Emma chuckled. “No. I just need some time.”

“I understand, but you shouldn’t be alone, Em. I’ll come, and I won’t tell a soul. I promise.”

A tear welled in her eye. “I know you would come, but I just want to do this alone, okay?”

“Emma, I have to ask this question…”

“What question?”

“Are you… a danger to yourself?”

“No! I promise I’m not. In fact, my head is starting to feel clearer already.”

“Are you sure? I can get you whatever help you need. You know that.” Caroline was a licensed clinical social worker, and her skills had helped Emma after the “incident”. But there were still dark corners of her soul that no amount of counseling was going to touch. Her hope was that the ocean would wash them away.

“I’m sure. Look, I’m going to be okay. I just needed to get away from all of it. I know Steve doesn’t understand, but I need you to make him leave me alone. Okay?”

“He loves you, Em.”

“If he loved me, he would stop trying to contact me. He needs to move on, Caroline. It’s what’s best. We’re never getting back together.”

Caroline cleared her throat. “Okay. I’ll try to talk to him.”

“Thanks. Listen, I’ve got some things to do. I’ll touch base soon, okay?”

“Okay. I love you, Em.” She could hear Caroline’s voice shaking a bit.

“I love you too.”

As she pressed end, she looked up at the bird that had been flying overhead. Now, a flock had joined it and they formed a V before flying off. It hadn’t been alone, after all. It had been looking for its flock, and they hadn’t let it down. She hoped to find her own flock one day. For now, she’d be that lone bird, aimlessly zipping around in the sky, waiting for some kind of direction.

Janine stood in the kitchen, looking out over the marsh behind the cabin. From the moment she’d moved in, this had felt like her happy place. She loved the abundant wildlife she saw each day, from birds to the occasional alligator. The smell of the marsh was hard to describe, and it had grown on her. Of course, mosquito repellant had become more required than fancy perfume, not that she normally wore that either.

She lifted her coffee cup to her lips, savoring the warmth as it passed from her throat to her stomach. Being petite meant always being cold, even in the often muggy lowcountry.

“I’m off to work! See you tonight!” Colleen called as she hurried toward the front door.

“Have a good day!” Janine yelled back, as she always did.

Having her niece as her roommate had been a godsend. Their relationship had grown, after years of not seeing each other when she and Julie had been estranged. Now, surrounded by more family than ever, Janine finally felt at home.

Of course, having a wonderful boyfriend like William helped too. Seagrove felt like the place she was always meant to be, and she didn’t see herself ever leaving. She finally understood what people meant when they said they had put down roots.