Second Chance For A Soldier

Eight years ago, Landon Cutter dared to tell his childhood sweetheart that he loved her—days before her wedding to another man. But Georgiana Sanders sent him away forever. Now, the former soldier returns to their Alabama ranching town and discovers that Georgiana is a single mother—and lost her sight in a long-ago accident he believes he caused. Landon has never stopped loving the sweet country gal, but Georgiana thinks he’s just trying to make amends. Now he’ll need the help of a community—and one special little girl—to heal old hurts...and bind two hearts.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you get word to me when it happened?” Landon asked.

“You had already joined the army by the time I realized I was going blind,” Georgiana said. “And it was an accident.”

“It was that accident, wasn’t it?” He wasn’t willing to let her shirk the issue or protect him from the blame. “The day you left the church so upset because of me.”

She turned her head. She knew if she looked in his direction, he’d be able to tell she was withholding the rest of the story.

“I remember,” he said, and took a small step toward her, unable to stay so far away.

“It was an accident, Landon. There wasn’t anything anyone could have done to change it.”

He couldn’t believe she was trying to protect him from the truth. She should hate him, should totally blame him for her blindness, but she obviously didn’t.

However, Landon wasn’t going to let himself off the hook that easily.

RENEE ANDREWS

spends a lot of time in the gym. No, she isn’t working out. Her husband, a former all-American gymnast, co-owns ACE Cheer Company, an all-star cheerleading company. She is thankful the talented kids at the gym don’t have a problem when she brings her laptop and writes while they sweat. When she isn’t writing, she’s typically traveling with her husband, bragging about their two sons or spoiling their bulldog.

Renee is a kidney donor and actively supports organ donation. She welcomes prayer requests and loves to hear from readers. Write to her at Renee@ReneeAndrews.com, visit her website at www.reneeandrews.com or check her out on Facebook or Twitter.

Love Reunited

Renee Andrews

www.millsandboon.co.uk

The Lord gives sight to the blind,

the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,

the Lord loves the righteous.

—Psalms 146:8

This novel is dedicated to my oldest son, Rene Zeringue, and his beautiful new wife, Ariel Tingle Zeringue.

May God bless each and every day of your life together.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Special thanks to Chief Warrant Officer 2

Johnny Matherne, Jr., for sharing his knowledge

and insight for Landon Cutter.

As always, all mistakes are mine.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Prologue

“Don’t marry him, Georgiana.”

Georgiana Sanders stood alone in the center aisle of the Claremont Community Church and bit back the tremor of anxiety that rippled through her as she viewed the heart-shaped arch that would be covered in white roses in merely two days. Two days until she would be pronounced Georgiana Sanders Watson.

Cold feet. Every bride experienced the sensation, surely. She was no different. She swallowed hard. That had to be it.

Faint voices echoed through the empty church, the sounds of Brother Henry’s wife and Georgiana’s mother in the fellowship hall. But in spite of the fact that Brother Henry was in his office and the two women weren’t far away, Georgiana felt very alone.

“Don’t marry him, Georgie.”

This time the voice was louder, stronger and extremely masculine. Definitely not imagined and undeniably familiar. She turned to see Landon Cutter, tall and muscled and beautiful, her neighbor and best friend since they were toddlers, standing merely a few feet away in the aisle.

Had he actually said the very thing that’d been haunting her heart?

“Landon?”

He stepped closer, and she caught a hint of the crisp woodsy scent of a guy that loved the outdoors. “I know you think he’s changed,” he said, “and I’ve prayed that he has, for you.”

Georgiana blinked. Pete had changed. Everyone had seen the difference. He’d left his partying, bad-boy ways and had become a new person...for Georgiana. The whole town agreed. Everyone knew they’d get married. Everyone expected this wedding. “You don’t believe he’s changed?”

Landon’s strong jaw flexed, as though he was trying to decide how much to say, but he was her best friend. He’d always told her the truth, and she didn’t want him to stop now, not when it involved the most important decision of her life.

“Tell me, Landon.”

“I don’t know,” he said, glancing at the front of the church and clenching that jaw again. His head subtly shook, and he continued, “Maybe he has, and maybe I shouldn’t make this about Pete.”

“Make what about Pete?” Her heart raced.

He moved even closer, looked at her with those amber eyes that she adored. Her best friend. Her confidant. The one who understood her better than anyone else, even better than the man she would marry in two days.

“I don’t think you should marry him. Not just because I’m not a hundred percent certain that he’s changed, but because...”

She looked into his eyes, focused on his words. “Because—what?”

“Because I want you. I love you. I believe I’ve loved you for years, but I never wanted to risk our friendship. And I could tell you had fallen for Pete. But...” He took a deep breath. “This was my last chance to tell you, and I decided I didn’t want the chance to pass. I love you, and I wonder if you don’t love me too.” He eased his hands to her face, brushed calloused fingers along her jaw. “I want to be the one to kiss you in this church.”

She knew what he was about to do. He moved closer, his mouth tenderly touching hers, hesitant at first, then exploring, and Georgiana found herself reveling in the feel of his arms circling around her, of the closeness they’d shared for the majority of their lives enveloping this embrace, this perfect kiss. For a moment, she simply lost herself in the amazing realization that she was kissing Landon.

A hint of voices in the distance reminded her of where they were and of the truth that her wedding was to take place in this church in merely two days.

The cake had been ordered. The church had been decorated. They’d had three wedding showers and had another scheduled for tonight. Pete’s family had started arriving from out of town. Everyone in Claremont thought they should get married and had been anxiously waiting for this wedding.

She broke the kiss, tamped down on the emotion bristling through her very being. Landon. She had feelings for Landon. But she did love Pete. She did. And yet...

“I have to go.” She turned from his embrace and ran from the church.

