When 17-year-old Rune returns to Blossom Grove, he’s desperate to know why Poppy—the girl he loved and who promised to wait—suddenly stopped talking to him. Her silence broke his heart. But when he finally learns the truth, Rune realizes the pain he’s felt is nothing compared to what’s coming next. What secret could hurt more than goodbye?
“Mm?” “Have I been enough for you too?” The gruff tone of Rune’s voice caused my heart to break, but I nodded softly. “More than anything,” I confirmed and, with a smile, added just for him, “You’ve been as special as special can be.” Rune sucked in a breath at my response. As the sun…
His dark-blond eyebrows furrowed, but he nodded in agreement. As the song ended, he pulled me in for a kiss. His lips shook slightly against mine. Feeling overcome with emotion too, I allowed myself a solitary tear, before taking a deep breath and shooing it away. As Rune withdrew, I whispered, “Kiss nine hundred and…
“All that’s left are our kisses,” I finished for him. I felt him nod against me. “Rune?” I said, needing him to hear me. “Ja?” Closing my eyes, I lifted my hand to my lips. “Remember, the one thousandth kiss is to be when I go home.” Rune tensed against me. Holding his arm tighter…
I had to. It was my final thank-you for all the love she’d given me. It was the only gift I could give. Poppy Two weeks later I sat in my chair, in my mama’s bathroom, as my mama coated my lashes with mascara. I watched her like I’d never watched her before. She smiled.…
A crooked smile pulled on his mouth. “I told you I would,” he replied. Rune took my hand and, as gently as he could, pushed my corsage onto my wrist. I ran my hand over the blossom leaves. I couldn’t help but smile. Looking up into Rune’s blue eyes, I asked, “Is this real?” Leaning…
Rune gave a curt nod. “And you let him?” I persisted, noticing that stubborn tilt of his chin. My heart raced as I waited for the answer. Rune didn’t know that my secret wish was that he would mend his relationship with his pappa. He’d need him soon. And his pappa loved him. It was…
Poppy frowned, until I moved out of the way. When I did, I heard her sharp intake of breath. When I looked at her face, I saw the orange rays kissing her skin. I saw her eyes close, then open again, as a smile pulled on her lips. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. I lay on…
One of her wishes come true. As I entered the room, Poppy’s eyes blinked open and a smile graced her lips. “The bed was cold without you,” she said and ran her hand over the side where I usually lay. “I had to get something for you,” I said, sitting down on the bed. Leaning…
And I knew. I knew she was staying until I was ready to let her go. “Rune?” Poppy’s voice pulled me around. Leaning back against the tree, I lifted Poppy to lie over my legs so I could see her. So I could commit to memory every single second of this day. “Ja?” I answered…
My heart sank as Jorie gazed sadly at her best friend. “I don’t know,” I replied. “She wanted to, so badly, but it’s still six weeks out.” I shrugged. “The doctors just don’t know.” I turned to look at Jorie. “It was one of her last wishes. To go to her senior prom.” I swallowed…