A/N – Here it is, chapter 3! It's a biggy! Sheldon is slightly OOC remember…you will see what I mean once you have read this Chapter. Plus this one is a lot longer…I kind of got carried away J
I hope you enjoy it…tell me what you think of it J thanks for reading and reviewing.
Chapter 3
''Thank you so much for helping me'' Penny gushed with sincerity as she climbed out of the pickup truck.
''No problem darlin'. I hope all goes well for ya dear'' Chris said through the passenger window. With one final wave from both of them, they drove away down the road.
She smiled as she watched them go. She was surprised by how pleasant the pair was. They talked with enthusiasm throughout the journey and included her in the conversation. They never asked for any payment for their troubles and when Penny insisted they turned it down immediately. Penny was starting to like Texas and the people. Her luck was picking up.
Penny scanned her location; she could see the vast east coast shore line behind her. The clouds had cleared a bit and so she was gaining warmth from the bursts of sunlight. She looked towards the road and worked out her game plan. Screw a game plan! Penny thought. Just walk until I find someone with a car. She nodded her head in agreement with herself and picked up her suitcase to set off along the road.
The road was longer than she thought that it was going to be. It felt like hours since she set off. There was an eerie silence around her. The only sound that she could hear was the wheels of her suitcase clacking against dirt road. That sound, and that sound alone echoed all around her. Her steps were slowly reducing as she got more and more tired.
Penny could just about see the sun setting through cracks in the clouds. She stopped just as she came around the corner of the road. She smiled with relief as she spotted a farm house about a mile up the road. As she walked towards the house she took in the appearance. It was white and it looked like all of the land around it belonged to the owner. There was a wonderful field of horses which made her smile in wonder as orange sunlight fell upon them.
She dragged her feet along the gravel as she wandered up the driveway. Lights were on downstairs so she was hopeful that there were people inside.
Penny sucked in a deep breath as she raised her hand to knock on the large front door. She hesitated momentarily but shook her head and straightened her back. She knocked three times and stepped down to the second step of the porch.
Seconds later a young, muscular man with dark blue eyes and brunette hair answered the door. He was wearing a white wife-beater under a red checkered shirt with blue jeans. When his eyes met Penny's, he smirked as he crossed his arms and dragged his eyes up and down her body.
''Well hello there sweet thin', what's a pretty little thin' like you out here for?'' The man flirted with ease and wiggled his eyebrows. His thick Texas accent just added to his charm. For some reason it wasn't quite working on Penny. Leonard ruined those types of guys for her.
Before Penny could even give a reply, a tall brunette women came into view and swatted the man on the arm and pushed him out of the doorway.
''Oh, I'm sorry darlin', Junior here can be a bit forward. Why don't ya step on in here and out of the evenin' breeze.'' The women also had a thick accent but it was more welcoming and kind. Her eyes were sincere with a hint of concern in them.
''That's very kind of you ma'am. My name Penny by the way'' Penny replies politely as they usher her inside.
''Penny darlin', what a beautiful name. Please, none of that ma'am hokum. Call me Mary. The brute that you just met at the door is my eldest, George Junior. This is my daughter Missy and this here is my mother, but you can call her Mewmaw.'' Mary introduced them as she pointed to each member of the family as she stepped into the main living room. ''Finally, that's Sheldon, Missy's twin brother.'' She pointed to the skinny man with tousled brown hair, who was sitting at a corner table reading some kind of text book.
Penny smiled at everyone and was earned with a hug from Memaw and missy. They are all very welcoming, apart from Sheldon who still hasn't even acknowledged her presence.
''Now, Shelly, greet our new guest'' Mary warns him through gritted teeth and stares expectantly at the side of his head.
Penny managed to hide her chuckle as she heard a defeated huff from the other side of the room. Slowly he lifted his head to his mother and gave her an irritated glare before double taking at Penny. His mouth open slightly but he quickly hid his shock and masked his reaction with a bored look.
Penny stared with slightly wide eyes as she looked into his. They were a deep sapphire blue. She felt like she was trapped in some sort of spell and she couldn't pull her eyes away. She smiled shyly and gave him a pathetic wave. The corners of his mouth twitched with amusement but it was gone seconds after it arrived.
She looked at his attire for a nanosecond. He was wearing a blue long sleeved shirt with what looked like a batman top underneath and dark blue straight jeans.
''Hi'' he said stiffly.
''Hi'' she mimicked.
Penny laughed nervously, ''It's nice to meet you'' she said after a few seconds of silence. She shifts under his intense, piercing gaze.
''I'm sure it is'' he muttered while slowly turning his head towards his text book, but kept his eyes on hers until he was fully facing it.
''Now, Shelly, stop being an arrogant ass'' Missy chimes in.
''Language, Missy'' Mary chides her with a stern look.
