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

“Yeah, but Richard isn’t exactly a warm person either. I don’t know, Ashley, maybe I’ll be happy about it tomorrow, but I haven’t got it in me today.”


He cuddles closer, burying his nose in my shoulder and inhales. My hands wander along with my thoughts, until I realized what else he said. I frown. “Did you say they’ve sold the house?”


“Well you know…” He draws a deep breath and pitches his voice in an eerie imitation of his mom. “I thought you’d moved out already, Pip.”


“I don’t know. Maybe she was trying to be funny?” But he doesn’t sound like he believes it. His voice is weary and resigned and I don’t blame him. That’s a lot to take in in a day.


I furrow my eyebrows. “I haven’t seen a ‘for sale’ sign?”


“Apparently some friend of Richard’s bought it. They wanted to get rid of it quickly and move on with their lives.”


Chapter 28