Chapter 4 — Colette’s Warm Welcome

Emma

The scent of fresh-baked bread and lavender greeted Emma as she pushed open the heavy oak door of the inn. A small brass bell above the frame jingled, its chime delicate yet insistent. She stepped into a cozy, dimly lit space, the kind of room that seemed to exhale comfort and history. Wooden beams lined the walls, their surfaces nicked and worn from decades of stories told and secrets kept. A fire crackled in the large stone hearth at the far end, its warmth chasing away the chill that had seeped into her bones during the long walk from the village square. The air was fragrant with herbs and the faint smokiness of the fire, creating an atmosphere that felt both grounding and disarming.