* * *

Landon watched her leave, strawberry-blond curls bouncing against her back as she retreated from his kiss...and ran closer to her wedding day. She was marrying Pete Watson, and Landon had now not only made a fool of himself in this church; he’d probably lost his best friend and the only girl he’d ever loved.

“God, please help me.”

He took a deep breath, then heard the sound of a horn and the telltale sound of screeching tires that followed. Landon darted toward the door. “No!”

And then, as though the next sound was inevitable, it overtook the quiet with a deafening crunch of metal against metal in a loud crash.

Chapter One

Landon Cutter had only been home three times over the past eight years, but even though he’d stayed away from Claremont, Alabama, the majority of his lengthy tour of duty, he still hadn’t been able to get Georgiana Sanders off his mind. The town reminded him of her. The farm reminded him of her. Ditto for the high school and the Claremont Community Church. Even the late August weather reminded him of Georgie. Because a decade ago, that’d been the time when the two of them spent so many hours talking about the new school year and all of their hopes and dreams while riding their horses through the Cutter fields and Lookout Mountain trails.

“What do you think, Sam? Reckon I can get used to this place again? Being back home?” he asked his best confidant and faithful companion, who didn’t seem to mind the fact that Landon had left her with his brother John when he joined the army.

Sam’s velvety lips brushed against his palm to scoop the molasses treat from his hand and then the stunning bay mare nudged his shirt pocket for more.

Landon grinned. Sam had always enjoyed her sweets, since the first day Landon’s father brought her home from the Stockville horse auction. Landon was in eighth grade and had been pretty ticked that he’d been told he was getting a stallion and his dad bought the mare instead. While Landon was still brooding, Georgiana had ridden her own mare over from the next farm to see the new arrival. She’d instantly fallen in love with Samantha, who eagerly licked treats from her petite hand. After seeing Georgiana’s approval, Landon decided that maybe his horse would do, but he was not calling her Samantha.

She’d been Sam ever since.

“Why don’t we go ride the ridge for old times?” He glanced out the barn and across the expanse of land that separated the Cutter and Sanders farms.

Sam nickered as though she completely understood every word and every memory flooding his soul.

He gave her another treat. “Let’s go, girl. It’s been way too long, and I’ve got to get someone off my mind.” He was finally back in Claremont, and Georgiana was still in Tampa, married to Pete Watson. It’d be good if he could remember that fact and would be even better if he could get his heart to do the same.

Ten minutes later, he and Sam were following the same route they’d taken every summer day back in high school and every fall evening after football practice. Georgiana never missed a ride, never missed a chance for the two of them to talk and grow closer. If Landon had a nickel for every time she told him that he was her best friend, he’d be rich. If he had a nickel for every time he wished she’d wanted more than friendship, he’d be filthy rich. And if Landon had one day to do over, it’d be that day he found her alone in the church and spilled his heart.

He shook his head, tried to stop thinking about the past and instead thought about the lyrics to a contemporary Christian song he’d heard on the radio today when John picked him up from the airport. “You are more than the sum of your past mistakes.” Landon did his best not to show any emotions to the song, but John didn’t miss a beat and wasted no time asking Landon if he was okay after the music ended.

Trademark answer. “I’m fine.”

But he wasn’t. He was still sick about the way he’d left Claremont before, about the way he’d left Georgiana before. But leave it to his brother to give him plenty to keep his mind off the past.

“Listen, I should tell you that the economy has taken its toll on the farm,” John said. “The demand and the price for beef has plummeted the past few years, and I haven’t been able to figure out how to make everything work.”

His brother’s words shocked Landon. The farm was in trouble?

“I didn’t want you to worry about it while you were serving,” John continued, “and I thought I’d get the loans caught up before you got back. But—” he shrugged “—things only got worse.”

“How bad is it?” Landon asked.

“Six months. That’s how long we have. The bank has given us till the spring to turn a profit and bring the mortgage current.”

John’s words still echoed through Landon’s mind as he and Sam made their way through the trails. They couldn’t lose the farm. With their parents gone, the farm was all they had of the past, all they had of the Cutter property, land their family had owned for generations. And this property was amazing. Beautiful and pristine.

Sighing, he focused on enjoying Sam’s smooth gait, the cool afternoon breeze against his face and the scents of hay, sweet feed, alfalfa and leather that blended around the farm, then the equally invigorating smells of cool crisp pine and damp earth as he made his way through the trails. The North Alabama surroundings were vastly different from the dry, dusty air and rancid odors from his time overseas.

But the tangible differences weren’t the biggest contrast to his life overseas and his life at home. His disposition created the biggest difference of all. There he’d felt a continual sense of duty, but here he felt something totally opposite. Freedom, what he’d worked so hard to help maintain over the past eight years. In spite of the financial problems with the farm, he felt free now in the open fields, towering mountains and natural trails, and the beauty of it touched his heart. However, the splendor also reminded him of how he’d hoped to experience this countryside again one day, with Georgiana by his side.

After her wreck way back then, he’d vowed that he would never hurt her again.

He’d enlisted the next day.

Landon shook his head and attempted to shake those thoughts away. “The past is the past,” he muttered. “I need to keep it there.” But that wouldn’t be easy now that he was back home, where memories filled his thoughts with every sight, every sound, every smell.

Sam seemed excited as she deftly maneuvered through the narrow trail, her hooves creating faint crushing sounds against the leaves and pine straw. “You like this as much as you used to, don’t you, girl?” Landon guided her between towering purple rhododendrons and white mountain laurel. Georgiana had loved it when the mountain foliage bloomed. She’d said it was God’s way of reminding you that He created these mountains.

Landon had told himself he would merely ride the Cutter acreage, take in the fields, check out the Charolais cattle and then maybe enjoy a little time by the pond. But deep down, he knew he wasn’t sticking to the family land. Just like Sam, he realized exactly where they were headed, to the same place they always went before life got so complicated. No, Georgiana wasn’t there any longer, and no, they hadn’t even spoken since that awful night so many years ago, but he simply had to see the ridge where they had often sat and talked, where Landon often dreamed he’d kiss the girl he loved.

