Freefall to Desire. Kayla Perrin

      Brianne set the Irish cream-flavored coffee to brew, then went back to her bedroom. There she reached for a stuffed teddy bear on her dresser, one she’d had from childhood. She held the bear close to her chest, drawing comfort from her childhood toy. Carter had always teased her for still having a teddy bear she turned to for comfort, but old habits die hard.

      Her heart rate accelerated. Was it possible that Carter truly was alive?

      The thought was overwhelming. And she needed to talk to someone about it. There was one only one person who understood what she was going through because he himself had experienced it—and that was Alex.

      Brianne moved to her night table and lifted the card he’d given her. Then she plopped down on her bed and lifted the receiver.

      She dialed the cell number, which rang four times before going to voice mail. Only then did she consider that at only ten minutes after eight, Alex might still be in bed.

      Brianne hung up, not wanting to leave a message.

      She was surprised when, not more than ten minutes later, the phone rang in the kitchen—and the caller ID showed Alex’s number.