Emily sat alone in the dining room, the walls echoing with the memories of a life that once filled the space with laughter and dreams. She stared at the empty spot where the vintage record player used to sit, a relic of the past that held countless moments of joy and shared music with Steve.

It was a bittersweet reminder of a day they had spent exploring the vintage shops scattered throughout southern Minnesota, stumbling upon the record player buried beneath a stack of forgotten magazines.

But since Steve's departure, everything had crumbled. The laughter had faded, the dreams shattered, and Steve had even taken the record player with him the day he moved out, a painful reminder of their acrimonious split. The house that was once a sanctuary of love and shared aspirations now stood as a hollow shell, haunted by the echoes of what once was.

In the days following Steve's sudden disappearance from her life, Emily had slowly found strength within herself. Bit by bit, she had lifted herself from the depths of despair and rebuilt a semblance of normalcy. The constant demands of running her pastry shop had provided a necessary distraction, leaving little time for reflection or reminiscing about the past. The weight of her responsibilities shielded her from the painful memories that threatened to consume her.

But now, Steve had barged back into her life, violating the sanctuary of normality she had fought so hard to preserve. His attack on her pastry store had stripped her of purpose, it was a hurtful and direct attack on her livelihood. The aftermath of that fateful day had plunged her into a state of uncertainty and vulnerability. Left to her own thoughts, Emily navigated the treacherous terrain of her emotions, grappling with the pain and loss that engulfed her.

With her family residing a thousand miles away in New Hampshire, Emily's closest connection was with the Sommerfield community. It was a community she had grown fond of, introduced to her through Steve, who had been born and raised in Sommerfield. But now, alone and unsure, Emily wondered if the warmth and acceptance she had once experienced would continue in her newfound circumstances.

As doubts and insecurities gnawed at her, Emily chose to withdraw from her social circles. She deliberately avoided Sunday church services, knowing that Steve would likely be there, their encounter serving as a painful reminder of their shattered relationship. She became scarce at other social gatherings, including the crochet club meetings where she had gotten to know Sally. Content with her professional interactions through the pastry shop, Emily found solace in the buffer it provided, shielding her from the vulnerability of a reduced social role within the community.

As Emily sat alone in the dining room, the once-appetizing plate of chicken before her had turned cold and unpalatable. Each bite now carried the bitter taste of memories, reminding her of Steve's absence. Chicken dinners had been a favorite of his, and his praises for her cooking had once filled her heart with joy. But now, those compliments felt hollow, like empty promises that had masked the cracks in their crumbling marriage.

The weight of Steve's destructive actions lingered heavily in Emily's mind. The reckless attack on her pastry shop had not only taken away her beloved sanctuary but had also shattered the illusions of a happy marriage that she had clung to. The compliments and praise she had received from Steve now seemed like veiled lies, meant to maintain the facade of a blissful life. The realization left her feeling disgusted and betrayed.

Unable to bear the weight of her thoughts any longer, Emily rose abruptly from the table, her anger and restlessness consuming her. With a determined gesture, she swept the entire plate of chicken into the trash, the sound of it hitting the bottom echoing her frustration and discontent.

Feeling the urge to escape, to find solace in the outside world, Emily hastily put on her coat and made her way to her car. The engine roared to life, and she sped off, the screech of tires marking her eagerness to leave her troubled thoughts behind.

Her mind searched for a destination, and instinctively, her thoughts turned to her pastry shop. But the idea of immersing herself in the sterile environment of the kitchen, surrounded by cold stainless steel, held no appeal. She yearned for something more, something that would provide comfort and a respite from the unbearable isolation that weighed upon her soul.

Guided by an unspoken longing, Emily's car carried her through the familiar streets of Sommerfield. As if drawn by an invisible force, her car came to a halt in front of a modest house with a welcoming glow emanating from within

—

In the Jones family home, Ted found himself alone in the kitchen, his attention absorbed by the recipe video playing on his tablet. Frustration creased his brow as he rewound the video for the third time, struggling to catch the long list of complex ingredients for something as simple as a medley of baked vegetables. He was determined to make a homemade dinner of casserole and baked vegetables, but the intricate recipe proved to be a challenge.

Just as he was about to give the video another try, the doorbell rang, pulling his focus away from the video. Ted's mind immediately jumped to the assumption that it was Becky, who must have forgotten her keys again. With a smile on his face, he made his way to the front door, armed with a witty comment to greet her.

To his surprise, it was Emily standing on the other side. She appeared nervous and meek, her presence unexpected but not unwelcome. Ted exuded a friendly familiarity, sensitive to the difficult time she had been through as he greeted her with a warm cheer.

"Emily, what a pleasant surprise!" Ted exclaimed. "How are you doing? Did you eat yet?"

Emily's response was hesitant, lacking conviction. "I'm... okay, I guess," she replied. "Is Sally home?"

