Of all the treasures Alex had laid her eyes on, she was most grateful to have found a lucky Penny for Cyd.
Even if long-term romance wasn't really her cup of tea, she could already tell her friends were making a good brew together. (Yes, friends plural - Penny was so darn easy to talk to for someone who had grown up in a forest!). Alex even had the pleasure of being a confidant as Cyd and Penny each privately shared their desire to marry the other.
Such secrets were as valuable as jewels worn by silver Goldstein heiresses on yachts. In this case, Alex wasn't going to throw anyone overboard. Cyd and Penny's monogamous interests opened up Catherine's availability to Alex for wooing: exactly her cup of coffee.
Cyd was asked to leave his parent's house to chart his own path and be independent, something that he never did before. Is his recent closeness with his neighbor Kaylynn Langerak genuine interest, or the unconscious movement of someone who is drowning and grabs hold of the first thing in sight (in the search of someone to take care of him)?
A new villager walked by the trailer with a terrier trotting by her side. Alex, mid-tree pose in the garden, called out a good morning.
The villager turned and Alex's poise faltered; she threw her raised foot to the ground and attempted to pull herself together. She saw faeries all the time in Riverblossom Hills, like her ex-husband's sister-in-law, the original "green goddess". Seasons passed and vine-covered forest fae walking among them became commonplace; this faerie, however, had a minty glow. Even eerier, eyes like appleseeds.
"Good morning! My name is Penny. This is Pinky. What's your name?"
Receiving those short but sweet words and introducing herself in turn, Alex wondered if Penny was making extra effort to tick the meet-and-greet boxes. Most neighbours would wave and be on their way (unless the neighbour was Betty, looking for a fight), but she seemed happy to stop and chat. Maybe she wasn't just walking her dog for the sake of it.
Her dog.
"Hey, if you've got the time, you should meet my roommate!"
Penny beamed and gladly accepted. Alex would pat herself on the back later, proud and pleased with her impulsive invitation. Even though Cyd was in his dressing gown to begin with, he made time to share his love for dogs with their guest.
The visit ticked over into the afternoon and Cyd had dressed and put on his best hat, so Alex decided to leave them to it, and met Catherine Viejo outside. Yes, Cyd had been seeing her, but it didn't seem exclusive. Besides, he and Penny looked like they were getting along. Even the dogs were calmly touching noses.