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

“You poor thing,” Sarah Anne replied, further ramping up the flirtation. “Is there anything I can do?”


“I’ll think about it and let you know,” Avery said with a wink.


“Be sure you do,” Sarah Anne said in a breathy would-be siren voice.


Having had enough, Ward broke in and asked, “Do you know where they went?”


“Who?” Sarah Anne asked, still leaning on the counter and smiling at Avery.


“Tyler and Mr. Hughes,” Ward said tersely, having no patience with her useless attempts at ensnaring Avery.


“Oh, oh, no,” she said, tearing her eyes away from Avery. “They just said they’d be back in about an hour.”


Ward and Avery left the mill store. Ward decided to try The Pub , hoping he would find Tyler and Tyler’s dad. Maybe he’d be able to have lunch with Tyler after all. Being there with his father and Avery, how could Tyler feel uncomfortable? However, when they got to The Pub, the Hugheses weren’t there. Disappointed, Ward led Avery to a booth.


Chapter 44