The Damaged Hearts Bargain (Tetherington Hearts #2)

Chapter Four

T he cafe was bathed in sunshine, and the front door was open, letting the fresh air in.

“A few more days like this wouldn’t go amiss,” Lucy said, stretching her legs out in front of her.

“I like the light,” said Pen. “I could do with a little less heat.”

“Says the person who’s going to South America for her honeymoon,” said Lucy. She narrowed her eyes at Pen. “You do know that South America isn’t an actual country, right?”

“No need to be cheeky,” said Pen, putting a coffee cup down in front of Lucy and keeping one for herself. “I’m well aware that it’s not, but since we’re going to be going to a couple of countries, it’s just easier to say it that way.”

“Alright for some,” Lucy grumped, looping her fingers through the handle of her cup. “Why there, anyway?”

Pen pulled out a chair, sitting down before sipping her coffee. “Top secret.”

“Fine, I’ll ask Ash,” said Lucy. The door that connected the bookshop next door to the cafe was standing open and Lucy took a breath preparing to shout Ash’s name.

“You can ask all you like, she won’t tell you,” Pen said.

Lucy put her shout on pause. “Seriously?”

“Seriously,” Pen said gravely. She grinned. “Anyway, it’ll be perfectly obvious when we get back.”

Lucy was about to protest this, about to push her friend for more information, when all the gears clicked into place in her head.

Pen and Ash had been together for a few years now. They were getting married, ostensibly for tax reasons. They were going to a far flung country for secret reasons that would be readily apparent when they returned.

Lucy’s heart skipped a beat.

A baby. It had to be a baby. Pen and Ash were going to adopt, that’s the only thing it could be. They needed to be married for it to happen, and they were keeping things secret just in case it didn’t work out, or they jinxed things or something.

She took a breath. She was happy for them, of course she was. Happy and horrifically jealous.

Not that she wanted a screaming baby. Not yet at least. But she’d at least like the opportunity to not want one with someone.

“Now what’s got into you?” Pen said, eyeing Lucy carefully.

“Nothing,” said Lucy quickly. “Not a thing. I was just…” She trailed off because she didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t come out wrong.

“Don’t lie to me,” said Pen. “I know you all too well. You were odd last night at George’s as well.” She leaned forward and put a warm hand on Lucy’s arm. “Come on, tell your old Aunt Pen what’s got your knickers all in a twist?”

Lucy sighed. “It’s just… everyone I know is all paired off. It’s not that I’m not happy for you all, I truly am. But with Billy and George and you and Ash, I just…”

“You’re starting to feel like a third wheel.”

Lucy pulled a face. “George says I’m the fifth wheel.”

“George should think before he speaks,” said Pen, with a sniff. “Have you tried getting out a bit more?”

“To where?” asked Lucy. “I’m not going to meet many eligible bachelorettes at crochet circle, am I?”

“I suppose not,” said Pen, scratching her nose. “Tetherington is a small town.”

“Tell me about it. I don’t think there’s an interested party in town that I haven’t already been on at least one date with.” She frowned at Pen. “And there definitely isn’t anyone that you haven’t already dated.”

Pen laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with having a friend do a trial run for you, help work the kinks out.” She patted Lucy’s arm again. “But I get your point. I was you just a few short years ago.”

“So what changed?”

Pen shrugged. “Ash moved next door.”

“Great, so I’ll just have to wait for new neighbors to move in, will I? Given that Billy’s cottage is about as isolated as it could get and still be in town, I’m thinking that I’m going to be single for a good while yet.”

“Being a pessimist never got anyone anywhere,” Pen said stoutly.

“You’re only saying that because you’re a pathological optimist.”

“And it all worked out for me,” Pen retorted. “So put on a smile at least. You’re not going to attract anyone with a frown.”

Lucy bared her teeth in what could passably be called a smile and Pen laughed at her just as a small child ran into the shop. The small child was followed by two more, then by a harried looking mother carrying a baby on her hip.

“The usual, Moira?” Pen asked, standing up and wiping her hands on her apron.

“Please, Pen,” said Moira. “Lea, don’t do that, and Harley, I swear, if you touch that glass I’ll cut your fingers off.”

“Oh, leave him be,” said Pen laughing. “Glass can be cleaned, can’t it, Harley?” The boy gave her a grin. “And why aren’t we all in school this morning?”

“Teacher training day,” said Moira, leaning on the counter with one hip. “So it’s just me and the kids. With the weather like this, they’re going crazy inside. I’m never going to get anything done with all of them home.”