Missy just rolls her eyes as Penny stifles her giggles and takes a seat next to Missy.
''So what brings you to Texas? You don't sound like ya from around here.'' Missy asks which gains every ones attention, apart from Sheldon's.
Penny sits back on the sofa and tells them all about her journey. She tells them that she is heading to New York to propose to her boyfriend and that the storms have caused her some troubles with her travel arrangements.
''So what's this boyfriend yours like then? He must be somethin' special if you're willin' to go across the country to propose to him.'' Memaw asked.
''Well he is super smart and kind…he's an experimental physicist'' Penny replies with a smile.
Sheldon scoffs to himself which makes everyone turn to look at him.
''Shelly here is scientist too. He's visitin' from California, he works at a fancy university over there'' Mary comments.
''I'm a theoretical physicist mother and I work at Caltech'' Sheldon corrects her and huffs in annoyance.
''Oh, wow! Leonard works there too. Do you know him? Uh, Dr Leonard Hofstadter?'' Penny asks with interest.
''Is he that short little whiny homunculus with glasses and greasy curly hair? The one that grumbles whenever the grad students don't talk to him'' Sheldon replies dryly without looking up from his book.
''Actually, that's a pretty good description of him but a bit over exaggerated. But he's a sweat heart and the nicest guy I know'' Penny smiles at the thought of him.
All the women smiled knowingly at Penny whilst George made gagging noises behind them. Sheldon watched her sceptically but didn't make any further comment and continued to read his book.
Mary announces that dinners ready and Penny instantly feels like she is imposing. Memaw sees Penny internal battle and interjects to scurry her into the dining room.
''Now, come on you. You've been walkin' for hours and we've got enough here for 10.'' Memaw spoke kindly with a hint of sternness.
''Are you sure this is ok? I feel like I am imposing on your meal…I mean, I'm a stranger to you and you are giving me food and shelter, this is just too much, really.'' Penny rushed out in one breath.
''Nonsense, darlin', there is enough here to feed my whole church group, now sit.'' Mary reassured her with a friendly pat on the back.
Junior and Missy snicker as they walk into the kitchen followed by Sheldon. Penny can instantly recognise the siblings teaming up on Sheldon as she witnesses the death glare he sends their way.
Junior and Missy rush to get the seats on either side of Penny. Sheldon snorts and shakes his head at the maturity level of his siblings whilst he takes the last remaining seat opposite Penny.
He catches her glance and purposefully puts his 'physics book', so that's what he was reading, in front of his face.
Penny tried to hide her amused smirk as Mary placed the plates of chicken around the table.
''Now Shelly, ya put down that book right now and pray with your family and our guest'' Mary scolds him which caused Missy and Junior to snicker.
Sheldon rolled his eyes and pressed his lips together in a hard line whilst placing the book by his side.
Mary cleared her throat as she sat at the head of the table. ''By his hand we are all…''
''Fed'' The table chorused in unison.
''Give us Lord, our daily…'', Mary continued.
''Bread'' everyone chorused whilst Penny tried to.
''Please know that we are truly…'' Mary said.
''Grateful'' everyone continued.
''For every cup and every…''
''Plateful'' everyone concluded.
Penny's lips curled up slightly at Sheldon's bored tone as she tried her best to join in throughout the prayer.
She was enjoying herself. She now knew why Missy and Junior enjoyed messing with Sheldon. He was a character and she got a thrill whilst winding him up.
''So, What's with the science book?'' Penny asked innocently whilst everyone tucked into their food.
''I am continuin' with my research here in Texas whilst I am visitin' for the next two weeks.'' Sheldon's interest has suddenly risen with the new conversation topic.
''Wouldn't you rather leave the work at Caltech and use your time off to have fun with your family?'' Penny replies puzzled.
Sheldon snorts, ''Fun? With family? I'm not really the 'let's go to church' kind of person. There isn't much to do here in Texas. Anyway, work is my version of fun.''
Junior jumps into the conversation, ''Hey! You could join me in a bar and we could find you some company…'' he winked overdramatically and wiggled his eyebrows.
''Ya' will stop talkin' about such crude things in ma' house, ya' hear me boy?'' Mary scolds him with a swat to his shoulder.
''Sorry ma' '' Junior says apologetically. ''or we can head out to find some male company if you don't swing that way'' he quickly rushed out and dodged his mother's slap. Missy and Junior burst into hysterical laughter whilst Sheldon sighed with exasperation.
It was clear to Penny that this was an on-going joke between the siblings.
''Stop it ya two, we have a guest. I'm sorry dear…so, Penny what do you do back in California?'' Meemaw asked with a smile.
''I own my own business. It's called Penny Blossoms. I manufacture and design flower hair accessories and sell them in my store.'' Penny said proudly before taking another bite of her chicken.
