Caleb Bishop reached out to smooth Penny Morgan's hair when he suddenly heard Jeanette Kensington cry out sharply:
"Caleb!"
Caleb Bishop frowned and looked back at her.
Jeanette Kensington knew she had overreacted. 'Don't overthink this,' she told herself. She walked over and said, "Look what a mess you've made of her hair. Little girls like to look pretty. Here, let me do it."
Caleb Bishop nodded and put Penny Morgan down.
Jeanette Kensington hugged the little girl and fixed her hair, her voice gentle. "Your name is Penny, right? That's such a cute name, just as cute as you are. How old are you?"
"F-five years old."
"Oh, you're already five! You look a little younger than that." Jeanette Kensington smiled and patted Penny's head. "You're so pretty. Can I hold you for a moment?"
After a moment's hesitation, the little girl nodded.
