Josiah found the sound of leaves crunching beneath his feet a comfort, even though Crockett’s absence was never more apparent than when Josiah was in the woods. When he could hear nothing but the barking of squirrels overhead and birdsong all around, he started to feel the tension leave his body. If he could build…

“Thanks for meeting me,” Brady’s voice sounded tired. “Of course,” Titus answered, taking a sip of the beer the waitress had just set in front of him. “What’s going on?” “I just wanted to talk.” Brady shrugged, tasting his own drink. “It’s been a while, Man.” “It really has,” Titus agreed. “Too long. Knoxville is…

Sitting on a bench beside the water, Lexi felt very self-conscious. When Brittany asked to meet her at the park, her initial reaction was to say no. After a couple days, she decided to say yes. She wanted to know what Brittany had to say. Everything about it felt strange and awkward, though. She felt…

Mary jerked awake, disoriented for a moment as she tried to determine what had awakened her. Dim light coming through the front windows let her know she had slept most of the afternoon in her chair. The pain in her neck let her know that was a bad idea. “Miss Mary?” The voice accompanying the…

“Anybody home?” Josiah considered staying quiet. He had heard the tires crunching the gravel in his driveway, and he heard the knock on his front door. He wasn’t in the mood for company. He thought it was probably his mom checking on him until he heard the unmistakable voice of Ezra Shepherd calling out. “Out…

“What’s wrong with you?” Brittany punched her brother in the shoulder as she stepped past his knees and plopped down on the couch beside him. “Nothing,” Brady murmured, not looking up from his phone. “Right.” Brady could almost hear his sister’s eyes rolling. He was not in the mood to deal with her sarcasm. She…

The sound of a truck door slamming shut alerted Lexi to Brady’s arrival. She hurriedly checked her appearance in the mirror. Tight jeans and a fitted, turquoise sweater that set off her blue eyes perfectly was her go-to, casual date outfit. She looked great, and she knew it. Her long, black hair swung loose against…

The sheets bunched against Josiah’s bare back felt slick and unfamiliar. As he opened his eyes, he felt a wave of nausea wash over him. These weren’t his sheets. This wasn’t his bed. He glanced over his shoulder to see Bethany still asleep, curled around her pillow, her dark hair obscuring her face. He eased…

“And who are you?” Johnny Bowers asked with a smile. “You know who I am.” Brady’s smile faltered. “Don’t you?” Johnny’s smile broadened as he tilted his head to the side, “Sure I do.” “Dad?” Brady felt panic rise in his throat. “Do you know who I am?” “You’re Brady,” Johnny said with a hint…