Cody: What are you doing after work tonight?
Carli: No plans … yet.
Cody: Want to meet me somewhere?
Carli: Short answer: yes.
Cody: Let’s not try to meet on the farm or the ranch. Too many eyes. Too many nosy siblings.
Carli: You think?
I smile. I wish she were right here in the cab with me so she could see the effect she’s having.
Cody: I know a place. Do you know the old Waddell property?
Carli: Off Chigger Ridge?
Cody: Yep. That’s the one. I’ll share my location. What time’s good?
Carli: I should check in with Jace and Dad to see if they need me. How about seven to be safe?
Cody: I’ll be there.
Carli: You’ve got me sneaking around in the dark of night.
Cody: Sorry about that.
Carli: I don’t mind. I’ll see you at seven.
I almost sayI can’t wait. But I restrain myself.
Cody: See you then.
Chapter 15
Carli
All human beings have three lives:
public, private, and secret.
— Gabriel García Márquez
The only lightilluminating the dark, quiet roads out this side of town comes from my headlights and the glow of the moon. I pull right and drive down what used to be a farm access road, the bumpy terrain jostling my truck in an uneven rhythm.
Cody’s truck is pulled off in a clearing to the left, his low beams aimed out toward the unplowed field. He’s leaning on the door, looking up at the countless stars overhead. His head drops and he gazes at me through my windshield, his crooked smile tugging at me with unspoken promises.
The strangeness of this moment lands in my body—years of almosts, and now he’s here, looking at me like there’s no more doubt. I still can’t believe this is real.
My eyes never leave his. I depress the emergency brake and kill the engine.
Then I open my door and hop down.
The air is cool, pressing through my flannel shirt and the T-shirt underneath.
“Hey,” Cody says, pushing off the side of his truck and walking in my direction.
“Hey.”
