Esme whipped around, meeting Emma's curious gaze with bewilderment, her mind scrambling to process the situation. Shouldn't Emma be inside Silas's cabin, briefing him on the day's affairs?
Esme's confusion deepened as she realized that Emma had just arrived, meaning Silas was currently alone in his office. A pang of regret knotted in Esme's stomach as she cursed herself for not checking sooner. She had been so absorbed by the flowers that she had forgotten everything else.
"Um, I just got here," she managed to squeeze out those words.
"Flowers!" Emma's gaze dropped to the bouquet in her hands. "Looks like you've already got an admirer in the office. Any idea who it might be?" Her smile was both playful and intrigued.
Esme's cheeks grew even warmer as she fumbled for an explanation. "I-I don't know. I found them here," she mumbled, avoiding Emma's probing gaze, afraid that her thoughts might betray her.
