Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

He averted his eyes from her, trying to find the right words.

"I get it. You're not all that into me, and you're not gonna settle just for the kids. How about we just say I came to check on you and the kids, and we acknowledge our situation publicly? Does that work for you?"

He was hoping to stop the media from spinning tales about him and the kids.

Emma nodded and quickly headed back to her bed. It was big, but squeezing four people in was still a bit tight.

"I'll set up the guest room for you," she offered.

But Dustin pointed to a makeshift bed he'd already laid out on the floor. Emma was taken aback, unsure how he'd managed to dig up a blanket, especially since there was only one. It wasn't cold, but the floor was no place for a comfy night's sleep. So, she fetched a few extra quilts from the closet to soften it up.

off. I don't want you and Heather catching a chill." Jaime snuggled in and was out

off the light, but couldn't sleep. Her daughter's gentle breathing filled the room. It had been a year since she'd heard such comforting sounds in her bedroom. She couldn't help but turn slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of Heather sleeping. But the rural setting was dark, lit only by the soft glow of the moon,

the

to

Heather up. Emma wanted to stop him, but he was already on his feet, bending over with Heather in his arms. She grabbed his wrist to say

falling on the child,

something soft. He looked up, startled, realizing his hand had landed on Emma's chest, Their eyes met in the dim light for a brief moment before he quickly withdrew

the silence first. "Let Heather stay on the bed. It's not her that's keeping me up."

mind kept going back to that night, despite the fever, it remained crystal clear. He was no stranger to these situations, but Emma's hesitance was both endearing and

village chief showed up in the morning, he was shocked to

"Mr. Lynch, where's Emma?"