***Author's Note***

Thank you all SO much for reviewing, you have no idea what that means to me. I'm really glad that you're enjoying my little story and I will definitely be writing lots more! Now, onto chapter three…

Chapter 3: Apologies, apologies, and more apologies

The walk to the shop is pleasant. I walk close to the docks, watching the ships sail into port, Amanda holding my hand and sucking on one of her peppermints. We approach a wooden bench where a young woman and her son are seated. My heart pounds in my chest when the woman lifts her head and our eyes meet. Amanda releases my hand.

"Matt!" She cries happily. The boy doesn't talk but smiles by way of greeting.

"Mr. Turner, what a pleasant surprise!" Emily exclaims, her dark eyes seemingly attached to mine. Her slightly curly, auburn hair hangs loosely down her back, billowing in the wind. She smiles at me and I notice she has a perfect set of teeth. Although, everything about her seems perfect. My eyes do not stray from her for a moment.

"Yes it is Emily. I would much appreciate it if you called me Will." I feel my face grow hot at the same moment Emily's turns a deep shade of crimson.

"Oh, of course." She laughs. "Will it is, then."

We stand in silence for several moments and I rack my brain contemplating what to say next.

"So, uh…what brings you here to the docks this afternoon?" I just about slap my forehead. She smiles.

"Matt and I enjoy watching the ships arrive and depart. Matt loves the ocean and has a fascination with sailing. His father was a merchant sailor and…I'm sorry."

Knowing well how difficult it is to talk about someone loved and lost, I shake my head.

"No, it's fine. I know, it's hard." Her eyes glisten with tears.

"Thank you."

I smile reassuringly. Emily cocks her head to the side, looking at something behind me. Turning my head, I nearly howl at the sight before me. Amanda and Matt are seated on the dock, their bare feet in the water, shoes beside them. Immediately, I make to go over there but Emily catches my arm.

"Will, they will be fine," she promises but I ignore it.

"She could fall in or drown!" I spat out. Emily giggles.

"You are uptight aren't you?"

"Pardon me?"

She shakes her head.

"Just give them a few more minutes, they will be fine if we just keep an eye on them." I turn my entire body towards Amanda and stare. I hear Emily sigh before coming to stand next to me.

"With all due respect, you should give her a little more space. I think it would be good for Amanda as well as yourself."

"What?" I ask, a bit irritated.

"When they are infants it is okay to be overprotective but then they grow up. They begin to want to do new things and be given their own space to do it. It is hard, I know but…"

"No," I say interrupting her, "you don't know. You think I'm overprotective? Well, I don't think that you are protective enough. I care about my daughter and I love her."

"And I love and care for my son!" I've upset her now, and instantly feel shamed.

"I'm sorry." I offer, hoping to make amends. She stares at her feet, eventually answering me.

"It is all right. I apologize as well. I should not interfere with the way you decide to raise your daughter. She is a wonderful girl so you must be doing something right."

I smile down at her for she stands at least six inches shorter.

"Thank you…you have not done such an awful job yourself. Matt seems to be a fantastic kid."

I gesture towards Matt sitting on the dock and am thrilled to see Emily's face light up. Her lovely smile appears once again.

"Thank you, he truly is wonderful."

"He is," I agree, "very quiet isn't he?" Emily's smile fades.

"I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

"Oh no!" She assures me. "Matt is quiet. He has not yet spoken since the day his father passed away. His father's death was really hard on him, he was three." The young woman's voice became abnormally quiet.

Humiliated, I close my eyes and try to make myself disappear. My feet shift nervously creating a light crunching noise on the gravel. Finally, finding my voice, I speak,

"God, I…" But I am interrupted.

"No, please don't worry about it. It's no one's fault. All that any of us can do for Matt is encourage him to speak again. I have high hopes that he will, I just wish that it would happen soon." She smiles hopefully, eyes teary. I want so much to take her hand in mine but I resist.

I begin to wonder what I am even doing here, talking with Emily in this manner. What frightens me is that I care for her in a way that I only once cared for someone else. Elizabeth was my whole world, she meant everything to me, so how can I feel like this?

"Oh, Will, you'll have to forgive me for being so ill-mannered. I never inquired on your business here in town today."

"Oh, please," I laugh, "no more apologies, I think we have both had our handful of those this afternoon." We both laugh at the annotation. " Actually, I am on my way to w… Oh my god."

My heart begins to race, this time it is not because of Emily.

"I have to go to work!" I nearly shout. "I am very sorry." I call for Amanda who still sits on the dock next to Matt.

"That is all right, Will. And no more apologies, we have had enough of those for one afternoon, correct?"

I nod and provide an amused chortle. "Right, no apologies," I grin.

Amanda walks over with Matt. I immediately pick her up, and I start jogging away from the docks. "Good afternoon, Emily!" I shout, brandishing my hand back and forth in attempt to wave goodbye.

"Good afternoon, Will!" She calls back, laughing hysterically.

After one last glance at Emily, I turn a corner and race down a narrow alley (Amanda screaming with pleasure) towards J. Brown's, the blacksmith's.