You and I have a connection that nothing, not on heaven or earth, or even hell, could ever break. If you want to talk to me, talk to me. I’ll hear you…

Fine.” He smirks at me. “Nice to meet you, Carrots,” he says, looking directly at my hair. “Oh, I mean Clara.”
My face flames.
“Same to you, Rusty,” I shoot back, but he’s already striding away.

His name is Christian,” he calls back. “Can you believe that? We came all this way
so Clara could save a guy named Christian.”
“I’m aware of the irony.

I’ve learned that sometimes, when you’re afraid but you keep on moving forward, that’s the biggest kind of courage there is.

Tucker strokes my hair. There's something so tender about the gesture. It might as well have been him whispering I love you.

How did you do that?”
I shrug. “I click my heels three times and say, ‘There’s no place like home.’”
“Uh-huh. So … you think this is your home? My barn? His tone is playful, but the look he’s giving me is dead serious. A question.
“Haven’t you guessed by now?” I say, my heart hammering. “My home is you.