The flat rock that overlooked the Sanders property showcased the picturesque scene of Georgiana’s family home. It looked exactly the same as it did back then, an almost exact replica of the Cutter farm, with a big two-story log home in the center surrounded by fields and ponds, cattle and horses, and a large Mennonite barn. The only difference, where the Cutter barn was red, the Sanders barn was forest green.

Landon searched the horses in the field for Fallon but didn’t spot Georgiana’s palomino. He wondered if Pete might have bought a horse farm in Tampa and taken Georgiana’s favorite mare. That’s what Landon would have done, if he and Georgiana had married and he’d taken her away from Claremont. Then again, if they’d married they would have stayed in Claremont, close to family and friends.

A movement by the green barn caught Landon’s eye, and he watched as a striking horse sauntered into its paddock. The golden coat, stark white mane and equally white tail gleaming in the twilight gave Landon no doubt that this was Fallon. So Pete hadn’t taken Georgiana’s horse after all. Landon wasn’t surprised Fallon was still at the farm though. Mrs. Sanders would never sell Georgiana’s favorite mare.

He glanced toward the log cabin and thought he saw a shadow pass by one of the windows. Georgiana’s mother lived there alone now, he guessed. Her father had passed away when Landon and Georgiana were seniors in high school, just three years after Landon’s father had died. Landon had gone to the funeral, where Pete had stayed by Georgiana throughout the ceremony and held her while she cried. But that evening, when she wanted to ride the ridge and quietly reflect on her father’s life, Landon was the one by her side. He’d understood what she was going through, having lost his own dad. Even if her father died of a heart attack and his had died in a farming accident, they’d both died way too young. And that night, when she’d sobbed until she fell into an exhausted sleep, Landon had been the one to hold her when she cried.

A few cows lifted their heads to glance toward Fallon as she neighed from her paddock, her long neck stretched as though trying to get the most enjoyment from the setting sun. Landon was so absorbed in watching Georgiana’s horse that he nearly didn’t see the second movement at the barn. But sunlight catching long strawberry-blond hair quickly drew his eye and held him captive.

She wore a green T-shirt, fitted jeans and boots. Her hair, even longer than in high school, was clipped back somehow and formed a red-gold waterfall of curls that fell nearly to her waist. She didn’t readily move away from the barn, but stood nearby staring into the fields, her face tilted toward the sun so that Landon could see her clearly and had no doubt...

Georgiana.

Apparently sensing Landon’s exhilaration, Sam nickered happily, and Georgiana turned and looked directly toward the flat rock, directly toward Landon.

His breath caught in his throat, heart thundered in his chest. How many nights in the heat of turmoil in Afghanistan did he dream of seeing her one more time? And now that the dream was reality, he had no idea what to do. He lifted a hand and knuckled his Stetson. Then he waited, hoped, prayed.

But instead of returning the greeting, she turned away from the mountain and toward the house, where the front door had opened and a young girl scurried down the porch steps. She called something to Georgiana, but Landon couldn’t make out her words. Even from his vantage on the ridge, he could see Georgiana smile, and then he clearly saw the girl, her hair the identical hue as her mother’s but shorter and curlier. She looked around six or seven, Landon supposed, which went along with what he’d heard about Georgiana’s pregnancy back when he’d still asked John about her in e-mails. After that e-mail announcing her pregnancy, Landon had stopped asking, and John hadn’t volunteered.

So it was true; Georgiana had the little girl she’d always wanted. Landon suddenly wanted to know the child’s name and whether she loved horses as much as Georgiana always had. Did she have that deep throaty laugh like Georgiana? Did she talk nonstop when she was excited like Georgiana? Was her nose sprinkled with copper freckles that spilled onto her cheeks like Georgiana’s?

And did Pete Watson appreciate everything God had blessed him with the way he should? Had he changed back then, the way Georgiana thought? Landon had prayed that his quarterback would settle down, truly stop the wild partying ways and treat Georgiana the way she deserved.

The little girl said something else, caught up to her mother and took Georgiana’s hand. Georgiana squatted down eye-level with her daughter, stroked her fingers down her little girl’s curls and then pulled her close.

Landon’s throat thickened. It wasn’t right for him to watch them this way, and it certainly wasn’t right for him to long for Georgiana this way.

God, help me understand why she isn’t mine.

Then Georgiana slowly stood and Landon held his breath as, once again, she turned toward the mountain. Should he wave? Could she see him on the ridge? And now the little girl looked too.

Landon waited. If they acknowledged his presence, he’d simply have to ride down and say hello. With the way the sun was setting and the fact that he was at the edge of the tree line, he wouldn’t think he’d be easily spotted. But if they had indeed seen him, then the neighborly thing to do would be to ride down. However, chances were that Georgiana and her daughter weren’t the only ones visiting from Tampa. Pete would undoubtedly be at the Sanders home too. And Landon wasn’t certain whether his old friend would find the gesture neighborly at all. Pete knew how much Landon had loved Georgiana. If anyone knew, it was Pete.

The little girl shielded her eyes from the brightness of the setting sun and scanned the mountain then she stopped and pointed toward Landon. “Hey!” she yelled, her voice loud enough now that Landon heard clearly.

He lifted a hand, started Sam toward the Sanders farm and prayed that God would give him the courage to get through whatever happened next.

* * *

Georgiana used to love watching the sun set against the backdrop of the mountains, the orange-gold sphere easing its way behind the trees and putting the farm in a majestic glow as it dipped. She took a few steps out of the barn into the open air, turned her head toward the direction where she knew the sun was setting and imagined seeing it again. The vision was beautiful; she knew that. And that should be enough. She shouldn’t have to see it to know.

She merely had to remember.

