Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Emma opened her mouth, then slowly closed it again, settling into a silence that lingered around the dinner table. The kids, blissfully unaware of the tension hanging in the air, continued to eat at their usual unhurried pace.

garden and barely spent more than three hours at home each day, excluding sleep.

After dinner, Dustin volunteered to do the dishes. Emma stood at the kitchen doorway, feeling a pang of inadequacy. For the past two weeks, Dustin had been the one cooking, cleaning, and looking after the kids. Meanwhile, she was caught up with managing the herbal Watching Dustin's back as he washed up, Emma felt the urge to speak. "Did you have trouble sleeping last night?" she asked.

Dustin stiffened slightly, still facing away, and simply nodded. "Yeah."

How could he have slept well? He had considered the possibility that Emma wouldn't leave with him, but facing that reality was a bitter pill to swallow.

Emma thought about suggesting he stay another night for safety's sake, but what would that solve? They'd both be avoiding the inevitable.

Her eyes welled up, and she turned away, saying, "Why don't you rest for a couple of hours before you go? Jaime's asleep, and I need to dry some herbs in the yard."

Dustin remained silent for a while before managing a quiet, "No need." After tidying up, he went to pack. His presence was troubling for her, so why drag it out?

In truth, he wasn't afraid of the heartache. This past year had been spent mostly reflecting and regretting his choices.

But the woman he truly wanted to marry inspired feelings that were steady and calm, unlike

He buckled Jaime into the passenger seat, securing the seatbelt. Jaime, unaware of the finality of their departure, grinned up at

at Emma, busy with the

turned away, continued spreading the

giving her a hug but stopped himself, knowing it would only make her uncomfortable since

engine faded into the distance, keeping her focus on

like a

at the spot where the car disappeared, watching the dust settle back onto the

check on Heather.

with warmth. Emma kissed

hour later, as she finished her shower, someone burst

collided with a

abandoned her shoes, sprinting barefoot toward the town. The stones underfoot cut into her skin, but she

like the night she carried her mother's ashes home,