A penny earned, p.1
A Penny Earned, page 1
A Penny Earned
The Penny Chronicles- Volume 3
Olivia Gaines
Front Matter
Davonshire House Publishing
PO Box 5027
Augusta, GA 30916
THIS BOOK IS A WORK of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s vivid imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely a coincidence.
© 2024 Olivia Gaines, Cheryl Aaron Corbin
Copy Editor: Teri Thompson Blackwell
Cover: Corbin Media
Olivia Gaines Make Up and Photograph by Charles Corbin
ASIN
ISBN:
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means whatsoever. For information address, Davonshire House Publishing, PO Box 5027, Augusta, GA 30916.
Printed in the United States of America
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 9 8
First Davonshire House Publishing August 2024
Also by Olivia Gaines
The Blakemore Files
The Delgado Series
Killers
Yunior
Becoming the Czar
The Technicians Series
Blind Date
Blind Hope
Blind Luck
Blind Fate
Blind Copy
Blind Turn
Blind Seed
Blind Side
Blind Spot
Night Blind
Love Thy Neighbor Series
Walking the Dawg: A Novella
Through the Woods: A Novella
Life of the Party: A Novella
A Blue Christmas: A Novella
Kisses in the Snow
A Whyte New Year (2024)
Modern Mail-Order Brides
North to Alaska
Montana
Oregon Trails
Wyoming Nights
On a Rainy Night in Georgia
Bleu, Grass, Bourbon
Buckeye and the Babe
The Tennessee Mountain Man
Stranded in Arizona
Maple Sundaes and Cider Donuts
Moonlight in Vermont
Sunflowers and Honey
Katherine Moves to Kansas
Down Home Cooking
Husking For Nebraska
Show Me
Hawkeye, Goldfinches, & The Farm
Penny Chronicles
A Bad Penny
A Penny Saved
A Penny Earned
The Zelda Diaries
It Happened Last Wednesday
A Frickin’ Fantastic Friday
A Tantalizing Tuesday
A Marvelous Monday
A Saucy Sunday
A Sensual Saturday
My Thursday Throwback
Slivers of Love Series
The Deal Breaker
Naima’s Melody
Santa’s Big Helper
The Christmas Quilts
Friends with Benefits
The Cost to Play
A Menu for Loving
Thursdays in Savannah
DEDICATION
For you...thanks for trusting me with your time and imagination.
“The world doesn’t make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?”
Pablo Picasso
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To all the fans, friends, and supporters of the dream, as well as the Facebook community of writers and journaling junkies who keep me focused, inspired,
and moving forward.
Write On!
Contents
Front Matter
DEDICATION
“The world doesn’t make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A Penny Earned
Chapter 1 - Collect
Chapter 2 - Pocket
Chapter 3 - Draw
Chapter 4- Obtain
Chapter 5 - Bag
Chapter 6 - Make
Chapter 7 – Rake In
Chapter 8- Haul In
Chapter 9 - Bank
Chapter 10 - Clear
Fictional Treasure Hunters
About the Author
A Penny Earned
The adventure concludes as love evolves between Dr. Fred Quartermaine and Dr. Penny Dobbs in A Penny Earned. In this thrilling finale, Fred and Penny confront a new development which shakes the foundation of Fred and Penny's relationship, forcing them to reevaluate their priorities and the nature of their bond. As they navigate this emotional upheaval, they gain an unexpected ally: a towering Missouri-based Technician whose skills and loyalty prove invaluable. Their journey takes them across the country, facing danger at every stop. Fred and Penny must uncover the truth in Philoneous’ caper to discover where and how he hid the gold. Amidst the chaos, their love deepens, teaching them that true love and trust are the greatest rewards. Join Fred and Penny in A Penny Earned, where romance, adventure, and newfound friendships culminate in an epic conclusion to The Golden Orb Chronicles.
Chapter 1 - Collect
The weekend didn’t end in a total bust for the newly merged and recently gained family and friends experiment between Fred’s and Penny’s parents. The women, who remained at Fred’s home while the men ventured out for the day on the 41-foot yacht Fred owned, had plans of their own. Although no one expected the day to blend easily, the ad hoc ladies' day, worked out well. Conversation among the women became delightful as Cecily, Fred’s mother and a cultural food historian, shared techniques of making fresh pasta by hand.
Using the vegetables in the root cellar, fresh sauces simmered in aromatics filled the home, and even Marisol, who felt like an unwanted red-headed stepchild, partook in the activities, finding herself enjoying the creations. She made notes in a notebook given to her by Penny of ingredients and how much of each item was used to create the dishes. Quietly, they enjoyed lunch and spoke a little about life or what was expected of them as women and wives. For a moment, Penny wondered how Fred was faring on his men’s outing.
However, on the boat, Fred found himself at the mercy of not only his father, but Penny’s father as well, with Desirío bringing up the rear with talk of marriage. Penny’s father, Jerry, started the conversation.