Ted paused for a moment, considering his response. "Sally should still be at the grocery shop closing up," he explained. "She should be back in about fifteen minutes or so."

"Oh," Emily muttered, disappointment seeping into her voice. She felt like she was intruding, imposing on their family time.

Sensing her unease, Ted offered an alternative. "You know, Emily, you're welcome to come inside and wait for Sally," he suggested, his tone gentle and reassuring.

"Oh no I'd hate to trouble you. I'll go wait in the car instead." She turned to leave but Ted spoke, stopping her in her tracks.

"Wait Emily, it's no trouble at all. You know, in our kitchen we do have some of the most comfortable stools in all of Sommerfield. Why don't you come in and give it a whirl. It beats sitting in a cold car in the dark."

Emily's face softened, appreciating Ted's corny but endearing words. Together with Ted's invitation, the savory aroma wafting from the kitchen beckoned to her, stirring a hunger she hadn't realized she had. Finally, she relented and followed Ted inside.

As she entered the warm embrace of the house, Emily's senses were greeted by the tantalizing scent of the stew that Ted had been preparing. She couldn't help but express her appreciation.

"Whatever you are cooking Ted, it smells really good." she commented, her voice tinged with hunger.

Ted beamed, gratitude evident in his eyes.

"I'm glad someone notices the effort I put in!" he said. "I try my best. You know, Sally and Becky are tough critics. They could probably judge on Masterchef!"

Caught in her own thoughts, Emily struggled to engage in conversation naturally. Sensing her inner turmoil, Ted made a concerted effort to keep her distracted. He regaled her with stories of his own life, sharing tidbits of joy and challenges he found whilst cooking, doing his best to provide a comforting diversion from her troubles.

"You know Emily, cooking was never in my blood despite running a grocery store full of so many ingredients. But seeing the joy it brings to people, I wanted to be a part of that process too. Sally's been making a bunch of Becky's favorite dishes since she came home for summer break. I would be damned if I didn't show off some of my flair in the kitchen as well."

The second mention of Becky's return sparked a flicker of interest in Emily's eyes. She had always felt a special fondness for Becky, and the thought of her presence brought a glimmer of joy.

"Becky is back?" Emily asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity and affection.

"Yes, she certainly is. She just went out with some friends today but should be back for dinner."

Emily's face brightened, a spark of excitement igniting within her. She missed Becky dearly and the idea of seeing her again warmed her heart.

"I really miss Becky. I still remember she would often come to the bakery with that friend of hers, they were inseparable." Emily admitted, her voice tinged with longing.

Ted paused his chopping, contemplating his next words carefully.

"You know, Emily, Becky is kind of a big deal now," he said with a chuckle. "Since going to sunny California, she's become like a sun-kissed mermaid of the waves. A totally tubular Californian surfer babe that has tamed the deep blue sea."

Emily burst into unrestrained laughter at Ted's outrageous characterization. Her joyous sound filled the room. It felt so good just to laugh from the heart again, without having to worry about what others thought of her.

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Ted joined in the laughter, unable to contain himself at the infectious mirth that enveloped them.

Wiping away a tear of laughter, Emily looked at the stew that Ted had been preparing, an idea suddenly sparking in her mind.

"Hey, Ted I've just had a brainwave. Why not make the casserole even more special? Turn it into a pot pie."

Ted's eyebrows shot up in surprise, intrigued by the idea. He leaned in closer, urging Emily to explain the process.

"It's simple," Emily explained, a touch of excitement lacing her words. "Just transfer the casserole into a baking dish, make a sheet of puff pastry, place it over the dish, and bake it for about thirty-five minutes."

Ted's face lit up with enthusiasm. "That sounds really fancy! It's sure to impress Becky," he exclaimed. Eager to learn, he asked Emily for instructions on how to make the pastry, playfully referring to her as the "masterchef."

Emily felt a renewed sense of purpose and connection as she shared her baking expertise with Ted.

Emily's voice carried a focused and commanding tone as she asked Ted if he had all-purpose flour, butter, and salt. Fueled by determination, Ted rushed to the pantry, frantically searching for the flour. With a triumphant shout, he discovered the elusive ingredient and proudly announced his success to Emily. Placing the flour on the counter, he hurried to the fridge to retrieve the butter.

As Ted returned with the butter, Emily provided him with precise measurements and step-by-step instructions. Together, they worked to combine the ingredients, forming a sheet of layered, uncooked pastry that held a somewhat respectable appearance. Ted glanced at his handiwork, uncertain if it met Emily's exacting standards.

"Do you think this is good enough?" Ted asked, his voice tinged with a hint of self-doubt. "It looks a little uneven, with lumps of butter poking out."

