Keeping Kasey

Chapter One: The Unexpected Visitor

The sun had barely risen over the sleepy town of Maplewood, casting a warm golden glow on the dew-kissed grass. Inside a quaint cottage at the end of Elm Street, Emma Lawson was already at work. She moved rhythmically between her kitchen and the small dining room, her mind occupied with thoughts of the day ahead. The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of cinnamon wafting from the cinnamon rolls she had mixed just the night before.

Emma had lived in this cottage for nearly a decade. It wasn’t large, but its nooks and crannies held memories of laughter and love. The walls were adorned with photos—her family smiling together at summer picnics, friends gathered around the dining table, all enjoying good food and good company. Today, she planned to host her monthly brunch for her closest friends. The table would be set with a colorful array of dishes, each one a reflection of her passion for cooking.