“I’m not old-fashioned, per se, but Fred, I need you to help me understand what is occurring between you and my daughter,” Jerry commented.
“Sir, in all honestly, I don’t know myself,” Fred said. “Everything is new and coming at us so quickly that neither of us has had an opportunity to discuss anything other than getting her well.”
“Fair enough,” Jerry said, “and after she gets well?”
“We see where life takes us,” Fred replied honestly.
Fred’s own father also chimed in, “If you can see yourself waking up next to her every day for the rest of your life, then you know where life is taking you. Son, you’re getting too old to be undecided about the woman who will bring forth the next generation of Quartermaines. Besides, I want some damn grandkids before I get too old and my gums look like we’re both teething.”
Desirío found humor in the conversation. “I was forced to marry early. She was from a nearby village. The courtship was quick and she doesn’t even like me. I don’t think our kids like me either.”
Everyone turned to look at him. He shrugged his shoulders. No one spoke as he cast his line in the water. The silence was broken by the waves lapping at the side of the boat.
“My life is not my own,” Desirío confessed. “I have found happiness and comfort in the arms of women whom I have paid for their time, not in that way, but you know, the gifts. Dr. Fred is right to take his time. My sleeping quarters are separate from my wife’s in case she wishes to kill me in my sleep.”
Fred blinked several times. “Okay then, I was not expecting it to go there.”
Jerry wanted to go there, and he needed answers. “So, do you two, you know? I don’t mean to be crass, but a woman has desires as well.”
“If she wants me in her bed, she leaves a scarf tied to the door,” Desirío said. “I shower, take care of her needs, and retreat to my own room.”
“What if it’s you that is in need?” Jerry wanted to know.
“Then I tap on the connecting door and let myself in,” Desirío- said. “It is very rare that I trouble her. I find my entertainment elsewhere. We have the three odd children. My daughter is obsessed with the kittens. Everywhere I step is the kitty cat baby. I do not like it there.”
Fred pressed his lips together to suppress his laughter. “You do know you can get rid of the kittens or at least have the mother spade and the fathers neutered, so there will be no more litters.”
“And then what? Have the girl dislike me even more than she does now? I get enough of that from her mother,” Desirío said. “Daughters, they break your heart either way, no?”
Both Jerry and James nodded their heads. Jerry chuffed, “I have two daughters. One married the dullest man on the planet and gave birth to highly intelligent children who will spend most of their lives being shunned because they will never fit in. The other daughter brought home a husband whom she left, and now you, Fred. I have not been given a choice in getting to know you as a potential son by law. She just rushes into life and we are left to deal with the fallout, good or bad. Heartbreak isn’t the word.”
James spoke up, “This son is a solid man; my other is prone to flights of fantasy. Also, I think my d aughter is gay.”
Everyone looked at him, including Fred. He’d never heard his father speak about Anna that way, and he was sincerely shocked. The thought had crossed Fred’s mind several times, but he never spoke of it and sure as heck would never address such a topic with his little sister.
“It’s okay. She’s free to love who she wants,” James said, “but again, it may lessen my chances for grandchildren.”
Desirío spoke, “She can like the kitty cat and still have children.”
Fred began to chuckle. The entire situation was so surreal he could only laugh at all of it. The conversation went downhill from there as they ate sandwiches, drank coffee, and discussed life. As weird as it all felt, Penny had been correct. He needed the man's time not only with his father but as an opportunity to bond with hers as well.
In the afternoon, the men returned to find fresh pasta made along with bread that Desirío recognized had been made by his wife. He kissed her, providing a warm hug, and to his surprise, she returned the affection. Penny witnessed a similar transaction between her parents as well as Fred’s.
“Hey,” Fred said, bending to embrace her while providing a soft kiss to her cheek. “Miss me?”
“Every second you were away,” she said, surprised at her own honesty. “Did you have fun and bond with my Daddy?”
“I think we did. He wants to know what we’re doing.”
“What we’re doing?”
“Yes, our relationship,” Fred said, touching her cheek. “I have no answer, but my father said if I couldn’t see myself waking up every morning without you at my side or in my life, then I had my answer.”
“That’s great,” Penny said, “but I’m unclear on the question.”
“We will know soon enough I guess,” he said, taking her hands into his own. “In the meantime, we concentrate our efforts on getting the pretty lady back on her feet. Does that work for now?”
“It works for now,” she replied, looking at him.
In her own mind, she asked herself the question if she, in fact, could see herself waking up every day next to Fred Quartermaine. In the past, the argument she constantly underwent with her own ego was a man needed to earn her respect and then her trust in order to earn her love. The deal-breaker, which she often posed to a potential partner, challenged the notion of unconditional love. Fred casually pointed out to her that she didn’t believe in such a thing because, if she did, she’d still be married to Harold.