Emily offered a reassuring smile, appreciating Ted's effort. "For a first attempt, it's pretty good," she assured him. With a touch of playful humor, she added, "Although, I wouldn't be able to sell something like that at my shop."

Ted chuckled.

"I was hoping to moonlight as a part-time chef at your pastry shop, but it seems I've got a long way to go."

From the corner of his eye, Ted caught sight of Sally who had just returned home. She was standing at the doorway, a smile gracing her face as she quietly watched their culinary collaboration. Turning to Sally, Ted couldn't contain his excitement as he shared the news.

"Sally, guess what!" Ted exclaimed, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Emily just taught me her super-secret puff pastry recipe. I've got a nice dish all lined up that I'm sure will satisfy even a discerning gourmet like Becky."

Emily also turned her attention to Sally, a genuine smile gracing her lips. Sally walked over to Emily, embracing her in a warm hug.

"It's really great to see you, Emily," Sally expressed sincerely, her voice filled with warmth.

"You've done pretty well to teach Ted something as sophisticated as puff pastry." Sally jokingly added, "Ted can be a bit of a bonehead when it comes to cooking. But I admire his determination and his refusal to give up."

Ted nodded in agreement, his eyes filled with gratitude as he looked at Emily, "Emily is an incredible teacher. She has a way of making the complicated seem simple. We should invite her over more often to teach us a thing or two about baking."

Sally playfully interjected, a smirk gracing her face.

"Oh, I'm sure Emily has better things to do than teach two old fools how not to burn our pies."

Sally then approached the casserole that Ted had been preparing and dipped her finger into the dish, giving it a small taste. She paused for a moment, contemplating the flavor.

"It doesn't taste too bad," Sally remarked, her voice filled with satisfaction. "I hope Becky will like it. She really misses homemade food. We want to make all of her favorites so that she'll miss home and come back more often."

Emily watched Sally and Ted dote over Becky, a flicker of longing washing over her. Despite all her reservations about motherhood, she couldn't help but yearn for the experience of being a mother, of showering a child with love and homemade meals.

Expressing her thoughts, Emily turned to Sally and Ted, her voice filled with admiration and appreciation.

"Becky is really lucky to have parents like you," she stated, her words carrying a warmth that touched their hearts. "She has all the best bits of both of you."

Ted nodded, his eyes sparkling with affection.

"I couldn't agree more," he replied. With a playful grin, he added, "Although, Becky has all the bad bits as well."

Sally chuckled, joining in the light-hearted banter.

"Actually, I think we're the lucky ones to have such a remarkable kid like Becky," she admitted. Her expression turned slightly more serious as she continued, "But let's not forget that kids can also be a handful. They can cause a lot of grief and angst. It's not for everyone."

Emily regarded Sally with a gracious and understanding smile. Sally's words enveloped her in a comforting wave of encouragement, regardless of Emily's recent decision with Steve concerning the prospect of starting a family together.

Sally pulled up a stool beside Emily, her expression conveying a mix of concern and determination. She knew it was time to broach a difficult topic, one that needed to be addressed sooner rather than later. Taking a deep breath, she began the conversation with care.

"How have you been, Emily?" Sally asked, delicately. "Are you keeping your pantry well stocked at home? Have you got three square meals covered?"

Emily sighed and exhaled, at last some part of her life that was still under control, "Yes, I've got everything covered," she replied. "When it all started, I was so exhausted, I survived on leftover bread from my shop. But that got old, so I started doing meal prep every weekend. Nothing fancy, just chicken dinners with boiled vegetables."

Sally nodded, her eyes filled with empathy. "I know you have it covered, but I thought maybe I could bring some food around once or twice a week, just to mix it up a bit," she offered, a warm smile accompanying her words.

Emily's smile bloomed with appreciation. "I would love that," she replied.

"I heard that Mike did some commendable repair work at your shop." Sally broached the topic delicately.

"Yes, Mike did a really good job," Emily acknowledged. "In fact, it's probably better than it was originally. He and his boss covered the cost of the repairs, so I'm only out of pocket for the baked goods that were ruined on that day. Honestly, I was really grateful for their generosity, my cash flow looks a little gloomy at the moment, but I need to pay them back one day when I can muster the cash."

Sally listened attentively, her concern deepening.

"Thoughts on when you may reopen the shop? Let me know if there is anything I can help with." Sally offered.

Emily let out a heavy sigh, her gaze filled with despair. "Soon, I need to. When I can drag my sorry ass back into it. I just haven't been feeling it..." she admitted. "Every day I remain closed, I'm losing rent and potential earnings. Plus, I don't want the locals to go elsewhere. That could really sink my business." The weight of the situation bore heavily on her.

Sally's eyes shifted briefly to Ted, silently seeking his support, before returning her gaze to Emily. She spoke with gentleness and compassion.

"Emily, did you go to the police to file a report about what happened?" Sally asked, her voice filled with concern.

