Chapter Thirty-Six - Searching for Answers

The next morning, they set out to explore the surrounding area. Armed with a picnic basket prepared by Martha, they hiked through lush forests and meandered along babbling streams. "Race you to that big oak tree!" Amelia called out suddenly, taking off at a sprint. Alessandro chuckled, giving chase. "Oh, it's on, Hartwell!" They ran, laughing and dodging branches, until they collapsed at the base of the tree, breathless and giddy. As they caught their breath, Alessandro pulled Amelia close, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Thank you for this," he murmured. Amelia snuggled into his embrace. "For what?" "For reminding me that there's more to life than work and worry. For being my anchor in all this craziness." Amelia tilted her head up, meeting his gaze. "Always," she promised softly. They spent the afternoon having a heated debate about the best way to make s'mores ("You can't just set the marshmallow on fire, Alessandro! It's an art!"), skipping stones across a serene lake, and