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The proprietor nodded, seemingly satisfied with what he had heard. “A noble sentiment, indeed. It will bring him much joy, I’m certain.”

As Penelope and Grandfather left the shop, she held the box close, feeling the weight of history in her hands. She was absolutely certain that James would love it, indeed, for it was so much more than just a broken timepiece. It was a connection to the past, a reminder of the stories that linger in the shadows of time. She glanced up at the stoic man walking next to her, grateful for his presence in her life.

“Thank you, Grandfather,” she said softly, “for all your help.”

He smiled down at her, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. “The pleasure is mine, Penelope. I’ve seen the effect you have on my grandson, and it brings me so much joy to have you not only in his life but in mine as well. You truly are a ray of sunshine.”

She blushed at those words, gently patting him on the hand. “Let’s go home and arrange everything. I wish to surprise James immediately!”

* * *

It was late in the afternoon, and James sat in his study while the sunlight filtered through the heavy drapes. His writing table was cluttered with papers, books, and a decanter of whiskey, none of which held his interest at that moment.

He ran a hand through his tousled hair, frustration evident in every line of his tense posture. Why did she have this effect on him? He had always prided himself on his self-control, his ability to keep his emotions concealed and under control. But Penelope… she was different. Her presence unsettled him in ways he could not fully understand.

James stood and began to pace the length of his study, his footsteps muffled by the thick Persian carpet. His mind raced with every reaction coming back to him, every smile, every glance, every touch. He could recall the exact shade of her eyes, the way her laughter seemed to light up a room. He shook his head in an effort to dispel the image from his mind. This was madness.

Just as he was falling deeper and deeper into the abyss of his own emotions, a soft knock on the door interrupted him, bringing him back to the present moment. He frowned, glancing at the clock on the mantel. He hoped it was not an unexpected visitor.

“Come in,” he called, trying to keep his voice steady.

The door creaked open, and Penelope stepped hesitantly into the room. “I’m sorry to interrupt, James. I was wondering if you had a moment to spare.”

His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. She stood there, her dainty silhouette framed by the doorway, looking as beautiful and uncertain as ever. He felt a surge of emotions, longing, frustration, and an undeniable pull toward her.

“Penelope,” he said, immediately standing up, “it is quite all right. I was trying to do some work. As you can see from the load, I wasn’t very successful at it. Please, come in.”

Penelope walked in, closing the door behind her. As she neared the writing table, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She moved with such grace, her presence filling the room with warmth. He realized in that moment that he didn’t want to push her away. He wanted her close, more than anything. He walked over to her, standing a little too close, but he couldn’t help himself. He needed to be near her.

He then noticed that she was holding a small box in her hands. It was intricately carved, the wood polished to a soft sheen. He looked at her curiously, his brow furrowing slightly. Still, he didn’t want to ask about it. At least, not directly.

“Is there something you wished to talk to me about?” he asked instead.

“Actually, yes,” she said, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink as she looked down at the box in her hands, almost as if she had forgotten she was holding it. “This,” she said, her voice tinged with a mix of shyness and excitement, “is a surprise… for you.”

James felt his heart skip another beat, curiosity soaring sky high. “A surprise? For me?”

She nodded, clearly a bit nervous, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation. “I wanted to do something for you to show my appreciation for… everything.”

He wondered if she wanted to use a different word instead of everything. Did she want to show him appreciation for his affection? For his tenderness?

“Here,” she said, fumbling over that single word, blushing even more fervently.

He took the box from Penelope, noticing that both their fingers were trembling. He gently opened it, the hinges creaking softly. Inside, nestled in a bed of velvet, was an antique watch. It was exquisite, its silver case intricately engraved with delicate patterns. Though the hands no longer moved, it was a piece rich with history and craftsmanship. He carefully lifted it from the box, feeling the weight of it in his hand.

“Penelope…” he said softly, his voice down to a whisper, “this is beautiful. I don’t know what to say.”

“It is broken so it needs someone to mend it.” She looked down shyly as she spoke then once she gathered the courage, she locked eyes with his once again. “I thought it might be something you’d appreciate. Grandfather came to help me, and when he showed it to me, it reminded me of you in a way. Strong, intricate, full of stories.”

“Grandfather went with you?” James asked incredulously. “He rarely wants to go anywhere when I ask him to accompany me.”

Penelope chuckled. “He actually offered to join me himself.”

“He did?” James asked, laughing. “Well, I shall have to have a serious conversation with him about that.”

They both laughed together then he remembered what she said about the watch. He was deeply moved as he stared at it, turning it around in his hand.

“Grandfather and you have an incredible eye for these things,” he said, admiring the craftsmanship. “This is a gift I’ll always treasure, Penelope. Thank you. I can’t wait to start working on it.”