Emily's response was swift and defensive. "What good would that do?" she said with resignation. "I don't want the situation to escalate further. Besides, the damage has already been repaired. Everyone can move on and avoid making any other rash decisions that they may regret later."

Sally's gaze turned once again to Ted, searching for solidarity. Ted, his hands on his waist, spoke up with a firm voice, his conviction shining through.

"If it were my own shop that Steve had damaged," Ted began, his tone resolute, "I would go to the police, regardless of Steve being a friend and a respected member of the community. I wouldn't stand for someone so brazenly defying the decency and law of our community."

Emily looked exasperated, shifting uncomfortably on her stool. She responded to Ted, her voice tinged with frustration.

"I agree with everything you're saying," Emily admitted. "If I were a third-person, a mere observer, I would wholeheartedly agree. But right now, I'm not in that position. With everything at the store going back to the way it was, I just want to move on."

Ted interjected firmly, his voice unwavering. "The specter of Steve and his actions remains unaccounted for. Until he is brought to answer for the consequences of what he has done, you will have to live with the thought that he doesn't truly know how much hurt he has brought not just to you, but to the whole law-abiding community of Sommerfield."

Emily's expression shifted, a mix of contemplation and resignation crossing her face. Her shoulders dropped and her eyes lost contact with both Sally and Ted. Sally stood up and put her arm around Emily.

Sally enveloped Emily in a protective embrace, offering her comfort and support. With determination etched on her face, Sally redirected the conversation.

"Let's change the topic, Ted," Sally interjected, her voice filled with compassion. "The responsibility shouldn't rest solely on Emily's shoulders. If anything, it's Steve who needs to man up and bring himself in."

Emily, lost in her thoughts, contemplated her situation. Steve's evasive nature, and the support she had received from her friends in the community who rallied behind her when she needed it most. A spark of determination ignited within her, and her posture straightened as she placed her hand on Sally's.

"Ted is right." Emily declared, her voice steady. "That bastard isn't going to turn himself in. As much as it would be easier for me to avoid the whole thing, I can't bear the thought of Mike and Mike's boss paying for Steve's callous and uncaring actions with their hard-earned money."

Emily turned to Ted, her gaze filled with resolve, seeking his support.

"I don't know when I'll be ready," Emily admitted, her voice filled with trepidation, "but one day, I will go to the police. And I want both of you to be there with me."

Ted, his eyes filled with sincerity, walked over to Emily, standing by her side.

"Emily, whenever you're ready, we'll be right there beside you, every step of the way."

In the silence of understanding that followed, Ted broke the silence as he realized that he needed to urgently resume bjs cooking. Turning his attention to the pot pie before him, he placed the pastry-covered dish in the oven while Sally took charge of setting the table, her movements filled with enthusiasm.

"You're welcome to stay for dinner, Emily," Sally invited, not waiting for a response as she set an extra place at the table. Emily's smile of gratitude confirmed her decision, relieved to be free from the prospect of a solitary meal at home. She surrendered herself to the comforting embrace of Sally and Ted's familial warmth, even if only for one night.

As they gathered around the dining table, Ted and Sally began recounting their recent visit to a craft brewery, sharing with Emily tales of their day off. Just as Ted launched into the proud account of how they managed to sneak a preview of the season's new brews, the sound of the front door opening and jingling keys interrupted their conversation.

Becky, with a cheerful demeanor, poked her head into the kitchen, her presence instantly lighting up the room.

"Hey, folks! Something smells amazing in here. It can't possibly be Dad's cooking," she teased.

Emily turned around, her face lighting up.

"Becky!" Emily exclaimed, unable to contain her enthusiasm. Becky ran up to Emily, the two embraced, their hug interrupted momentarily by Becky's bag of books that came between them. Laughter filled the air as they both acknowledged the awkwardness of the situation.

"Sorry about my bag! I went to a bookshop today and I bought far too many books. To make up for my sins," Becky declared, "I bought some donuts for dessert."

Emily laughed joyfully, the tension of the day dissipating in the warmth of the moment.

"Well, then you are forgiven," Emily declared with a smile. "It's so good to see you, Becky. You look even more beautiful with a little tan. Your dad mentioned that you've become quite a 'big deal' and have become somewhat of a beach goddess during your stay in California."

Becky gave her dad a curious yet amused look.

"He said what?" Becky inquired, a hint of playful skepticism in her voice.

Ted brushed off her question with a dismissive wave, his eyes twinkling mischievously. He gestured for Becky to join them at the dining table, eager to hear about her day while they waited for dinner to be ready.

As Becky settled beside Emily, she told Emily about her cozy dorm room at university that overlooked the student lawn and the sunny beaches where she had partied with her new friends in California. Emily listened intently, captivated by Becky's stories, grateful for the shared laughter, banter, and a sense of belonging.