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 scrhat 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
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