Tangled In Time

Threads Of Fate

I lifted myself from Blake's lap to stretch and look outside, my pulse still racing as I scanned the forest beyond the window. But there was nothing, just the rustling of leaves and the faint sway of branches in the soft breeze. The air inside the cottage felt too thick, too charged; I needed to clear my head.

"It was probably a squirrel," Blake said, his voice calm but slightly strained as he got up from the sofa to stand beside me.

I glanced up at him, his shirt still slightly untucked from earlier, and the sight brought a warmth to my cheeks. He caught my gaze, and for a moment, neither of us said anything, the charged silence between us a reminder of what had just happened. His hair was slightly mussed, and the faint shadow of stubble on his jaw made my fingers itch to trace the line of it.

"I think we should get out of here," I said finally, breaking the moment. "Make the most of the day, like you said. If we take the Journal with us you can read what I did."

Blake nodded, his eyes softening as he reached for my hand. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through me, and as he brought my fingertips to his lips, the kiss lingered just long enough to make my breath hitch.

"Then let's go," he murmured, his voice low, yet full of unspoken promise. His fingers brushed against mine as he led me to the door, before opening it he quickly tucked his shirt back in, smiling at me. Then he took hold of my hand again.

Blake and I began walking toward the house, the gravel crunching beneath our feet as we left the cottage behind. His hand brushed against mine before entwining our fingers. A quiet comfort settled between us as the warmth of his touch contrasted with the cool late-morning air. I couldn't help but glance at him, the corners of his mouth soft with a contented smile, though his brow still bore the faint shadow of earlier worries.

As we rounded a bend in the path, a figure emerged from the direction of the main house, her silhouette becoming clearer with each step. Gwen. Her stride was purposeful, her hat angled jauntily over her curls. My heart leapt in my chest, and without thinking, I dropped Blake's hand and took a small step away. The loss of his touch sent a pang through me, but I knew how it might look, and I didn't want to make things worse.

As Gwen came into view on the path ahead, her basket dangling from one arm and a folded parasol in her other hand, her steps quickened. She approached with a graceful stride, her hat tilted at a jaunty angle, her curls bouncing lightly with each step. But as she came closer, the usual brightness in her smile dimmed, replaced with something more cautious.

"There you are!" she exclaimed, her voice cheerful but tinged with an undertone of curiosity. "I was looking for you two."

Blake straightened beside me, his expression softening at the sight of his sister. "What's brought you out here?"

"Oh, nothing really," Gwen said lightly, though her eyes lingered on Blake. "I just happened to pass Charlotte on the drive. She didn't stop to say goodbye, but she looked... well, I can't quite put my finger on it. Angry? Hurt? Both?" Gwen tilted her head, her gaze flicking between us. "She barely even glanced my way. What on earth happened?"

Blake's jaw tightened briefly before he sighed. "I've decided to end the engagement."

Gwen's eyes widened, her lips parting in shock. "You... ended it?"

"Yes," Blake said, his tone calm but firm. "It was the right thing to do. I'm still going to help her father out, but we don't need to get married. Neither of us would have been happy in the long run."

Gwen blinked, clearly trying to process the information. "Well, that explains her storming off, though it doesn't explain why she snapped at me when I asked if she was all right." Her brows knitted together. "She said something about everyone being against her, including me. I don't understand it. She's never spoken to me like that before."