"Because I think she made the biggest mistake of her life."
I looked up. "I didn't expect you to say that."
"I loved seeing you two together."
"Then why didn't you stop her?"
Her expression filled with regret. "I tried." That answer lingered between us. After lunch, I replaced another section of fencing.
The afternoon sun broke through the clouds. Birds returned to the trees. Everything felt strangely peaceful until another car pulled into the driveway.
I recognized it immediately. A silver SUV. Emily. My hands froze around the hammer.
She stepped out slowly, equally surprised to see me. "Daniel?"
"Hi."
She looked from me to the nearly finished fence. "You came?"
"My mom called."
"I didn't know."
"I figured."
Linda appeared from the porch carrying another bottle of water. "Oh." She looked between us. "I guess this conversation was going to happen eventually."
Emily crossed her arms awkwardly. "I was only dropping off groceries."
"No rush," Linda said gently. "Stay for a minute." Emily hesitated before walking into the backyard. Neither of us knew what to say.
Finally, she broke the silence. "The fence looks good."
"Thanks."
"You always were good with your hands."
I smiled faintly. "And you always noticed details." For just a second, it felt like we were 25 again. She wore a wedding ring.
I noticed it. She noticed me noticing. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"For what?"
"For how everything ended."
I took a deep breath. "I forgave you a long time ago."
"You did?"
"I had to."
She looked down. "I never forgave myself." Before I could answer, Linda quietly excused herself, leaving us alone beside the half-built fence.
The breeze moved through the trees. Emily brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I heard you've been doing well."
"I stay busy."
"Happier?"
"I've been trying."
She smiled sadly. "I always knew you'd find your way."
"And you?"
Her smile faded. "I'm still figuring that out." Something in her voice told me there was much more to the story than she was willing to say.
Before I could ask, she glanced toward the house as if making sure her mother couldn't hear. "Daniel." She swallowed hard. "There's something you deserve to know."
I rested my hammer against the fence post. "What is it?" She opened her mouth, but the sound of another car pulling into the driveway cut her off.
Both of us turned toward the front yard. A tall man climbed out of a black pickup truck. The moment Emily saw him, all the color drained from her face. And I realized whatever she had been about to tell me was far bigger than a broken fence.