“That seems like a sign to take them all down to the beach,” Pen said, wrapping up a second loaf of bread and putting it next to the first before sliding them both over to Moira.

Moira paid, corralled her children into a group, and left the shop, bidding goodbye to both Lucy and Pen.

“See, you could be like Moira,” said Pen, sitting down again.

Lucy pulled a face. “Five kids and a husband that works too much doesn’t sound like fun to me.”

“That’s part of your problem,” said Pen. “You’re only looking at two select couples, both of which are in relatively new relationships and don’t have children. You’re also only seeing what those couples want you to see, not what goes on behind closed doors.”

“Are you and Ash having problems?” Lucy said, straightening up. “Oh no, wait, it’s not George and Billy is it?”

Pen shook her head. “No, we’re all fine, as far as I know. It’s just that you might be romancing this all up a bit, you know. Being too romantic about romance.”

“I am not.”

“You sure?” asked Pen, picking up her coffee mug. “Because you’re still young and relationships come with responsibilities, with compromises. You still have your own dreams to work on.”

“George told you about the residency program.”

“George is a lovely man, but he’s also a fishnet and shouldn’t be trusted with anything vaguely secret,” Pen said.

Lucy looked out onto the sunny street, still fairly empty at this time of year. “I just want someone, Pen. Is that so wrong? Someone to laugh with. Someone to walk on the beach with.”

“It’s not wrong,” Pen said gently. “It’s not. And your time will come.”

“The tourists will be here soon,” Lucy said. “There’ll be more options then, I suppose.”

“You could join the apps.”

“What do you know about apps?”

Pen rolled her eyes. “Honestly? I’m in a relationship for four and half years and suddenly I become ancient?”

“If you’re ancient, what does that make me?” said a booming voice as Elspeth, the local primary school teacher, came into the shop.

“A relic,” Pen said, getting up again. “And aren’t you supposed to be training?”

“Training what?” asked Elspeth.

“It’s a teacher training day,” said Lucy.

“Oh, right, well that mostly just means an excuse to catch up with marking and sort out the teacher’s cupboard,” Elspeth said. “And for that, I’ll need sustenance. Two sticky buns please, Pen. And what’s making you ancient?”

“We were just talking about Lucy joining some dating apps,” Pen said, getting a paper bag ready for the buns.

“Oooo, like Tinder,” said Elspeth.

Lucy groaned. “You know about them too?”

“I might be over forty, but I’m not a nun,” said Elspeth. “And why aren’t you out meeting people instead of doing this online?”

“Because she’s dated every available woman in town,” put in Pen.

“You make me sound like a nymphomaniac,” Lucy said.

“You haven’t dated me,” Elspeth said, voice a little harder.

For an instant, Lucy stared at her, then her lips started to move of their own accord. “It’s not that… I mean… you’re very attractive, but… I think…”

Elspeth broke into a laugh. “Calm down, Lucy. I’m teasing you. I don’t think I’m your type, and you’re definitely not mine. I prefer someone a bit more… Matt Damon looking.”

“I could cut my hair off?” Lucy offered, joining in the laughter.

“I think I’m content to wait a bit longer for my Prince Charming,” Elspeth said, putting some coins on the counter to pay for her buns. “You should join those apps though, it’s not a bad idea. Lots of people meet their partners online nowadays. Just be sure what you want, I think that makes a difference. You don’t just want to pick someone willy-nilly.”

“She has a point,” Pen said, sitting down again after Elspeth left. “What are you looking for?”

“Someone kind,” Lucy said immediately. “Someone funny, someone who likes me as much as I like them. ”

“Could you be a bit more specific?” Pen asked. “Because there’s filters and stuff and there’s one for hair color, but none for kindness, I’m afraid.”

Pen’s phone was already in her hand. “Wait, we’re doing this now?” Lucy asked.

“No time like the present, is there?” Pen asked. “You said you’re looking, so let’s look, get you out there, be proactive.”

Lucy’s heart beat a bit harder. “Yeah, I suppose,” she said. “I’ve got to be at the newsagents in a few minutes though for my shift.”

“Well, unless you’re not sure about looking for someone and you’re romanticizing this all a bit?” Pen asked.

“No,” said Lucy, a smile spreading over her face. “No. Let’s do this. I’m ready to meet my Prince Charming. Well, princess, I suppose.”

“Decisions then,” said Pen. “Hair? Eyes?”

“Yes to both.”

Pen stuck her tongue out. “You know what I mean.”

Lucy groaned. “Fine. Long, blonde hair, I suppose. Dark eyes. Tall.”

And Pen started typing.