Chapter 45 Home, Finally

• The tires crunched softly over the gravel as Lucas eased the car to a stop in front of their home. Emma gazed out the window, heart fluttering with the kind of excitement only a new beginning could stir. The front porch was dusted with early autumn leaves, golden and crisp, and the sunlight cast dappled shadows over the front steps like a soft welcome.
• Lucas cut the engine and turned to her, smiling. “We’re home, Mrs. Lucas.”
• Emma bit her bottom lip, then grinned. “That sounds even better than I imagined.”