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

Somehow, Tyler got through the week at work. He knew he was putting off the confrontation with Ward, but he just couldn’t bring himself to face the man. And, Ward, true to his word, had made no attempt to approach Tyler, no attempt to try to persuade him to change his mind, leaving the whole matter in Tyler’s hands.


On Friday evening, Tyler arrived at his parent’s home to pick up Eddie and Jack. When he came into the house they were watching television. Jack jumped up and ran to his dad. Tyler picked him up, hugged him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.


Eddie looked up at his father, said, “Hi,”, and went back to watching the show.


“No homework tonight?” Tyler asked, trying to engage his elder son.


“I made a picture for you,” Jack said.


Chapter 61