But memories of sunsets brought back memories of Landon Cutter. How many sunsets had they viewed together growing up? And how many times had she felt a little hint that there might have been more between them than friendship? Why hadn’t she acted on that? And why had he waited until that day in the church to tell her that he did feel something? And, more important than any other question, why hadn’t she simply told him how she felt instead of running away?

She heard a horse nicker in the distance, and it didn’t seem to come from the fields, so she tilted her head and listened again.

“Mom, don’t you wanna come in and get ready to go to town?” Abi called, causing all of Georgiana’s attention to turn toward the house, where the sound of her daughter’s feet grew louder as she quickly progressed across the yard.

If Georgiana hadn’t run away from Landon at the church back then, she wouldn’t have her daughter. And even if that meant she was now blind, she wouldn’t take anything for the extraordinary little girl that held her heart. “Hey, sweetie. I wanted to wait until the sun set. Then I’ll come in and get ready.”

Abi bounded into her mother, her arms wrapping around Georgiana’s waist in a bear hug. “Okay, I’ll watch it with you,” she said happily. “Then we’ll go to town.”

Georgiana smiled, squatted down to Abi’s level. She ran her palm along her daughter’s soft curls, the ones that were supposedly the exact same shade as Georgiana’s. How she’d love to see her little girl’s red hair, or her smile—Pete’s wide dashing smile, she’d been told—or her eyes, which were apparently hazel like Georgiana’s.

“It doesn’t take too long to set, does it?” Abi asked. “’Cause I’m ready to go find you a new dress for my recital. It’s in three weeks. That’s what Mrs. Camp said.”

The other children had been practicing for the recital all summer, while Abi had stayed with Pete. She would be the newest student with Mrs. Camp, but Georgiana’s gung ho little girl didn’t want to wait for the winter recital to show off her new skills. And she expected her mom to be at her first recital, naturally. Abi had taken lessons in Tampa, but they were given at a school that didn’t do recitals for beginner students. Here, where Mrs. Camp gave all lessons in her home, a recital occurred for all levels every quarter. It was a pretty big deal for the kids.

Georgiana remembered how excited she’d always been to show her parents what she’d learned at each of her recitals. Mrs. Camp would make cookies and have punch for the kids, coffee and tea for the adults. And everyone dressed up for the event. Mrs. Camp had apparently described how the process worked to Abi, and now Georgiana’s little angel had decided that all three of them, Abi, her grandma and her mother, needed new dresses for the big event. Abi and Eden had already purchased their outfits for the occasion, and tonight they planned to get one for Georgiana too.

“Three weeks is plenty of time to find a dress for me,” Georgiana said. “We could wait till another night if you want.” She had no desire to leave the farm, not tonight—or ever—but she had to for Abi, somehow.

“No, Mom, you promised we’d go tonight. And you said you’d let me pick it out. Remember? And we’re going to get some candy at that candy store Grandma told us about too, remember?”

“I remember.” The Sweet Stop. The old-fashioned candy shop had been Georgiana’s favorite store on the square growing up. Well, that and the Tiny Tots Treasure Box, the local toy store. She did want to take her daughter there, but she wished that there wasn’t such a drastic possibility of her running into half of Claremont when they went to the square. On a late summer night this cool, this comfortable, everyone would want to enjoy the beauty of town.

God, let the place be uncommonly deserted.

“So, does it take long for the sun to set?” Abi continued. “I’m really ready to go to town.”

“No, it doesn’t. In fact, it should be heading behind the trees now, if Fallon’s timing is still spot-on.” Resolved that there was no way she could get out of going to the square, Georgiana slid her hand into Abi’s and stood. “Is that where the sun is, going behind the trees?”

“Yep, that’s where it is,” Abi said. “Well, almost. It sure does take its time, huh?”

“Yes,” Georgiana said, gently squeezing Abi’s hand, “it does.” Then she heard the horse in the distance again. “Abi, do you hear...”

“Hey!” Abi yelled. “Mom, there’s a guy on a horse up there. He’s waving.”

Georgiana’s arm jerked as Abi apparently used her other hand to wave back. “A guy on a horse?”

“Yep, and I think he’s coming to see us. Yep, yep, he is.”

“What does he look like, Abi?” A guy on a horse? If Abi was waving in the direction that it seemed, then the guy was on the ridge, probably coming from the direction of the Cutter farm. Georgiana’s mother had said John Cutter was running the farm now and that he’d been in charge ever since their mother died after Landon joined the army. And John was supposedly raising their younger brother, Casey. So this guy on the horse could be John or Casey. “Is he older, Abi? A man? Or is he a boy, you know, like a teenager?”

“He’s a man,” Abi said. “A cowboy, with a real cowboy hat and everything. And a pretty horse. Not as pretty as Fallon, but a pretty brown horse. A lot like Fallon though, except Fallon is gold and white, and this one is brown and black.”

A pretty brown-and-black horse. “Sam?”

“What?” Abi asked.

“Nothing, honey. So the man is coming this way?” She knew he was. She could hear the horse’s hooves clopping against the earth as the “cowboy” evidently came off the mountain and crossed the field. He moved slowly, judging from the sound of the horse’s gait, and Georgiana used his slow arrival to gain her composure.

God, I asked You to help me not run into anyone I know tonight when I go to town. Did I need to ask that I not run into anyone before we go to town? Is this John? Or little Casey? Last time I saw Casey he’d been ten. He’d be eighteen now. Goodness, he’s a man too, isn’t he? And God, if it is either of them, please keep them from telling Landon that I’m blind.

Georgiana cleared her throat. There had been a few instances over the past few years where she was able to fool people into thinking she could see. Her eyes didn’t look any different than normal according to her doctors. She simply had to concentrate on where to direct her attention or find a way to avoid eye contact. She could pull that off until John or Casey was gone, surely.

Stay with me, Lord.

