As late afternoon shadows stretched across the living room, the reality of Daniel’s departure began to settle over them. Emma had finished her butterfly drawing for Lindy and was now working on a second picture—this one of their family at the park, with stick figures holding hands under a bright yellow sun. She carefully included everyone: herself, Kassie, Daniel, and Lee, Aaron, and Marie.
“I should probably get going soon,” Daniel said quietly to Kassie, though his reluctance was obvious. “It’s a long drive, and I want to get home before dark.”
Emma’s crayon stopped moving. She’d been listening even while focused on her drawing. “Do you have to go now?”
“Not this very minute,” Daniel said gently, moving to sit beside her on the floor. “But in a little while.”
Emma’s face fell, and sh
