"Bennett love

window. The previous night's encounter lingered in her mind, the memory of th

ra, greeted as she entered with a t

up, brushing her hair out of her f

heon at noon with the Whitmores.

ly friends, and their son, Edward, was yet another s

aid with a forced smi

ape, if only for a little while. After dressing in a simple yet elegant gow

town square. Stalls lined the cobblestone streets, offering everything from fresh produc

local landmarks. She admired the detail, her fingers brus

buying?" a fami

e artist from the gallery. Today, he looked more rel

a smile tugging at her lips

side project. Hel

re to his story but didn't

tudying her. "I didn't ca

d for a mome

f, offering a hand. "It's n

electric passed between them. Amelia fel

he asked, motioning to the sketches

risk. But the thrill of the unknown was

k her to a secluded garden behind the old library, a place most locals had forgott

," Amelia whispered

Leo admitted. "Quiet. Pea

arned that Leo had grown up in Everdale but had spent time traveling, capturing the world through

d, turning the conversation ba

. "Not as exciting as yours, I'm afraid. Ju

ful. "I think you already have. Y

d faded away. But before either could speak, the dista

antly, rising to her feet. "My

expression unreadable.

etween duty and desire.

nto her shoulders. But for the first time in a long while, she also f

the beginning of a love that would