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

“Have a seat, boys,” Mr. Jennings said.


They took seats on either side of their respective dads. Tyler looked over at Tommy. He had a cut on his lip and a bruised cheek. Fuck! He thought. Eddie really did a number on him. Meanwhilea quick glance at Eddie showed that his son had emerged from the encounter without a scratch.


“Tommy!” Hank exclaimed. “Jesus Christ! Are you okay?”


“We had the school nurse look at him, and she treated his injuries. She assured me there was no serious damage done,” the principal said.


“But look at him, he’s a mess,” Hank went on. He turned to glare at Tyler.


“I assure you, Mr. Erlich, Tommy’s injuries are superficial, but if you want to have a doctor look at him—”


Hank interrupted the principal. “You bet I will and have him pay for it, too!” Hank pointed at Tyler.


“Of course,” was all Tyler could manage to say.


Hank grunted and crossed his arms over his chest.


Chapter 46