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

“Didn’t things go all right with dropping off Addy?” His mother sounded concerned.


“Oh, it went great. The boys are real happy. Addy’s doing great. No accidents so far,” Ward said, trying to make his voice sound lighthearted. “Listen, I need to get back to Tyler and the boys.”


“All right. Tell them I’m glad Addy has such a good home.”


“Bye. Love you,” Ward said, again trying to sound bright and chipper.


“I love you, too,” his mother replied. The line went dead.


Ward turned to face the group, who stood looking at him. “Um,” he said. “Just a little problem at home I needed Joe to help me with. But I couldn’t get him. Nothing to worry about.”


Eddie and Jack went back to playing with the puppy.


Tyler approached. Ward could tell Tyler hadn’t bought his dismissing the little problem at home as nothing to worry about.


Chapter 67