Owen touched Amelia's fuzzy head as his heart moved with her, and said in a gentle voice, "Get in the car."
His gaze carried a faint indulgence.
Amelia's heart was beating so fast that it felt like it was about to jump out of her throat. She was so happy it was bubbling inside her, her eyes gleamed, and the corners of her mouth were raised high.
But suddenly, the image of Owen and Serene walking into the café that afternoon flashed through her mind, and her face changed, her eyes darkened, and the upward curve of her lips sagged.
Her chest felt unbearably tight.
She lowered her gaze, fiercely suppressing the emotions in her heart, and when she looked up again, her eyes were as calm as a mirror.
She took a step back, escaping from the palm of his hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Moreland, but it's not necessary," she said, her tone neither humble nor overbearing as she glanced in the direction of the approaching bus. "The bus I've been waiting for has already arrived."
