The Burns We Carry (Lost and Found in Wallowpine #1)

by Marae Good

“Shay,” Brooks murmured, filling my line of sight. He dipped his head, the concern in his eyes carrying into his words. “What’s going on in your head right now?” I looked up into his eyes. They were so green and inviting, and for the first time I noticed the golden flecks within them. “Sorry.” I wiped at the edge of my eyes with my sleeve. “I think I’m just tired.” He nodded, but rather than suggesting we go back to camp or head home, he stood there. Waiting. I forced a smile, but it wobbled when I said, “Why’d you have to hurt them? They were probably so happy and beautiful. But you burned them, and now they’re ugly and ruined.” Brooks grinned as my voice cracked, but before I could call him a jerk, he said, “You’re so damn adorable. You know that?” He pulled me close without hesitation, wrapping me up tight in his arms. “They were beautiful,” he said, his chin resting atop my head. “But they weren’t growing.” I shuddered a breath against his chest, not understanding where this was going. “Not all fires are bad, sunshine. They can prevent wildfires, help clean up debris and invasive species that are hurting the forest. They rejuvenate the land and encourage growth that might have never happened. There are even seeds that are dependent on fire.” He pulled back, just enough to sneak his fingers beneath my chin and bring my gaze to his. “It might be hard to understand, looking at it straight on, hard to see it as anything but burned to hell. But I promise,” he whispered, tuc...