Relief washed over Penny as the first rays of dawn filtered through the blinds, casting soft light across the room. She blinked against the weak sun, her head still aching from the sleepless night, her mind a jumble of questions and thoughts that refused to settle. Despite the lingering exhaustion, the quiet peace of the morning was a welcome reprieve from the chaos of her racing thoughts.

She glanced at the clock. It was early, earlier than she usually rose, but there was no way she could stay cooped up any longer. She had a town to save and a life to get back to, and if her memory served her well, Hank would be starting his day at Sugar & Spice, Lily's bakery. Penny knew that Hank wasn't exactly the type to indulge in Lily's sugary creations every morning, but he was a creature of habit, and it wouldn't be surprising if he were there already, starting his rounds like always.

Penny sighed as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, the exhaustion pressing down on her. With a quiet groan, she stood up and made her way to the closet, dressing in a simple but chic outfit of white button down and black pants before pulling on her knee-length coat. The tailored fabric felt oddly comforting against her skin, even if it wasn't quite suited for the winter chill outside. Her boots—slender, sharp heels that were far too stylish for a small town like Avon—clicked against the hardwood floor as she moved, a sound that was familiar yet out of place in a town where everyone else seemed to be prepared for the snow.

She made her way downstairs, the quiet hum of the old house enveloping her. Her boots made soft, rhythmic sounds as she reached the front door, where she was surprised to find Mr. Northway just inside, knocking snow off his boots.

"First snow," he said, his voice deep and matter-of-fact.

Penny blinked as she looked at him, taking in the snowy dusting on his coat and boots. The old man's expression was as stoic as always, but there was a glint of excitement in his eyes, the kind of joy that only the first snowfall could bring. Despite the weather, Mr. Northway was bundled up and ready for the day, a briskness to his step even in the early morning cold.

"Not a lot, but enough to be slick," he warned, his eyes flicking down to her heeled boots, his brow lifting slightly in a mix of amusement and concern. "Careful now, Penny. You're gonna want something more stable than that if you're planning on walking around today."

Penny glanced down at her boots, the sharp heels sinking slightly into the mat as if to punctuate his point. She couldn't help but smile, even if it was just a small one. "I'll be fine, Mr. Northway," she said, the hint of sarcasm in her voice, though it was tempered by a bit of affection. "I'm just heading out to see Lily. You know, business first."

He gave her a knowing look, shaking his head as he adjusted his thick gloves. "Lily, eh? Well, I suppose that's a good place to start. She's always got a finger on the pulse of this town." He stepped aside to let her pass, his heavy boots leaving a trail of salt and snow on the floor.

Penny gave him a polite nod, stepping outside into the early morning chill. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself, the cold nipping at her cheeks as she walked down the street. The snow was light but steady, swirling in the air as the town seemed to come alive under the soft blanket of winter. The familiar sights of Avon were dusted with white, each house and shop a little more magical beneath the snow.

Penny made her way down the street toward Sugar & Spice, but the path was not as easy to navigate as she had hoped. In the flat, wide sidewalks of Boston, her stylish boots and tailored coat had been perfectly fine. But here, in Avon, the first snowfall had transformed the streets into a slippery maze of slush and ice. The cold wind whipped through her coat, biting at her skin, making her shiver as she tried to keep her balance on the uneven, slick pavement.

Each step felt precarious, as if the next one might send her tumbling. She focused intently on putting one foot in front of the other, her heels clicking on the ground, her mind on the warmth of Lily's bakery just ahead. As she neared Sugar & Spice, she allowed herself a moment of relief. She had made it. The sight of the bakery's cozy glow through the window brought her comfort, the sweet smell of cinnamon and bread beckoning her closer.

But her small victory was short-lived. As her heel lifted for the next step, it caught on a particularly frozen chunk of slush. Time seemed to slow as her boot slid, her ankle twisting awkwardly beneath her, and she felt her body pitch forward.

Before she could feel the cold, hard thud of the ground, a pair of strong hands gripped her just beneath the armpits, lifting her back to her feet with surprising ease.

"Careful there," a gruff voice murmured.

Penny blinked in surprise, her head still spinning from the sudden stumble. She didn't need to turn to know who it was. The voice was unmistakable—deep, familiar, with just a hint of amusement. Chris Sweetser. She looked up, meeting his eyes for a split second, just long enough to see the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"I guess Boston doesn't have ice," he said, his tone laced with a playful, yet knowing edge. Without waiting for a response, he gave her a quick, almost dismissive glance and turned, walking away towards The Loaf and Ladle, his boots crunching in the snow with each confident step.

Penny stood there, a rush of emotions flooding her chest—relief that she hadn't fallen face-first into the snow, annoyance at his comment, and something else she couldn't quite place. She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but no words came out. By the time she processed the moment, Chris was already a few paces ahead, disappearing down the street.

With a frustrated sigh, Penny shook her head, straightening herself and continuing her walk to Sugar & Spice. The warm light from the bakery welcomed her, and she could see through the front window Lily and Hank chatting quietly, their heads bent in conversation. As Penny stepped inside, the warm, sugary scent enveloped her, offering her a moment of comfort amidst the lingering tension she felt from the encounter.

She made her way to the counter, offering a tired smile to Lily and Hank as they looked up. But even as she greeted them, her mind couldn't help but replay the brief exchange with Chris—his hands lifting her, his voice, that smirk. She couldn't decide if she was angry or relieved, or something entirely different.