After being busy in the kitchen for a while, Derek Brandon stepped out into a corner that was designated as the dining room and then lowered the two dishes he was carrying on the oak-shaped table.

He then proceeded to Penelope’s room but stopped at the doorway, staring at his happy sister who was smiling so big and also trailing her fingers on the portrait Caleb made for her.

This was probably the hundredth time he would caught Penelope in such a bright and excited mood just this week and when he’d asked her, she would tell him it was nothing.

“No matter how I think about it, Pen. I...