Fred called her out on a lot of the things that, at some point had made perfect sense for her to claim as a logical train of thought. So far, the man had not only earned her respect, but he had also earned her trust. Loving him didn’t seem like a hard thing to do since he placed all of his efforts into each task he undertook, including her recovery. This, she respected about him. Other things, as the months of recovery ticked past, she was learning to love.
TWO MONTHS LATER
“Good morning,” he said, raising up on one elbow. “How are we feeling this morning?”
“Excited to get this stupid thing off my foot,” she said, nearly giddy.
“I’m excited to get it off your foot too,” he said, widening his eyes. She knew what that look meant.
“Will you get your mind out of the gutter?”
“The gutter came for my thoughts. I mean really, rude as hell, driving up to the front door, knocking loudly, and yelling through the mail slot. The audacity!” he said and laughed.
His hand, rough on the finger pads, ran across the soft cotton of her pajama top. Immediately, her nipple hardened under his touch. It had been several months since they’d had a full-blown, hot, and sweaty session. This afternoon her foot would be free and a no holds barred session of wow could take place. She could barely wait.
“Doctor, boot, then date night,” she said. “A real, balls up near these walls date night with wine, cheeses, and sexy lingerie. A girl can’t feel hot and tempting with a giant grey boot on one foot walking about like the Elephant Man.”
“I hear you, and I want all of that too, but this morning, can we get a tug and a rub to get the engine fired up?” he asked, doing his best to look pitiful.
“That look only works on your Mama when you’re trying to get a second cookie. It doesn’t work on me,” she laughed and teased him by showing off one boob.
“Penny, damn,” he said, yanking back the covers to show off his discomfort. “I’m not going to make it until tonight.”
“Self-service and let me watch,” she said, licking her bottom lip.
“I don’t wanna do it myself,” he said, scowling like a five-year-old not wanting to eat his peas. “I want you to do it for me.”
“Nope!” she said, scooting off the bed. “I’m going to wash and prepare for my doctor’s appointment to get this thing off my foot. Then, my hunky honey, we can truly spend the time getting caught up.”
“I’m already caught up in this moment of agonizing defeat,” he smirked, sullenly acquiescing, knowing he’d have to wait until later.
Fred’s mind began to wander to the list of items that had arrived from Headquarters in Boston. There were a few pieces of paper, but there were other items which niggled in the back of his mind about where the parts connected. Working remotely was a disadvantage in many ways, since the normal process would have Fred on site to match collections with locations in the home and how the items could have been grouped. Groupings were home catalogued by dates of purchase, themes, or relevance to history. To have items randomly show up at his home was a bit off- putting.
The other off-putting moment came an hour later as he brought Penny to the doctor’s offices. Luckily, the publishing company she worked for had a fantastic insurance plan, and she’d been able to be seen locally without a seam to be shown in the level of care. Usually, when he brought her into the office, he never stayed. Truthfully, he seldom came inside, but today, she’d forgotten her purse.
“Hey, baby, you forgot your purse,” he said, bringing the expensive designer bag inside. He knew the bag was expensive by the way the other ladies looked at it, ogling the leather with purse envy.
“Thank you,” she said, softly, blushing at the women staring at either the purse or Fred.
The nurse behind the counter didn’t miss a beat. She smiled widely at Fred, then looked at Penny. “Is this your husband, Dr. Dobbs?”
“No,” Penny replied and offered no further explanation.
Fred saw no reason to elaborate, but the solid no from Penny hit him hard, feeling like a blow to his solar plexus. Instinctually, he understood the woman needed no explanation of their relationship, since it was none of her business. However, having no label as the man in Penny’s life stung. For the oddest reason, he needed a moment to gather himself because he wanted a label.
He wanted Penny to introduce him to people as hers. Fred Quartermaine wanted the woman he had woken up next to for the past few months to label him as her own, put a yoke around his neck, a ring in his nose, and whistle whenever she needed him to come running. His head was high when he left the doctor’s office to run an errand, returning a half hour later to pick up his best girl to take her home.
“Anything you need to grab while we are out?” he asked, looking at the freedom of movement with her unbooted foot.
“Not sure at this point. I do have a lot of physical therapy coming up and may need some workout clothes,” she said. “I do want my car. I can drive now. Oh, I can also fly.”
“Are you leaving me?” he asked, wanting to know where they were going from here.
“No, silly. I can fly to Maryland and drive my car back. It will give you some breathing room, and I can get the things I like to be comfortable. Who knows? I may stay at home for a bit,” she said and smiled. “Aren’t you tired of me being underfoot?”
“Penny, I have enjoyed having you at home, recovering from your injuries and living with me,” he said softly.
“Fred, come on. Don’t be this way,” she said. “We need the break. I need to go to my home and check on things there. I need to spend time with my sister and have dinner with my folks. I had a life before my foot. I’ll be back.”
“It just seems so sudden,” he told her. “You never mentioned that was your intention, but I get it. Do what you need to do.”
