Sheila and Benjamin returned to the store, and as soon as they crossed the doorway, Sheila saw Emily quickly approaching them, with an expression that seemed a cross between relief and concern.
"Ah, finally! I was about to go out looking for you," said Emily, with a nervous smile as her eyes settled on Sheila and then on Benjamin.
Benjamin, noticing her agitation, raised an eyebrow and asked in a slightly amused tone:
"Why so scared? Did you think we'd gotten lost in the storm?"
Emily blushed slightly, averting her gaze.
"No... it's not that. It's just that... well, when I couldn't find Treit here, I got a little worried. I didn't want anything to have happened to her."
That, and Sheila still needed to pay.
Sheila, feeling a touch of guilt for having caused concern, was about to apologize when Benjamin intervened with a carefree smile.