“Hey!” Abi said again. “I like your horse.”

“Thanks,” the deep baritone answered. A familiar baritone that sent a ripple of awareness over Georgiana’s entire body. “Her name’s Sam.”

“That’s a funny name for a girl,” Abi said, while Georgiana focused on keeping her balance. Her knees suddenly felt weak. Head started to swim. And if she really wanted to, she could totally throw up. Her stomach pitched enough, for sure.

“Yeah, well, it’s short for Samantha,” he said, a light chuckle in his words. The chuckle that used to make Georgiana laugh automatically in response. He didn’t say anything for a second then said, “Hello, Georgiana.” He paused. “Georgie.”

Landon. Not John. Not Casey. But Landon. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. And hearing him call her by the nickname that’d been his alone sent a tremor down her spine.

“Mom?” Abi coaxed, and when Georgiana didn’t respond, she yanked on Georgiana’s hand for good measure. “Mom? You okay?”

Georgiana glanced in the direction of his voice. “Hello, Landon.” She could feel her cheeks heating, prayed they weren’t as red as they felt. “I—I thought you were still overseas.”

“Just got back today,” he said. “Y’all home for a visit?”

One quality of her blindness, Georgiana had a precise sense of intonation, and she detected the additional question in Landon’s words. Are you and Pete home for a visit?

“We’re staying at Grandma’s now,” Abi enlightened. “I like the farm. Grandma lets me take riding lessons when the other kids have them. Do you have a farm too? Are you a real cowboy? How many more horses do you have? And do you just have horses, or do you have cows and chickens and stuff too, like Grandma does? Are all of your horses brown and black, or do you have other colors too, like we do? Hey, guess what? I’m six, but I’ll be seven in September, after I go back to school.”

There were many times that Georgiana loved her daughter’s ability to fill the air with words. This was one of them.

Landon laughed. “Have mercy, you remind me of someone I knew when I was your age. She talked almost as fast as you do. What’s your name?”

“My name’s Abi, and you’re talking about my mom, aren’t ya? Grandma says I’m just like she was when she was little. And Grandma says that she was a talker, like me.”

“I’d guess that’s true,” he said. “What do you think, Georgie? Is she just like you?”

She made certain to look toward the sound of his voice and said in as clear a tone as she could muster, “Yes, she is.”

“That isn’t a bad thing.” He waited a beat. “Not a bad thing at all.”

“That’s what Grandma says too,” Abi said with a laugh.

“Abi, honey, you’ve got a phone call,” Eden Sanders called. Georgiana pictured her mother walking out onto the porch, seeing Georgiana and Abi beside Landon Cutter and freezing in her tracks. But leave it to her mom; she must have recovered from the shock fairly quickly, because she hardly paused before adding, “It’s your daddy, honey. You want to come talk to him inside, so you can hear better?”

And so Landon couldn’t hear Abi’s end of the conversation, no doubt.

“Sure!” Abi said, letting go of Georgiana’s hand and starting to run away, but then her steps stalled, and she said, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Landon. You gonna bring your horse back to see us again?”

“Maybe so,” he answered, and Georgiana wondered exactly how close Abi had been to the phone when she said Landon’s name. Had Pete heard?

But before she could give that too much thought, she heard her mother’s steps growing closer and smelled a hint of her floral perfume. “Mom, did you know Landon was home?”

“No, I didn’t,” her mother said. “It’s wonderful to see you, Landon. Are you between deployments or home for good?”

“Home for good, Mrs. Sanders. And it’s nice to see you too. Been a long time.”

“Too long,” she answered. “You living back at the farm?”

“Yeah, I’m planning to help run the place for a while. Still got some things to get worked out with John, but when it’s all said and done, I’d like to stay there from now on.”

“That’s nice. It’s good when land stays in the family. That’s what my daddy always said. This was the land I grew up on, you know.”

“Yes, ma’am, it is good to keep it in the family. That’s our plan too.”

“Well, I guess I’d better get back inside. We’ve promised Abi a trip to the square tonight to do a little shopping and go by the candy store. It really was good to see you, Landon.” She paused, and Georgiana could almost see her mother smiling toward the boy—now man—that she’d always liked so much. “I hope you’ll come visit often.”

If Georgiana could glare at her mother, she would. There was no denying her tone was asking Landon—maybe even begging him—to spend time with her daughter. And she had no idea whether Landon had figured out the truth of her disability yet. If he had, it hadn’t been indicated in his voice. But once he knew, he wouldn’t want to spend time with Georgiana, not in the way her mother hoped. Or if he did, it’d only be because he felt sorry for her, and that wasn’t what Georgiana needed at all.

She heard footsteps leaving and realized that her mother wasn’t helping her get away from Landon. Eden could’ve easily said, “Come on, Georgiana, let’s go inside and get ready to head to town,” but she didn’t. Didn’t she know that he’d figure out the truth if Georgiana merely stood here? “I should go inside too,” she said. “It really was good talking to you, Landon.”

She felt a movement to her left and instantly realized her mistake. When she’d been listening to her mother leave and wondering how to also head to the house, Landon and Sam had shifted to the left. But Georgiana had continued looking to the spot where they’d been, and she’d spoken to dead air.

The silence was worse than if he said anything, and Georgiana didn’t think she could stand hearing pity in Landon Cutter’s voice, so she turned toward the house and walked away.

Chapter Two

John was waiting on Landon when he returned to the house and barely let him change clothes before ushering him to the truck. “I was hoping we could talk some about the farm when I got in from work, but I couldn’t find you. We’ll have to talk later, though, because we’re meeting Casey at the square. You left your cell phone here so I couldn’t reach you.”

“My habit of carrying a cell phone kind of flew out the window over the last eight years,” Landon said distractedly as he climbed in the cab and rubbed his forehead. What had happened to Georgiana in the time he’d been gone?

