Chapter 2

Isobel gripped the steering wheel of her car as she pulled into Raymond Penny’s driveway. The familiar irritation twisted in her stomach—this was the last place she wanted to be on a Monday morning. But an odd sense of duty had compelled her to return the stuffed rabbit to Susie in person. It wasn’t just about the toy. The weekend had left her unsettled, as though she owed something more than just a return delivery.

She stepped out, clutching Bunny in one hand. The morning air was crisp, the sky a sharp winter blue. Taking a deep breath, she strode up to the front door and knocked. The door swung open almost immediately. Raymond stood there, looking as professional as ever in a crisp shirt and tie, but with a faint shadow of fatigue under his eyes. Beside him, holding his hand, was Susie. The little girl’s eyes brightened when she saw the toy.

“I’ve brought him back,” Isobel said, her brusque tone businesslike as she extended the stuffed rabbit toward the child. She expected Susie to snatch Bunny and retreat, but instead, the little girl did something unexpected. She reached out, not just for the rabbit, but for Isobel’s arm, pulling her down slightly so they were at eye level.

“Thank you,” Susie said softly.

Then, before either adult could react, she leaned forward and pressed a quick, shy kiss to Isobel’s cheek. The touch was light as a feather, fleeting, but warm. As soon as it happened, Susie gasped, eyes widening as if she herself couldn’t believe what she had just done. With an embarrassed squeak, she spun on her heel and ran back inside, clutching Bunny against her chest.

For a moment, there was only silence. Isobel blinked, stunned. She could still feel the warmth of Susie’s lips on her cheek, a surprising contrast to the usual ice-cold interactions she had with Raymond. Raymond, for once, seemed at a complete loss for words. Isobel opened her mouth, as if to say something, but no words came. Instead, she abruptly turned on her heel and hurried back to her car, her pace quick and uneven.

Raymond watched her go, his brows drawing together. The whole thing had lasted seconds, but something about it felt significant. As Isobel climbed into her car and drove away without another word, he exhaled and muttered a hesitant, “Thank you,” though he doubted she heard it. Shutting the door, he turned to see Susie standing a few feet away, still hugging Bunny. She looked up at him uncertainly.

“That was a very lovely thing you just did, honey,” Raymond said, crouching down to her level. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, wrapping his arms around her.

Susie clung to him briefly, then whispered, “I was lonely without him.”

“I know,” he murmured. “But he’s back now.”

She nodded solemnly. “And Miss Scowan looked after him.”

Raymond hesitated. The idea of Isobel taking care of anything tenderly was ... well, hard to imagine. He ruffled Susie’s hair and stood. “Come on, let’s get ready for school.”

Susie propped Bunny on the pillow of her bed and gave him a firm kiss. “Stay here,” she told him seriously. “I’ll be back later.” And with that, she grabbed her schoolbag and took her father’s hand as they stepped out into the morning light. For the first time in a long time, though he couldn’t explain why, Raymond found himself in a slightly better frame of mind.

... .