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I peeked at him from over my shoulder.

The ground rocked beneath my feet.

God, he was so viciously beautiful it made my heart ache. “Are you telling me in five minutes I’m officially going to be open for business?”

His lips twitched up on the sides. “Yes, I am.”

I shook myself off, swiping at the tears staining my cheeks. “Let’s do this.”

When we stepped all the way inside, I noticed Penny on this side of the counter. She was also wiping tears from her face.

An outsider with loneliness swarming around her, but some kind of hope radiating out.

Sympathy clenched my chest, and I was hit by the overwhelming need to make her feel at home.

To show her that she belonged with us.

There was a reason she’d come here, to this town. I bore no questions about it.

I took Meems’ hand. “I want you to meet someone.”

I started to lead her through the displays. Meems shuffled behind me until we were standing in front of Penny.

“Meems, this is Penny, my one and only employee and my new friend.”

“Well, any friend of Elena’s is a friend of mine.” Meems immediately seemed to clue into it, too.

Surprise curled through Penny’s features, and she sniffled, embarrassed and itching on her feet. “Oh, well…”

I leaned my shoulder into Meems’. “Penny has been a lifesaver. I thought I was only hiring someone to help with shifts, but she has jumped in and helped with so much. This place wouldn’t be what it is without her. I’m so happy she’s here and a part of the team. A part of us.”

I looked at Penny when I said that.

Pain crumpled her face, and I reached out and took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“Ah, well it looks like Penny has found the exact place she’s supposed to be,” Meems murmured. “Welcome to Crimson Creek.”

“Thank you.” Penny croaked it.

“Um, I’m sorry to break this up, but look!” A thrill filled Brinley’s shout.

I shifted to find a car pulling into the lot.

“My first customer,” I wheezed.

“Nope, I think someone else wants that position.” Silas’s low drawl pulled my attention to where he stood at one of the displays midway in the store. Kai was at his side, jumping up and down with a crocheted stuffed dragon clutched in his tiny hands.

“I get this, Wena! I get this!”

Happiness hit me on an inundating wave, and I felt the warmth skate even deeper. I peeked to the side.

Trevan was just staring at me.

Awe.

Affection.

Greed.