She received appreciative glances from everyone at the table.
''So… you're not one of those actresses or nothin' like that then?'' Junior asked curiously whilst checking her out again. The question was blunt and judgemental but she hid her hurt feelings. Junior did however receive cold glares from Sheldon and Missy.
''No, not at all. I was the lead in my school play when I was five though, but that's where my acting dreams ended.'' Penny replied with a tight smile and tried not to let her irritation show in her voice.
Penny glanced across to Sheldon quickly, she caught his semi-sympathetic look. Everyone else smiled at her comeback and Junior just shrugged and continued to eat.
''So, Penny, where are ya headin' next?'' Meemaw asked whilst smiling between her and Sheldon.
''Well, my plan is to head to Houston airport to get a plane to New York''
''Houston is a fair way away, I hope that ya have some travel arrangements planned.'' Mary commented.
''Umm, well I was just going to walk the rest of the way'' Penny said slowly, suddenly feeling uncertain.
''Oh dear, we can't let ya walk all that way. Why don't you rest on it and then…Shelly can drive up there tomorrow.'' Meemaw says strongly as if there is no protesting.
Sheldon bolts forward in his seat and almost chokes on his food.
''What, No. You have already done so much for me. I couldn't ask you for anything more'' Penny said sincerely as Sheldon sorted himself out.
''Yes Mother. Listen to Penny. I can't drive her to the airport!'' Sheldon looks horrified whilst missy and Junior are trying not to laugh.
''Shush now Shelly-bean, you are goin' to help Penny'' Missy says just to irritate Sheldon more.
''Hey, I don't mind takin' ya'' Junior says seductively with an eyebrow wiggle and a wink.
''Sorry, bub, Not in a million years'' Penny says bluntly with her Nebraskan twinge coming out in her voice.
Everyone chuckled at her rejection whilst Junior just shrugged it off, but the look in his eye told Penny that he wasn't done yet.
''Please, let us take ya. The lord has guided ya to our home in your time of distress so let us help ya.'' Mary pleaded.
''Well…'' Penny still felt wrong about it. She looked at Sheldon for any sort of answers.
''Come on Shelly…you were just complainin' about havin' nothin' to do here in Texas'' Mary tried one more time.
''Yes but…'' Sheldon tried to think of excuses ''Why can't Missy take her?''
''Please Moonpie. You are a gentleman and gentleman don't leave damsels in distress.'' Meemaw charmed him with logic and her grandmotherly soft voice.
Sheldon pursed his lips but eventually sighed in defeat. ''Very well, but absolutely no idle-chit-chat or gossipin'. We stick to my schedule and I am in charge. We will leave at exactly 7:00am tomorrow morning. Do not be late. I despise tardiness. Understood?'' Sheldon said sternly but it doesn't sound that commanding because of his Texas accent and big blue eyes.
''Understood, sir!'' she mocked his commanding attitude with a salute. ''Wack-a-doodle'' she muttered afterwards with a smirk.
Everyone snickers at the nick name but Sheldon just give her an eyebrow raise and an un-amused look.
''Thank you, all of you…it means a lot, really'' Penny said with genuine appreciation as she stood to carry her plate to kitchen.
Penny thought about how different this day has been as she gets ready for her shower. Missy is really nice and she can see them being good friends. Meemaw is a lovely woman with such a kind nature. Mary is so kind and caring, it's like she accepts anyone into her home. She has really saved her today. Junior is just like the meat heads back in California but she thinks that's just because of their bad first impressions.
Sheldon; he is all sorts of bat-crap-crazy. She couldn't quite put her finger on him. He was innocent and endearing when no one was looking but also narcotic and arrogant too. The way that he described Leonard was a bit mean, although it was a very critical description of him. He was also rude but then awkward. She couldn't believe how blue his eyes were though.
Penny finished her shower and turned off the water to get a towel. She continued her internal debate about liking Sheldon or not as she tightened the towel and stepped out of the bathroom.
Her reverie was broken by an awkward cough from in front of her. She looked up to find Sheldon at the top of the stairs. He starred wide-eyed at her and tried desperately not to move his eyes from hers as he reached for his bedroom door handle that she was standing next to.
She moved out of his way and grasped onto missy's door which was opposite his with a smirk as she stifled her giggles. She took note of the blush that was creeping up his face as she casually strolled into the room and clicked the door shut behind her.
She heard him sigh from the other side of the door and then the door clicking shut.
She was excited for the trip ahead with the Wack-a-doodle physicist.
Yep, so there you go…
Umm, tell me what you think, there will be more banter in the future, they have only just met don't forget.
Sheldon is slightly OOC remember – thicker accent and more casual appearance – also not afraid of germs. It's just how I want him to be in this story.
The next chapter will be up next weekend or maybe Friday if you are lucky.