Ashley “Buck” Buchanan moved back home to take care of his sick mother when he was 22. That was the first time he met Pippin, the neglected 6-year-old boy next door. Fifteen years later, Buck, a caretaker by nature, offers up his couch for Pippin, who needs a break from his mom and a quiet place to sleep.<br><br>Pippin Olander is a ray of sunshine despite his emotionally lacking upbringing and works hard to make a better life for himself. Even though he’s fiercely self-sufficient, he learns to accept help from Buck, his rock and the only steady presence in his life.<br><br>Their friendship deepens and grows into something more as they spend time together. But when other people try to throw a wrench in the works, when Pippin’s independence is triggered, can Buck and Pippin trust in the love they’ve found?

His Steady Heart

For a while, we watch the movie, but I focus more on his weight on top of me, his warm body against mine. He feels so right, as though this is where he’s meant to be. He fills a hole in my life that’s always been empty until now.


His body fits perfectly with mine and even though he’s thin, he’s solid. He may look like a waif, but he sure doesn’t feel like one.


Pippin scoots down a few more inches until he can press his ear against my chest, right over my heart. He rises and falls with my every breath, and I let my hands wander up his back until one hand is resting on the nape of his neck and the other carding through his soft hair.


“Your heart is so steady,” he says. “Just like you.”


He doesn’t move from the spot, and when the movie ends, he asks me to put on another one. I choose one at random—one of the newer Star Warsmovies I haven’t seen.


Chapter 24