Page 157 of The Apple Tree

“Shut up.” Gabby laughed, and so did I.

“Do you have room for me?” I asked.

“Of course. We have a spare bedroom. We’ll help you find a job. You’re going to love Nashville.”

“Mom and Dad won’t be happy,” Gabby said.

“They’re never happy,” Sarah said.

“When?” I asked.

“We’re going to stay with Isaac’s parents over New Year’s, but after that, we can come back here and help you get packed and moved.”

I twisted my lips.

“You’re supposed to squeal and jump up and down. You’re moving out of Devil’s Head. Isn’t it your dream?”

My dream wasn’t a place. It was a person.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK - PRETTY IN PINK, “IF YOU LEAVE”

Kyle

There wasa knock at the door, and Clifford barked as Josh ran to open it.

“It’s Eve!”

I felt that familiar pain in my chest—an intense longing for her.

Melinda broke my ability to trust in love. She crippled my intuition.

I was willing to risk my heart, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to risk Josh’s. One day, he would know that Melinda didn’t stay, and what if I took a chance on Eve, and she didn’t stay?

“Merry Christmas, my little munchkin.”

Just the sound of her voice made everything bleed. I stayed in the living room, taking a few extra seconds to find a breath and a smile that didn’t look as painful as it felt.

“This is my big sister, Sarah,” she said as I stood and ran a hand through my hair.

“Where’s your dad?” Gabby asked.

“In here.” Josh ran into the living room.

“Clifford, you’ve already gotten bigger on me.” Eve’s voice got closer.

My heart pounded a little harder.

“Hey, Mr. Collins.” Gabby smiled.

I grinned. “You can call me Kyle. I’m not teaching math today.”

“This is our sister, Sarah,” she said.

“Nice to meet you.” I offered my hand to the blonde with big blue eyes and a kind smile.

“You too.”

---