Occasionally, a tourist's vehicle would pass by on the winding mountain road. Further up, the warm glow from a few scattered B&Bs pierced through the darkness, bringing a sense of comfort and safety to the isolated terrain.
"What's that smell? It smells like apples!" Norah took a few steps forward and turned back with a bright smile. "There are apple trees over there!"
Xavier frowned. "Don't wander off. We need to get going."
"I'm just going to grab one!" Norah said, already hurrying toward the trees.
It was her first time seeing apples actually growing on a tree. Guided by the moonlight, she picked the biggest one she could find and reached out to grab a second one for Xavier.
The moment her fingers wrapped around the fruit, a harsh voice cut through the night. "Who's stealing my apples? Freeze right there!"
The beam of a flashlight cut wildly through the darkness, the heavy footsteps approaching fast. Norah froze in terror. She had assumed the trees were wild; she never imagined they belonged to someone.
She stood her ground, intending to explain the misunderstanding to the owner. But as the man's shouts grew louder, a massive dog broke away from him, charging toward her like a foul-smelling missile.
Every hair on Norah's body stood on end. She spun around and sprinted.
"Mr. Flemmings!"
"Woof! Woof woof!"
The black dog was almost waist-high and terrifyingly fast. Seeing her run only triggered its predatory instincts, making it lunge at her with even more ferocity.
Clutching the two apples to her chest, Norah ran toward Xavier with everything she had. Hearing the commotion, Xavier's expression shifted, and he sprinted toward her.
As soon as they met, Norah jumped, throwing her legs around his waist and locking her arms tightly around his neck, shaking uncontrollably.
The orchard dog lunged right behind her. Without missing a beat, Xavier swung his leg and kicked the hundred-pound beast out of the air.
The black dog slammed into the dirt with a heavy thud, letting out a pained yelp. It struggled to its feet, all of its previous viciousness gone, backing far away and refusing to come any closer.
The orchard owner finally arrived, panting heavily. He pointed aggressively at the two of them, his face twisted in anger. "You two stealing my apples?"

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Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Hoping Manly have his own love story here, atleast a short one...
Emily has finally stood up for herself. Now with Charlie's support, her mother and sister in law will be as quiet as church mice....
Another epic ten updates... this is great! I'm sooo enjoying this. Thank you for the updates....
Thank you so much for the continuous updates......
This was soooooo sooooo good! I loved it! Thank you for the updates....
Then Melanie and Noreen will both understand that Emily is his wife, who he chooses and cares to be with. We’ve already had so much drama when Emily took off for three years hiding her pregnancy from Charlie. Emily has already confessed that the only man she loves is Kya father, which Charlie is. Now he needs to boldly claim the only woman he loves is Emily…I just had to add my two cents (he he he)....
Now Charlie needs to take Emily to the marriage office like Gabriel did with Sylvia . Reassure her that he will not take for granted. Thank you for the updates. I’m loving it....
May we please have updates. Thank you....
Wow.. finally they're married now. I thought there will be another separation....
Thank you for the updates of Emily and Charlie. It seem that Orval may knows of Amelia and may be helping Emily get around her,...