The days grew shorter, and the sky began to carry the smell of rain. Something quiet had changed between Emily and Jake. They still met often, still shared long talks and small smiles, but there was a heaviness in Jake’s eyes that hadn’t been there before.
One Saturday morning, Emily arrived at the orchard with a basket of muffins she had baked. She found Jake standing near the old barn, staring at a letter in his hands. When he noticed her, he folded it quickly, tucking it into his pocket.
“You look miles away,” she said softly.
He forced a smile. “Just some news from New York. Nothing serious.”
But his voice was too careful, his eyes too guarded. Emily didn’t press him, though her heart felt uneasy.
