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Penny
Penny pulled away from the curb and proceeded down the side street until she came to the next corner, feeling ... well, she wasn’t quite sure what she was feeling. Anticipation? Fear? A combination of the two?
She wanted to see him again, and yet she was afraid of what might happen when she did. She likened it to a roller coaster—inching to the top, knowing there was something on the other side that was going to completely steal her breath away.
Which, of course, was silly. Especially since she’d never actually ridden a real roller coaster. But she’d heard stories.
There was something about Jaxson Adams that disrupted her circuits. She didn’t know what to make of him or how to process the weird sense of ... energy, electricity, charge ... she’d experienced when she was around him. It was unlike anything she’d ever felt.
After waking from her nap, she’d convinced herself her imagination had been playing tricks on her. Rationalized that it was her mind’s way of dealing with the lack of sleep and the adrenaline rush that had come from almost running the guy over.
Now, she had to admit that wasn’t the case because she’d been calm and alert ten minutes ago, and she’d still felt those ghostly, pesky tingles in his presence. That sense of possibility. Of potential. And attraction. Loads and loads of raw, visceral attraction.
What was she supposed to do with that?
She had a few ideas.
The image of a bare-chested Jaxson flashed behind her eyes again, just as it had been doing since earlier that morning. Her fingertips tingled as she imagined running them over those pecs, tracing those tats, and then exploring further down the ripples of those washboard abs, following the trail of dark hair that no doubt led to something equally impressive beneath the denim.
She shook her head to clear it when the desire began to bloom in her core. Those kinds of thoughts were only helpful if both people felt them, which he obviously didn’t. In fact, he’d probably be quite happy if their paths never crossed again.
Penny sighed. Always a bridal bouquet creator, never a bride.
Not that she wanted to marry him. But something better than disdain would be welcome. A flare of interest based on mutual attraction. Flirtation with intent to seduce. Hot and sweaty monkey sex in his motel room. Whatever.
She slowed as she approached the Stop sign and snorted, earning a curious look from the Schaeffer twins, the elderly spinsters out for their daily stroll. Penny smiled and waved.
Her smile faded as she continued on her way. Seduction and sexy times were probably the last things on Jaxson’s mind when it came to her. On anyone’s really.
Penny had no illusions. Everyone had their part to play, and hers was the good girl next door. The one who tried to brighten other people’s days with a kind word or a cheerful smile, even when she could have used one herself.
Penny the Pest.
The old nickname rose up from the depths, reminding her that sometimes, she tried too hard.
Though as she’d gotten older, she’d gotten better. Had her mother not insisted upon inviting Jaxson to Sunday dinner, Penny would have respected his wishes and left him alone. She would’ve called Zeb Monday morning and made arrangements to get Jaxson’s bike fixed, and then she’d have put the whole situation behind her.
At least, that was what she would have tried to do. Relegating Jaxson Adams to the back of her mind was proving to be easier said than done, especially when fate seemed determined to keep tossing him into her path.
Maybe she shouldn’t have followed him to the library earlier. But when she’d seen him walking by the shop, looking like a man on a mission, she hadn’t been able to stop herself.
What exactly is he up to?
That he went to the library was unexpected—the microfiche room even more so. He was so intent on whatever it was—or rather, whoever it was—he was looking for that he didn’t notice her skulking around.
Her great-aunt Agnes did though. Eyes like a hawk, that one.
Of course, that led to a lecture on how nice girls didn’t chase boys, especially boys who were obviously trouble.
Penny had assured her great-aunt that she wasn’t chasing him—she totally was—that it was simply coincidence they’d wound up in the same place at the same time. That she had gone to the library for a new book, seen the man she’d met that morning heading down to the microfiche room, and had naturally been curious what he was doing down there.
Then, Penny had to explain how she’d met him. Word would get around soon enough anyway.
Great-Auntie Agnes looked over her half-moon glasses and sternly told her that curiosity killed the cat and she had no wish for her great-niece to meet the same fate.
Overly dramatic, but that was Great-Auntie Agnes.
And ironically funny, because Jaxson had said pretty much the same thing only hours earlier.
Not wanting to endure another lecture, Penny did not tell her about the Sunday dinner invitation. That, too, Great-Auntie Agnes would learn about soon enough, and hopefully, that talking-to would be endured by Penny’s mother and not Penny. It seemed only fair since Penny’s mother was the one who had insisted he come to Sunday dinner.
That pending dinner invite was how Penny rationalized waiting around until Jaxson left to issue said summons.
After leaving the library, it was a matter of occupying herself until Jaxson left. The community park was nearby, and that was where Penny sat with the library book she hadn’t really wanted while she waited. She’d selected the classic Pride and Prejudice, which had mollified her great-aunt somewhat.
Jaxson came out promptly at closing time, shooed out by Agnes herself, at which time Penny put the next step of her bold plan into action.
She followed him to Franco’s, and then she went back and got her car, thinking to offer him a ride. He seemed to have difficulty walking, and she thought he might appreciate it.
He hadn’t.
Nor had he appreciated her tenacity.
Well, tough tulips. He wasn’t the one who would have to face Addie Hoffmeier’s wrath if Penny returned without securing a positive RSVP.
She only hoped he kept his word and showed up because if he didn’t ...
Penny shuddered. She’d done her part. What happened next was completely out of her hands.