Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 534

Emma and her dance troupe spent several days in workshops with local art students. When the exchange program concluded, the undergraduate dancers had to return for their classes, leaving Emma to travel with her mentor, Cindra, and a few of her mentor’s other students and friends. Their new mission was to visit several island villages to research traditional Irish dance.

In the days that followed, even during their other small performances, Theodore never appeared again. He must have moved on, she thought. She wondered where Bart’s journey had taken him next, and where Theodore was now.

Their destination was a village nestled between the mountains and the sea, a place so remote Emma had never heard of it. She felt a flicker of apprehension as she stepped onto the island. It was sunset, and the entire village was bathed in a warm, orange glow. The houses, built from pink granite, made her feel as though she had walked into a fairytale. The village had only one entrance, and as they strolled between the quaint houses, the profound silence made it feel completely cut off from the rest of the world.

Accommodations were mostly small, family-run B&Bs. Their group split up, with Emma, Cindra, her mentor, and one of the male students staying together in one home.

“They have a session here every week,” their mentor explained. “You’ll see some of the best dancers in the region performing impromptu. But tonight, let's just go check out the scene.”

Emma and Cindra were thrilled at the prospect of seeing such authentic, raw dancing. They dropped off their luggage, had a quick bite to eat, and followed their mentor to a pub renowned for its traditional music.

The sky was still a dusky blue when they arrived. They found a table and each ordered a pint of the local stout. Emma rarely drank, but the atmosphere was infectious, and it felt right. She took a sip and found it surprisingly good.

As they settled in to wait, she saw him. Before any dancers took the floor, the last person she expected to see walked through the door.

Theodore. And with him, Anna.

Emma had never seen Theodore dressed like this. It was early winter, and he was bundled up in a vintage, distressed leather jacket, faded jeans, and worn leather boots. The whole look gave him a rugged, untamed air, as if he should smell of pine and cigar smoke.

The pub was small and not yet crowded, making Emma and Cindra, clearly outsiders, stand out. Theodore spotted her the moment he walked in.

After his initial burst of excitement, Theodore seemed to realize he might be intruding. He politely greeted Emma’s mentor before retreating with Anna to their own table.

Cindra, however, recognized them instantly. “Hey, isn’t that the couple who owned the bakery?”

“Yes… it is.”

“Wow. They closed up shop to travel the world together, and they even end up in a place like this. How impulsive and romantic,” Cindra sighed wistfully.