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?
I shook off my hands when they began to tremble. I inhaled slowly, deeply, the cold air reminding me of where I was. The uneven earth beneath my feet crunched on the icy mud. I needed to walk. To move. To cast off this gutting feeling that was closing in. I almost fell to my…
My head was lowered in embarrassment. But then I felt Cael’s arm tense underneath mine, a sharp breath escaping his lips. I looked up. I exhaled a quick breath too at the sight before me—the view that had captured Cael’s attention. A green patchwork quilt of English countryside stretched before us. Trees of all shades…
didn’t. I felt her presence behind me like that of an angel—comforting, caring, calming. But I didn’t want that. I wanted to sear, wanted to stay incinerated. I waited a few seconds, then couldn’t help but look behind me. I caught her retreating to the lounge where the others waited, head slightly bowed. She’d clearly…
“So, what are your impressions of our first stop?” Mia said, smiling. As far as therapists went, Mia and Leo seemed okay. But I didn’t want or need therapists trying to dig into my psyche and help me. I just wanted to be left alone. At least Mia and Leo didn’t seem pushy—not yet. In…
“We have everything you will need for hiking,” Mia said. “So we are giving you the rest of this evening to yourself. Dinner is at seven. Then it’s an early start tomorrow. For now, get settled. Unpack. Hang out, get to know each other. And we’ll see you soon.” Mia and Leo left the room,…
“Everyone ready?” Gordon asked. I nodded like everyone else, and then we began our ascent up a steep set of jagged stone steps. After I climbed just a few, my thighs began to burn. Gordon raced up them like he had been here a million times—he probably had. Mia headed up the group, Leo pulling…
RE YOU ALL PACKED?” I looked up from where I was sitting on the edge of the hotel bed, lost in thought. Ida stood before me, her long, dark hair down in soft waves and a dimpled smile on her pretty face. Mama and Daddy had brought me to New York to catch the flight…
I shook my head at my little sister as we got up from the bed and grabbed my jacket and luggage. I ignored the trembling of my hands and the butterflies swooping in my stomach. Ida threaded her arm through mine, and we headed out into the hallway. Mama and Daddy were waiting. Mama stepped…
As we began walking, Cael and Dylan stood on either side of me like protective sentinels. Checking that I had my carry-on bag, I reached inside and brushed my fingers over the notebook I carried everywhere. I hoped Daddy was right. I hoped that Poppy would be with me on this trip, walking by my…
I vibrated on the spot, searing heat rushing through me like I was made of lava. Without glancing at my mom, I fled for the door, slamming it on my way out of the house. I threw myself into my Jeep. My breath turned to white mist as it met the frigid cold. Snow lay…