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He kept his hand on her shoulder.

I turned to him.

“I’ve finished everything I need to do at the Factory today. Lisa has the closing instructions, and I’ll send Janine the report once the final records are ready.”

“Goldie—”

I looked at him, waiting.

He paused, then said, “I don’t want you leaving because we disagree about a Halloween costume.”

“That’s not why I’m leaving.”

His brow furrowed.

“Then why?”

“Because you accused me of doing something I promised I wouldn’t do, and after everything we’ve shared this weekend, you still won’t believe me when I tell you the truth.”

His expression changed, but he didn’t answer.

I wasn’t going to stand there waiting for him to find another way to explain why I was wrong.

I said goodbye to Sienna, then walked toward the parking area.

Duncan didn’t follow me.

I found my SUV beneath a tree shedding yellow leaves across the windshield. I unlocked it, climbed inside, and sat with both hands on the steering wheel.

For several seconds, I couldn’t bring myself to start the engine.

Yesterday morning, Duncan had arrived at my cottage with his daughter, smiling at me from beside his truck. We’d spent the day laughing, eating donuts, admiring pumpkins, and watching Sienna discover how much she could do.

Last night, I’d fallen asleep in his arms.

This morning, I’d kissed him goodbye and looked forward to seeing them both again.

I started the engine before I could talk myself into going back.

The drive to the cottage passed in a blur of familiar streets and autumn decorations. I barely noticed any of them.

When I pulled beneath the oak, the driveway looked exactly as it had Saturday morning.

I went inside, hung my coat beside the door, and set my keys on the little table.

The cottage was quiet.

In the kitchen, Duncan’s coffee mug was still sitting beside mine in the drying rack.

I picked it up, held it for a moment, then set it carefully back where he’d left it.

Only then did I start to cry.

Chapter Six

Goldie disappeared around the end of the vendor tents before I could think of anything to say that wouldn’t make matters worse.

Sienna pulled her hand out of mine.