Page 32 of Scarlett

After leaving Boston, he’d not once looked back. His trust had not only been broken, but then the woman he loved had further brought Emmett to hatred when suggesting an affair after she’d married his father.

It was not fair to Scarlett, and if he could go back he would have found a way for her to marry someone else.

She and Blake for example, he considered as he watched them continue speaking, seeming to have found a subject that brought a few smiles from Scarlett.

At the same time, just thinking it, Emmett stepped off the sidewalk and made his way to where his wife was.

Scarlett followed his progress, and she assumed a pleasant expression.

The sheriff grinned. “I’ve been trying to convince your wife to dance with me, but she refuses.”

“As she should,” Emmett replied shaking his head. “I hear you have two left feet.”

He looked to Scarlett. “I’m not much better.”

“It’s fine. My head is beginning to throb. I prefer we go home.” Scarlett looked toward the dancing area. “Here come Esther and Elias now.”

Upon nearing, Elias looked to him and studied him for a moment. “I was hoping to see you dance.” His mouth twitched, as both knew Emmett was a horrible dancer.

In response Emmett narrowed his eyes. “I bet you were.”

* * *

Although the dayhad been enjoyable, she was exhausted and now Scarlett couldn’t sleep.

The realization she didn’t want to be married to Emmett shook her. It had been a huge mistake.

Things were not going to change between them and it was wearing on her.

She tried her best to get comfortable in the bed, but a huge boulder had set on her chest and made it impossible. Emmett slept soundly as usual with his back to her.

That day, not only had she realized how awful her relationship with Emmett was, but also how little he cared about her. Yes, he’d intimated they’d never be in love. However, a friendship at least would have been better than this constant stoic standoff.

Unable to sleep, she slipped from the bed and went to the kitchen. Upon boiling water, she made tea and sat in the front room. There were embers still in the hearth and she added a log that quickly began burning. Scarlett lowered to the floor, the tea forgotten and pulled her legs up to her chest.

There had to be a way to leave, to disappear and perhaps go further west. Although her life was not horrible there in Laurel, at the same time a deep ache within her chest had set up residence.

The pain was a constant reminder of the hollowness of her marriage. Perhaps, it was possible to be happier alone.