much fun,” Marvin crowed.

“Right. Well, don’t worry about anything. We’ll get Alpaca Man and Lydia their home back before she has those babies.” Carlo’s hand seemed heavier, firmer on her waist as he refocused on her. “Pen…”

She swallowed, hunger burning in her chest. “Carlo.”

“Come on, man!” Marvin called. “Let’s get this last wall up so we can start on the hayloft.”

Carlo grumbled a moment before stepping away from her. She wrapped her arms around her waist, momentarily too cold.

Chapter 40

Penelope

Pen couldn’t stop thinking about what Leon said about loving someone. She also couldn’t stop thinking about her conversation with Carlo. He’d been gone for over a week, and Pen realized he hadn’t told her when he was coming back. Difficulty with focusing, finding and holding thoughts grew larger with time, not smaller. She felt as if she was falling from a height, plummeting into icy waters. Knowing her chances of survival slimmed with each passing day.

Oh, she taught her classes, both at the farm and at the Sip and Knit events. She made deals with another shop in town to sell her hats and scarves, and some of her yarn.

But she was lonely, even around her friends—like now, when she was in Bottles of Bliss with Joanna but couldn’t manage to focus on what her friend was saying because all she could focus on was that she’d pushed Carlo away. He’d been absent for the last week and a half, giving her the space she requested.

At first, anger built in her chest over his choice. How dare he actually leave? But then she realized she’d asked for the time, and she couldn’t be upset with him for adhering to her wishes.

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