A broken-hearted Ward Cartwright left town to join the army when his boyfriend Tyler Hughes turned his back on their love and married a woman. Ten years later, Tyler is a widower with two young boys, and Ward has returned home. He is hopeful he can re-establish his relationship with Tyler. Even though a decade has passed, Tyler still feels tied to the family-owned feed mill. He has folks depending on the mill for employment, there are his children to consider, they live in a small town, and ... But despite this, Tyler finds there are plenty of benefits to giving Ward a job in the mill -- lots of out-of-the-way places to explore Ward’s army-honed, muscular body. Just when Tyler resolves to live more openly with Ward, rumors begin to surface, not just at the mill, but at his sons’ school. Ward knows the upcoming battle is just as serious as anything he’s faced in Afghanistan. Instead of fighting for his country, the soldier is fighting for his lover’s heart. Will Ward finally emerge victorious, or will Tyler’s self-doubt and fear of prejudice win out again?

Welcome Home, Soldier

Ward kissed Tyler. Tyler kissed back. They let their longing for one another block out the situation caused by the circumstances of their lives. Their arousal increased.


His words spurred Ward to greater heights of excitement. Being united with Tyler once again had been foremost in his mind ever since he’d decided to come home after his discharge from the army.


“Are we going to need protection?” Tyler asked.


“No,” Ward responded. He’d been careful with every partner he’d had since leaving Summerville and was tested regularly. The last time was just before he’d returned home. He’d not been with anyone since.


“Good,” Tyler whispered. “I don’t want anything separating us.”


Chapter 6