Harriet had just taken one more step when she heard footsteps—a light shuffle, almost hesitant, echoing softly against the dry earth. Her heart leapt with a mix of hope and nervousness. She lifted her gaze quickly, tension coiled in her shoulders, and froze.
A figure emerged from the edge of the modest home, stepping into the sunlight that filtered down in gold-tinted beams through the trees. It was Mari, wearing a smile so radiant and full of ease that it chased away the shadows clinging to Harriet's chest. Relief struck Harriet like a sudden exhale of air she'd been holding in far too long. Her heart slowed.
Beyond relieved, she let her stiff shoulders drop. The worry that had weighed heavy on her spine seemed to lift and scatter like leaves in the wind.
Harriet breathed out a long, deep sigh, one hand resting over her chest. Her fingers trembled slightly from the release of tension.
