tary boots hitting the dirt pul

the rough, scratchy canvas of a jacket. Her nose was filled wit

shot down the side of her neck. A low, raspy gro

beneath her ha

he dirt path. He didn't turn his h

ead warned her that in this conservative, tight-knit town of the 1970s, a

g. She needed to break it. She swallowed hard, he

r voice weak and trembli

Ernest's back insta

rsh, mocking scoff v

. It sounded exactly like the arrogant, spoiled rich girl looking down her nos

g, the arm supporting her legs

pletely. She slid off his b

. The soft ground saved her from breaking any bones, but the sheer

tall frame blocking out the sun. His dark e

His voice was like coarse sandpaper scr

hat she wasn't trying to insult him, that she genuinely just wan

is back on her and walked away, his long strides eating up the

uch intense hatred and drop her like garbage? The chaotic thoughts made her chest tight and her breathing shallow. But as the foreign memories continue

rk of the oak tree and closed her eyes, tryin

r of an engine shattered

r. An old, beat-up but sturdy Ford pickup truck slammed on its brakes on the dirt

rce, her oldest brother, jumped out. His face was

the truck bed. His knuckles were white as he gripped a sharp, heavy

Oh my god, we found her! We thought a bear dragged y

ht beside her. His large, calloused hands shook as he reached out, hovering ov

is veins popped. He spun around, scanning the empty woods. "Who did this

eir panic was raw and real. A sudden, intense heat bloomed in her chest.

bed Arthur's thick, rough finger. "I fell..." she w

nder her and lifted her from the grass. He held her agai

ed, his eyes darting at every shadow in the

enger side. He stripped off his plaid flannel shirt and balled

e. Gisele closed her eyes as the truck bounced over the dirt roa