7

By the time morning rolled around, the storm had cleared, and the sun was shining brightly. The ground was still wet, the dirt still soft like mud, but the birds were chirping, and the skies were clear. She'd managed to get ahold of the rental company, who promised to take care of her crashed car while delivering a replacement. She cringed at the thought of how much this would cost her and her insurance rates.

"Did you want another cup of coffee?" Emmett asked, gesturing to her now empty mug.

Bella laughed softly. "No, thank you. Three is my limit."

"Lightweight," he teased, but grabbed the mug and carried it into the kitchen.

Bella finished putting on her shoes and stood, her body still aching from the accident the day before.

"There's no rush, you know?" When Bella turned toward the kitchen, she saw him leaning against the doorframe to the kitchen. "Houston will still be there tomorrow. Give the roads another day to dry."

"I . . ." Bella shook her head. "I have to go. Work won't wait another day, I'm afraid."

"Can I give you some advice?"

"Can I stop you?" she teased. But when he didn't laugh or even crack a smile, she sighed. "What advice do you have for me?"

"Your job is important to you, I understand that. You've worked hard to get where you are, and you should be proud of all that you've accomplished."

"Thank you," she murmured. "But that's not your advice, is it?"

Emmett smiled. "No, ma'am. You're going to miss a lot of life if you continue to be so focused on your career. I don't know what all's happened between you and your husband—it ain't my business. But, honey, you still love him. You can't deny it because I can see it in your eyes."

"It's not about loving him anymore," she groused. "It's about trusting him. He betrayed me. How can I trust him again?"

"I don't know, honey. I don't have all the answers. There are so many things I wish I could tell my wife. What I wouldn't give to hold her in my arms again, to kiss her, to love her, but I can't. So, now, I could wallow in self-pity or live for her. I choose the latter because I know she'd kick my ass if I let my anger get the better of me."

"Is that what you think I'm doing? Letting my anger get the best of me?"

Emmett nodded. "I'm not saying you have to forgive him immediately. I'm not saying you don't have the right to be hurt and angry — you do. He made a vow, and he broke it. But my daddy told me that marriage isn't something you throw away just because it gets hard. All I ask is that you think real seriously about how you feel about your husband before you make a decision you might regret."

"I just don't know what to do anymore," Bella whimpered, her emotions getting the best of her. "I love him. I've loved him half my life. But every time I look at him, all I see is him with her in his arms. How can I stay with a man who'd rather touch a stranger than me?"

"I don't know, honey," Emmett confessed. "I just don't know."

"Yeah, well, me either. I'll think about what you said, but . . . I'm afraid it's too late."

"It's not too late until you decide it to be. Now, come on. I'll give you a ride into town. They should have your replacement car waiting for you by the time we get there."

The representative from the rental agency was waiting for them outside the Dairy Queen when Emmett pulled his truck into the nearly empty parking lot. The four miles from Emmett's house into Lefors had been bumpy. The roads were beyond muddy and slick, and as they passed Bella's rented Prius, she cringed when she saw the damage caused when the car rolled over. The sides were dented, and the roof was caved in. It was a miracle she managed to survive, but then again, Emmett had been there for her, hadn't he?

He saved her life.

Emmett hopped from his truck and rushed around to the passenger side, helping Bella out. Since she didn't have any luggage, which meant no clean clothes, he'd given her one of his T-shirts and a pair of sweats that were too big. But they'd do until she could stop and buy something that fit.

"Mrs. Cullen?" the rental agent asked, holding his hand out to her. "I'm Seth."

"Hello," she murmured.

"I have everything ready for you," Seth said, holding out a manila envelope. "The keys are inside the envelope. I've arranged for a tow truck to pick up the Prius and haul it back to Amarillo. Roads have cleared from here to Houston, so hopefully, you won't have any trouble. If you do, please just give us a call, and we'll get you taken care of."

"Thank you."

Bella watched as Seth walked over to another car and slid into the passenger seat. As the car pulled out of the parking spot and headed onto the highway, she slipped the keys to her new rental — a heavy-duty Ford pickup — into the palm of her hand and turned back to Emmett.

"Well, guess I should be going."

"Be safe. I've programed my number in your phone, so call and let me know you've gotten there safe. Promise?"

Bella smiled. "I promise." Then, she leaned over and hugged him. "Thank you for saving my life, for letting me sleep in your bed, and mostly, for letting me blabber on."

Emmett wrapped his arms around her, his lips finding purchase on the top of her head. "It's been a pleasure to know you, Bella. A true pleasure."

Tears welled up in Bella's eyes as she climbed into her rented truck, buckled her seatbelt, and shoved the key into the ignition. With one last look back at Emmett, she turned the key, shifted into reverse, and backed out of the spot. The road before her was clear and dry; the sky was as blue as a robin's egg. Houston lay in wait in front of her, but a feeling of regret filled Bella's heart, and once more, Edward crossed her mind.

Was she ready to say goodbye?

Thank you for all the AMAZING reviews! And thanks to Sunflower Fran for being my amazing beta.