John rounded the front of the truck and got behind the wheel. “What’s going on with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something. Where’d you go with Sam, anyway?”

“To the Sanders farm. And she was there, John.”

“Who? You mean Georgiana? She’s home?”

“Yes, Georgie’s home.”

“I thought she was in Tampa with Pete. I didn’t think they came home for visits at all.” He cranked down the window on the old truck. “Anytime I asked Eden how Georgiana was doing and why we never saw her anymore, she said that Pete’s job didn’t leave a lot of time for traveling. I know Eden has gone down there occasionally over the years. She’d ask me to keep an eye on her farm while she was gone. But I don’t think I’ve seen Georgiana back in Claremont since she and Pete got married. Odd that she’s back on the same day you get back, huh?”

“Yeah, odd.” Lots of things were odd about seeing Georgie today. Most of all what he’d determined right before he left her farm.

“Was Pete there too?”

“No, but he called their daughter while I was there. I guess he could’ve been calling from somewhere around here, but I got the impression he’s still in Tampa. Their little girl’s name is Abi, and she’s the spitting image of Georgie when she was little.”

“I’m sure I’ll see her if they’re staying in town a while.” John paused, then asked, “So, how’d Georgiana look? Still the same? And how did you handle seeing her again?”

Too many questions, and each one could warrant an extensive answer. But only one thing mattered to Landon, and there was only one thing he wanted to tell his brother. He kept seeing Georgiana speaking to him, talking to him, but he’d known the entire time that something was off. Her eyes. They were still that stunning hazel he remembered, but the light that shone through them was gone. “She’s blind, John. Georgiana’s blind.”

“What?” John stopped the truck at the end of the driveway and turned to face his brother. “What are you saying? You mean, like really blind? She can’t see?”

“No, she can’t see.” And Landon suspected she hadn’t been able to see in quite a while. Obviously she’d attempted to hide the truth from him, speaking to him as though everything was normal. But he’d sensed that something was off, and then at the end, when Sam had taken a couple of steps to the side and Georgie continued talking toward where they’d been, the truth hit Landon with the same force as that bullet in Afghanistan. Catching him unaware. Unprepared.

John shook his head and started the truck down the road leading to town. “How? Did she say what happened? When it happened? Do you think it’s temporary? Is that why she’s home, to let her mom help take care of her until she’s better?”

Landon hadn’t considered that. “I don’t know.”

“Well, I see Eden often, at church and around town. She’s never mentioned anything about Georgiana losing her sight. Seems like she’d have said something.”

“Unless Georgie asked her not to.”

“Why would she do that?” John asked.

“Maybe she didn’t want me to know,” Landon pondered aloud. Georgie would have known that he would’ve wanted to help her if she was hurting. He would have done whatever he could to get home and be with his friend if she were in trouble. But she’d also have known that he was serving his country and wouldn’t have wanted him to do anything differently because of her. And then there was the whole Pete factor. No way would Pete want some other guy coming home to check on his wife. “I can see her keeping that from me, especially while she knew I was still serving.”

John grabbed his old baseball cap off the seat and put it on. “I can see that, I guess.”

“Still can’t believe it,” Landon said. “She looks exactly the same. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong, except she can’t see.” His heart ached for Georgie. How long had she been this way? “She definitely didn’t want me to know. I’m fairly certain she was trying to disguise the fact.”

“How do you disguise it? Couldn’t you tell looking at her? Or was she wearing sunglasses?”

“No sunglasses. And her eyes looked normal, but you know, like she wasn’t really paying attention. Kind of like someone daydreaming.”

“She didn’t have a cane?”

Landon shook his head. “No, she didn’t have anything like that.”

John’s mouth quirked to the side, brows dipped, and then he nodded. “Maybe she doesn’t need one. I mean, think about it. When the power goes out at the farm at night, we can’t see our hand in front of our face, but we still find our way around. Spatial memory, I think it’s called. Or something like that.”

“Yeah,” Landon said. “That’s probably it.” But his thoughts weren’t really focused on how Georgiana got around. He was more concerned with why she’d lost her sight to begin with. And he also wondered where Pete was while his blind wife and their daughter were at the farm.

John pulled into a parking spot behind one of the shops on the square. “Think you can stop thinking about it long enough to have dinner with our little brother?”

Landon nodded. “I’ll try. Why are we meeting Casey at the square instead of having dinner at the farm?”

“Because he leaves for the University of Alabama next week, and he’s trying to spend as much time as possible with Nadia Berry before he goes.” John grinned. “He’ll be home late tonight, so I thought it’d be nice for all of us to eat together. Nadia works at Carter Photography and is joining us for dinner.” He paused. “I haven’t told Casey about the troubles with the farm.”

“Good. I don’t want anything keeping him from going to college,” Landon said.

John nodded. “And he’d stay here and try to help if he knew. All that kid has on his mind right now is spending as much time as possible with Nadia before he leaves. And, oddly enough, a pretty girl takes rank over his brother returning home from the army.”

Landon smiled, thought of another pretty girl he’d seen a few hours ago. A beautiful blind girl. “I get it.” He had another idea that might lend him a bit of information about what had happened to Georgiana. If any of their old friends were still in town, maybe she was still close to some of them. And maybe someone could enlighten him as to how she lost her sight. “You see any of the old gang while you’re around town? I mean, did most of them stick around Claremont, or have they moved off?”

“Most have stuck around. Chad, Mitch, Daniel. They all still live in Claremont. But I haven’t seen anyone much over the past couple of years. Just the ones I see when I get to go to church,” John said. “Too busy.”

Landon realized that he hadn’t acknowledged everything John had done over the past few years, taking care of Casey after their mother died and while Landon was still serving overseas. But he had a plan for letting John know how grateful he was, and he’d put that plan in motion soon. For now though, he simply said, “Hey, I appreciate everything you did for Casey, working yourself to death and saving for his college.”

