Robbie Lewis stepped into his office the following Monday morning and found his sergeant already there. While exchanging good mornings, Robbie tried to put his finger on what was different about Hathaway. Then he realized that the guarded look that was always in Hathaway's eyes was gone, replaced by self-assurance and an inner peace. He silently congratulated Penny on a job well done. "I can see that you've come to your senses about Miss Larson. For a clever boy, you were a bit slow on that."
"Yes sir. I made the mistake of underestimating her."
Lewis shook his head. "Never underestimate a woman, James. That's a lesson to remember."
"I know, sir. I was temporarily blinded by my patriarchal, patronizing, crap attitude toward women but now I've seen the error of my ways."
Robbie smiled to himself at the memory of Penny getting the best of Hathaway the other night. He walked to his desk and noticed a package sitting on it. "What's this?" he asked Hathaway.
"It's a little thank you from Penny, sir. The thought is from me as well, although you'll be glad I had nothing to do with the gift." He decided not to mention the box he had also dropped off on Laura Hobson's desk.
Robbie opened the box. "Homemade biscuits!" He picked one up, took a bite and smiled. "Oh, Hathaway, a woman that can cook and beat you in a battle of wits-you've met your match, lad. Hold onto that one."
"Yes, sir. I don't intend to let her get away again." He closed his hand around the ring box in his pocket.
In her office, Laura Hobson was opening a box that was topped by a thank you card. She smiled as she removed the contents. It was a dress almost identical to Penny's blue one, the only difference being the color—a deep shade of green that would suit her as well as the blue suited Penny. She put it back in the box (It certainly wasn't something to wear to the office!) and started planning when she would use it.