Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 139259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 696(@200wpm)___ 557(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 696(@200wpm)___ 557(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
I take a shaky breath, his words melting the edges of my fear. Slowly, I nod. “Okay.”
“Okay,” he says, his smile widening. “Close your eyes.”
I do, squeezing them shut as I feel his hands slide down to my waist.
“Good,” he says. “Now let me guide you.”
With my eyes closed, my other senses kick up a notch. I’m hyperaware of his presence as he steadies me and skates us around the rink. It feels as if the world centers around us, and we are the only people.
It’s him.
His laughter.
His voice.
His strength.
He’s shifted something in me.
The ice feels smooth and steady as Hudson guides me around, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I let go.
“You’re doing great,” Hudson says, his voice filled with pride.
I smile, the edges of my fear melting away.
“I have one more thing I want to try?” he asks, his tone teasing.
I open my eyes, narrowing them at him. “Evasive much? What does that even mean?”
Before I can get an answer, he bends slightly, his hands sliding down to my legs as he lifts me effortlessly into the air.
“What the hell?” My hands fly to his shoulders.
“Relax.” He spins us in a slow circle. For a second, I feel dizzy, maybe from the movement or maybe from nerves, but the more we move, the more my mind lets go. “I’ve got you.”
I feel high off life.
The world blurs around me, the motion making me feel weightless. As my inhibitions fade away, something shifts inside me.
Peace. I feel at peace.
For the first time in years, I feel free. Free from the fear, the anxiety, from everything I have held in my chest for so long.
A few minutes later, Hudson sets me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist as I find my balance again.
My heart races, but not from fear. From hope. Maybe he’s right. I can do this.
“See?” he says, his voice soft. “Told you that you could do it.”
I look up at him.
My breath catches at the way he’s looking at me—like I’m the only thing in the world that matters.
And that’s when it hits me.
I’m falling for him.
Hard and fast and against every ounce of logic I have left.
But standing here, on this ice, in his arms, I can’t bring myself to care.
76
Molly
Cassidy: Okay, spill. Is the rumor true? Are you at a farm?
Josie: Like . . . an actual farm? With cows and chickens? And dirt? Send a mushroom emoji if you’re in trouble and need rescuing.
Molly: Yes, there are cows, and chickens, and dirt. And no, I don’t need rescuing. Yet.
Cassidy: Yet?!!!! What are you even doing out there?
Molly: Mostly trying not to get eaten alive by mosquitoes.
Josie: OMG. How did this happen? Were you kidnapped?
Cassidy: Hudson. It’s Hudson, isn’t it? You’re being held hostage by that man.
Molly: I am not being held hostage. I’m fine.
Cassidy: So you’re willingly on a farm? Molly, I’ve known you long enough to know that willingly and farm do not belong in the same sentence for you.
Molly: I am here of my own free will. Mostly.
Josie: What does that even mean?!
Molly: Look, it’s not that bad. Hudson’s parents are really nice.
Cassidy: This is worse than I thought. You’re being charmed by the Wilde family. That’s how they get you! First, they’re nice. Then they’re feeding you pie. And before you know it, you’re churning butter.
Josie: 😂 I’m picturing Molly in a bonnet.
Molly: There are NO bonnets.
Cassidy: Yet.
Josie: So what do you even do on this farm all day?
Molly: Today, I helped gather chicken eggs with his mom.
Cassidy: You?? Chickens??? The same Molly Sinclair who once screamed because a pigeon flew too close to her face?
Molly: It startled me, okay?! And these chickens were fine. Mostly.
Josie: There’s that “mostly” again . . .
Cassidy: Be honest, do you have to fight for your life out there?
Molly: No, but tomorrow might be worse. Hudson’s taking me horseback riding.
Josie: Wait, you’re getting on a horse?
Cassidy: Like willingly?
Molly: He talked me into it.
Josie: Do you even know how to ride a horse?
Molly: No. Absolutely not.
Cassidy: Molly.
Molly: I know! It’s a terrible idea.
Josie: Girl, horses are huge. Do you even have the right clothes for this?
Molly: Hudson said he’d “take care of it,” whatever that means.
Cassidy: Oh no. That man is going to put you in cowboy boots and a hat, isn’t he?
Molly: If he tries, I’m walking back to Redville.
Josie: Please send pictures. I’m begging.
Cassidy: Seconded. I need to see this. For science.
Molly: You two are the worst.
Cassidy: Correction: We’re supportive friends. Now, tell us—how scared are you?
Molly: Terrified. I don’t even know how to sit on a horse. What if I fall? Or the horse doesn’t like me? Or it runs off into the woods and I’m stuck foraging for food forever?
Josie: The horse isn’t going to run off into the woods.