“I didn’t touch his college money to help with the farm. There has to be another way.” John glanced at Landon. “I thought you’d agree.”

John had handled so much on his own.

“I do agree. Casey needs to go to school, and we will save the farm.” Landon shook his head. “I should’ve come home after Mom died.”

“We aren’t going there again,” John said. “All of that ‘oldest child should’ve taken care of this or that’ stuff. You came home during the roughest part. That was the important thing.”

Their mother had never been the same after they lost their dad. He’d only been forty-one when he lost his arm in the hay baler and bled to death on one of the back fields. Their mother had become a widow overnight and had sunk into a depression equally as fast. But Landon hadn’t realized just how bad she was, that she’d given up on her life and turned her focus to pills to help her forget the pain...until he got that call in Afghanistan and came home for the funeral. John assured him he was fine on his own to raise their little brother and take care of the farm and then Landon went back to serve the remainder of his tour of duty. But now he wondered if he should’ve requested more than the allotted emergency leave.

“You did the right thing, going back,” John said, able to read Landon’s thoughts as well as he had when they were kids. “You were serving our country and fighting for our freedom, and there isn’t anywhere else you should’ve been.” He punched Landon’s arm. “And that’s as mushy as you’re gonna get from me, so let’s leave it at that.”

“Works for me,” Landon said, and thought that John would probably feel a bit mushy tomorrow too, but he’d wait until he actually took care of his surprise before he let his brother in on the fact. That was one thing about being away from his family and friends for so long. Landon was a bit more sentimental for it, appreciated life more, he supposed, and appreciated his brother’s hard work immensely. Until he returned home today, he had no idea John had been working three jobs to keep the farm afloat. John never said a word in his e-mails, and Casey never said much about anything but school and sports.

Nor had John told Landon how he’d saved enough money to pay for all of Casey’s college education. Or how Casey’s auto accident last year had been the result of alcohol. No, John took care of all of that and simply told Landon after the fact, along with the news that Casey had fallen for Nadia and consequently found God through his relationship with Brother Henry’s granddaughter.

Thank You, Lord, for Nadia. And thank You, Lord, for John. Help me to never forget everything he’s done over the past few years for our family. And Lord, if it be Your will, let us find a way to save our farm.

“Here we are,” John said, leading Landon toward the back of Nelson’s Variety Store. “Look familiar?”

“Smells familiar.” Landon got a full whiff of the hamburgers from the five-and-dime. Then he heard an abundance of squawking geese and remembered how they always gathered around the three-tiered fountain that centered the square. “Sounds familiar too.”

“Yeah, those noisy birds are kind of taking over for some reason. They had an article on it in the paper,” John said. “I’ve only been down here twice this year when I was getting Casey’s senior portraits set up, but I try to stay in touch with what’s going on through the paper and the church bulletins.”

Landon nodded, reminded again of how much John had done over the years he’d been gone. His brother wasn’t trying to gain admiration, though. On the contrary, John was merely stating the facts about his life. John was like that, always spouting his thoughts in black and white, which is why it didn’t surprise Landon when he didn’t hold back his opinion about Landon’s life either.

With one hand on the Nelson’s door handle, John waited before entering the store.

“What’s up?” Landon asked.

His brother looked back at him. “You never got over her, huh? After all these years?”

For someone who didn’t want to get all mushy, John sure pushed the limit, and if Landon started talking about how much he hadn’t gotten over her, they’d go well beyond mushy. He might be pushing thirty now, but not only had he never gotten over Georgie, in his heart he didn’t know if any other female would ever do. He’d always compare them to the girl he loved, and no one measured up. Wasn’t fair to do a girl that way. Wasn’t fair to do himself that way either.

“We going to get one of those hamburgers I’m smelling or not?” he asked, and his brother had the courtesy to nod and stop probing.

“Sure.”

In no time at all they were seated at one of the red vinyl booths with Casey and Nadia. Landon had embraced his youngest brother in a hug that he was fairly certain would’ve embarrassed him years ago, but something had changed in Casey and he hugged Landon just as tightly and told him he loved him, while Nadia beamed at her boyfriend.

“He talks about you often,” she told Landon. Then she smiled and added, “Thank you for serving our country.”

Landon was drawn to the pretty Asian girl’s sweet smile, her honest admiration for his service and the way she made Casey’s face light up with unhidden love. “I enjoyed serving,” he said, “but I’ll admit I’m glad to be home.”

She nodded, and the four of them chatted over burgers, mostly about Casey’s plans for heading to the University of Alabama on Monday. Landon tried not to stare at his baby brother, but he couldn’t help it. John had sent photos over the years, but there was something so different about seeing Casey in person. He was a carbon copy of Landon and John, almost eerily so, with light brown hair that was a little longer than Landon would’ve liked, but probably right in tune with what was “in” for teens nowadays, a broad-shouldered build that said he worked out regularly and loved sports as much as his older brothers, deep dimples creasing both cheeks and a smile that said he was happy with life and with his place in this world. Or at least with his place right now, sitting beside Nadia.

“Hey, if you aren’t going to eat that, I will,” Casey said, pointing to the rest of Landon’s hamburger and fries.

Landon had been enjoying the conversation and seeing his family so much that he’d stopped eating. He grinned, pushed the plate forward. “Have at it.”

Within minutes, Casey inhaled the rest of Landon’s meal while Nadia chatted about how much she enjoyed her job at the photography studio.

“Carter Photography?” Landon asked, remembering Mia and Mandy Carter. Mia had been a year behind Landon in school and in the same grade as John. Mandy had been several years younger. And Landon recalled John’s e-mail about the tragedy in their family last year. “Who owns it now that Mia passed away?”

“Mandy is running it now,” John said. “I don’t guess I ever told you, but she married Daniel Brantley, and they’ve adopted Mia and Jacob’s son, Kaden.”

