“One of life’s greatest pleasures, sitting out here with a glass of wine and watching the sun go down. You hungry?”

Cassie nodded and for a few minutes they got down to the business of filling plates and sipping sangria until the edge was off. They made small talk as they ate dinner. Penny warmed up, losing a bit of her formality and Cassie began to remember what it was like to have friends and do normal things like have barbecued chicken on a summer evening.

“So why Petal, Cassie Gambol?” Deciding enough small talk had been expended, Penny cut to the chase. Perceptive eyes watched the woman seated across from her.

“A friend passed through a few years back and loved it here. I was sick of LA and wanted a change.”

“Well, isn’t that easy sounding? Somehow, I think it’s more complicated than that. You married?” Cassie was a good person, Penny hadn’t seen or sensed anything to make her believe otherwise. But she skirted around details, kept things broad and general. She was hiding something.

Cassie’s mouth tightened. Bingo. There was a story there. “I was. We divorced.”

Penny waited but Cassie didn’t elaborate. “What did you do in LA?”

“All kinds of things. I worked for my brother. I ran his law office.”

“You certainly do seem to be organized. I know a lawyer who needs some part time help, actually. One of my dearest friends, Polly Chase, her husband Edward is looking. She was just talking about this a few days ago.”

“Polly Chase?”

Penny looked askance at Cassie when her voice cracked. “Yes. Do you know her? She’s a pistol.”

“She barreled into the back of my car at a red light night before last.”

Penny’s eyes widened and then she began to laugh. “Oh my. I wish I could say I was surprised but I’m not. Frankly, I’m waiting for Shane to take her license away. I love her like my own mother but she is the worst driver in the history of ever. I trust you’re all right? I haven’t seen her since Wednesday and haven’t been out of the store much. I can’t believe I missed the gossip on that.” Penny sighed with a rueful smile. “She really is a good person. She’s just the type to always be thinking about twelve other things and putting lipstick on at the same time.”

Cassie just shrugged. “I’ll have to take your word for it. My small bit of experience with the woman hasn’t been all that encouraging.”

“She’ll win you over. It’s useless to try to resist her. She’s special in her own indomitable way. Fiercely loyal and loving. When Ben died, that was my husband, she came over here every day and brought me food. Did my laundry. The entire family has been there for me. Kyle, her son, he took care of the lawns and Shane—that’s the sheriff, you may have met him after the accident—he was at my side the entire trial. Edward made sure they prosecuted that rat bastard within an inch of his life.”

“What happened to your husband? If you don’t mind my asking.”

“He was murdered. A hit-and-run. That scum had a record of drunk driving as long as my arm. He hit Ben when Ben was on his evening jog. Left him bleeding by the side of the road. Didn’t even call the cops anonymously. By the time they found Ben, it was too late. He had massive internal injuries.” Penny’s shoulders fell. “Anyway, one of that murderer’s co-workers saw the damage to his car and called to report him. They found Ben’s blood on the bumper. He confessed. And then he tried to say it was allergy medication that went wrong. He’s doing ten years. That bastard killed my husband and all he got was ten years.”

Penny’s smooth veneer slid away and behind it, Cassie saw something she recognized. Reaching out, she squeezed Penny’s hand. She knew what it felt like to be failed by the legal system, even when most of the people involved had done all they possibly could for her.

“I’m sorry. I don’t even have words so I won’t try.”

Penny sighed and shook it off. “I’m mostly past it. I have my days, but you have to move forward. I met Ben in my last year of high school. He and I had twelve years together, that’s more than a lot of people ever have. Living in the past kills you and I know he’d hate it if I couldn’t let go.” Penny smoothed down the front of her skirt as she pulled herself together.

“If you decide you’d like the work, I’d be happy to introduce you to Edward. He’s a very nice man. And if you haven’t seen those Chase boys yet, well, you’re in for a treat.” Penny winked.

Not being able to help it, Cassie laughed. “Yeah, I’ve seen ‘em. I live next door to Matt, and Shane took my accident report. I met Kyle and his wife Maggie too.”

“All of them are single except for Kyle.” Penny’s face tried to stay innocent and nonchalant and Cassie snorted.

“Oh, well, I don’t think I’m ready to date just yet. Maybe later.”

The humor slid from Penny’s face. “That bad, was it? Your ex?”

“Yes.”

Penny let the one word answer go because it spoke volumes. Whoever Cassie’s ex-husband was, he wasn’t a nice man. She liked Cassie and hoped one day she could confide in her. Penny knew that every story had to be shared in its own way so she’d back off for the time being. She would ask Edward about the job too, though, because she wanted to help Cassie all she could.

The following Sunday, Shane pulled his truck into his parents’ driveway and hopped out. It was just in time for the weekly family dinner. He cut it close but he’d had a call and had driven past Cassie’s on his way back. Just to make sure everything looked all right.