Page 65 of To Catch a Firefly

“And Ellis?” Danil asks, mind going to the same place as mine. “He’s there with you?”

“He is.”

“Does that mean you two talked?” he asks.

“We did.”

A pause. “Are you going to make me beg for it?”

I refrain from making a joke. “We’re…good,” I say, gaze still trained on Ellis. He’s nodding at one of the men who found us as the crew packs up, presumably to go help others in town. “We kissed.”And such.

Danil hums. It’s a happy sound. “And now?”

A slow smile spreads over my face as I remember the press of Ellis’s lips against mine. “And now… We start something new.”

Chapter 23

Ellis

“Do you boys need a ride?” one of our rescuers asks, an older man I don’t know.

I shake my head, pointing to the familiar van I see approaching down the dirt road. It pulls onto the grass in front of the destroyed farmhouse, coming to an abrupt stop.

“All right, then,” he says, giving my shoulder a pat. “You two take care. You got lucky today.”

As if I don’t know that. I give him a nod as Lucky’s dad bursts from the driver’s side door of the van. Lucky is putting his phone in his pocket when he notices his dad running his way. His face crumples, just a little, and then he’s being pulled into a tight embrace. Mr. Buchanan hugs his son with all his might, lips moving incessantly, and Lucky’s back heaves.

Throat tight, I make my way toward the van. Mrs. Buchanan is helping my mom from the back, and I move that way quickly, offering my hand.

“Ellis,” my mom says, voice shaking. As soon as her feet are on the ground, she wraps her arms around me. I have to support her weight with the way her legs are wobbling, but I don’t mind.

Lucky’s mom gives me a soft, watery-eyed smile before rounding the vehicle toward her son.

“I was so worried about you, baby,” my mom says, pulling back some. Her hand lands on my cheek, trembling, and her eyes check me over. I probably look like a mess. Her eyes shift to the house next, and she swallows harshly. “Good God.”

“Okay,” I assure her, nodding back at the van. “Home?”

My mom nods, and I look over the front of the vehicle, seeing Lucky approach with his parents. With one last glance at the toppled remains of the farmhouse that saved our lives, I guide my mom into the back of the van and follow. Lucky squeezes in beside me, his parents sit up front, and without a word, Mr. Buchanan pulls out onto the road.

We stop at Lucky’s rental first, and he retrieves his bag from the back. Thankfully, the car wasn’t damaged beyond a few minor scratches, but Lucky agrees to come back for it tomorrow. The absence of noise is heavy inside the vehicle as we drive home, but no one breaks the silence. Lucky grabs my hand, though, squeezing gently and giving me a soft smile. If my mom notices, she doesn’t say a word.

By unspoken agreement, we all file into the Buchanans’ house when we arrive back. I help my mom, settling her on the couch as Mrs. Buchanan makes tea. Lucky’s dad gives Lucky another hug before begrudgingly letting him go, and much to my surprise, he asks if he can hug me, too. I agree, and his arms around me are more comforting than I expect. Once we’re settled with steaming beverages in front of us, Lucky recounts the tale from beside me. More than once, a set of eyes travel to the hands we have clasped together, but none of our parents ask,and Lucky doesn’t mention it. Mrs. Buchanan is crying by the end.

“We didn’t even know you were here,” she says through her tears. “We were already so worried about Ellis, but then we got your texts hours after the storm passed, and—”

She covers her eyes, and Lucky scoots off the couch to console her.

“I’m sorry,” he says gently, his arm around her shoulders.

She shakes her head. “No, it’s not your fault. I’m just… I’m not prepared to lose you. Either of you,” she adds, looking my way.

Mr. Buchanan rubs her arm. “We’re just so glad you’re both okay.”

“We are. Promise,” Lucky says. His eyes meet mine before returning to his parents. “Ellis and I should get cleaned up, though.”

“Of course,” his mom says. “The shower’s all yours.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather use the one next door,” Lucky says, standing up and grabbing his bag. “I need a minute alone with Ellis.”

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