The Way You Stayed By Daniel Pickett She came home to start over. She never expected to find something worth staying for. After a devastating divorce shatters the life she thought she had, Emma Carter returns to her small hometown with nothing but a broken heart and her grandmother's worn-down house. Starting over at thirty-four wasn't part of the plan—but neither was discovering that the past she ran from isn't finished with her yet. Jake Reynolds never left. Steady, dependable, and quietly guarded, Jake has built a life rooted in loyalty and hard-earned strength. Seeing Emma again stirs feelings he buried years ago—but this time, he isn't willing to let her slip away. As old memories turn into something deeper, Emma begins to rebuild—not just her home, but herself. But when her ex-husband refuses to let go, crossing lines that quickly turn dangerous, Emma is forced to face the truth she's been avoiding: Some people don't walk away quietly. And some love stories aren't about falling—they're about choosing to stay. In a town where everyone knows your name—and your past—Emma must decide what she's willing to fight for… and who she's ready to trust. Because this time, love isn't about perfection. It's about finding someone who stays.