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

“I know a great thrift store,” I say, trying to come up with a way of helping him other than giving him all my stuff or falling to my knees and begging him to move in with me. “The place where I bought your books. They have all sorts of stuff, and I bet you can find most of what you need there.”


“As long as you don’t need fancy matching china, you’ll be all right. I can take you this weekend, if you like.”


“I’d like that,” he says and flashes me a smile.


We go on Saturday, after lunch, and he’s got a long list of things he needs, but when we get there, his heart isn’t in it. He wanders the store aimlessly, looking at things but not really seeing them.


I nudge his shoulder. “Maybe you’ll have better luck if you check your list?”


Chapter 30