“You don’t say.” Landon was amazed at how much things had changed. Then again, he’d seen the ultimate change this afternoon in Georgie. He knew it was a long shot, but he had to find out if Casey knew more about her return home than John. “I rode over to the Sanders farm today. Georgiana was there.”

Casey’s dark brows lifted. “Wow, I’d nearly forgotten about her, it’s been so long since I’ve seen anyone over there but Mrs. Sanders. Seems like forever since Georgiana used to come spend time at the farm with you guys, but I remember her. She had long red hair and rode her horse over about every day.”

Landon should have realized that Casey wouldn’t know anything about Georgiana’s return. Casey had only been ten when she left Claremont. He probably remembered a pretty older girl who came out to the farm to visit, nothing more, nothing less.

“Ms. Mandy took her little girl’s picture yesterday,” Nadia said.

“Georgiana’s little girl?” Landon hadn’t expected to get any information from Nadia.

She nodded, shiny black hair bobbing with the action. “Yes, her name is Abi, isn’t it?”

“It is. You said she was at the photography studio?”

“Mrs. Sanders brought her in to have her picture made for her piano recital. Mrs. Camp likes to make a program with all of the performers’ pictures, you know. She did that when I took piano lessons from her too. Abi’s a really pretty little girl, with all of those red curls and freckles, isn’t she?”

Landon recalled how much she looked like Georgiana. “Yes, she is.”

“She’s been coming to church with Mrs. Sanders the past couple of weeks.”

“Abi has?” Landon asked.

Nadia nodded. “I’ve seen them there on Sunday mornings.”

“But not Georgiana?” Landon asked. Georgie had attended church every time the doors were open when she was growing up.

“No, I haven’t met Abi’s mother yet.”

Landon was baffled. What had happened to Georgie while he’d been gone?

“You done?” John asked, tossing his napkin on the table. “We could go check out the square, not that all that much has changed since you’ve been gone.”

“It’d still be nice to see everything again.” And in the back of his mind, Landon wondered if he’d see Georgiana too. Her mother and daughter had mentioned shopping tonight at the square.

Casey snagged a fry from Nadia’s plate, popped it in his mouth and swallowed. “Sounds good to me,” he said. “Okay for you?” he asked Nadia, who smiled and nodded.

They paid for their meal and then headed out to the town square. Landon studied everything as they started down the sidewalk. Night had settled in, so the tiny lights bordering each building’s eaves cast the streets in a yellow tint. Children laughed around the splashing fountain, and several elderly couples sat on park benches tossing bread to the noisy geese. A family exited the Sweet Stop as Landon passed the doorway and a gust of sugary air hit him full force. He remembered Abi saying that she was going to the candy store and glanced in to see if Georgie was inside.

She wasn’t.

“Casey and I went there earlier for some of the divinity. And they were making peanut brittle,” Nadia said.

“I told Nadia we’d go back later and get that for dessert,” Casey said, grinning. “Figured the divinity was an appetizer to our dinner.”

“And since you ate your dinner and a bit of everyone else’s,” John said, “you definitely will need dessert.”

“Yep, I will,” Casey agreed, laughing.

Landon loved this, spending time with family. He’d missed it more than he realized. And he wondered what kind of family life Georgiana had now. Her father had passed away over a decade ago. Her mother had primarily been in Claremont, visiting Tampa occasionally, but not seeing her daughter a whole lot from what John had said. And Georgiana had been in Tampa with Pete and Abi...blind.

What had she been limited to because of her loss of sight? Had Pete helped her adjust to her blindness? Had he been the type of loving, supportive husband he should have been? Landon recalled the Pete he knew in high school, always wanting the best and not wanting anything that was less than perfect. He’d always said Georgiana Sanders was “absolutely perfect.” Landon had thought so too, but now he wondered if Pete still saw her in that light.

“There’s Mr. Brantley and his friends,” Nadia said, indicating a group of guys standing on the sidewalk outside of Carter Photography. She waved, and Chad Martin tossed up his hand with a smile, then his brows lifted, his smile broadened and he yelled, “Landon! Had no idea you were home, buddy. Is this it? You home for good?”

“Home for good.” Landon closed the distance between them and gladly accepted several hugs and pats on the back from his old friends.

“Man, it’s been a long time,” Daniel said.

“Too long,” Landon agreed.

They visited, and he couldn’t help but notice that he felt a little lost in local happenings and with life in general. He knew that often happened to guys that were in the service, but he’d never really thought about the possibilities of what might happen in eight years. Many of his friends had not only married, but also started having kids. Georgiana had as well, and she’d lost her sight. The pain and shock of that just wouldn’t go away.

The group caught up on everything that had happened over the past few years, but Landon’s mind hovered on Georgie. He tried to maintain a polite interest in the conversation but also kept a keen eye tuned around the square for the sight of that gorgeous redhead.

Within minutes, he saw the striking red hair, even if on a smaller beauty.

“Hey, Miss Mandy!” Abi yelled. Her curly strawberry pigtails bounced wildly against her shoulders as she sprinted toward the group and directed her question to Mandy Brantley. “Are my pictures ready yet?”

“Abi, it’s great to see you again.” Mandy touched one of the little girl’s pigtails. “You just had your pictures made yesterday. Remember how I said it’d take a few days?”

“Yes, I remember, but I asked Grandma if I could come check, and she said yes. And I wanted to ask you about helping us tonight anyway. ’Cause we brought Mommy tonight for the first time for her to come to this town, and she needs some new shoes to go with the new dress we got her to wear to my piano recital, but Grandma doesn’t know a whole bunch about cute shoes. And I told her how you had on cute shoes when you took my pictures. And you have cute shoes now too.” She pointed to Mandy’s colorful sandals.

“Thank you,” Mandy said.

“So do you want to help us find Mommy some cute shoes while we’re in town? We’ve been looking, but I can’t decide. And neither can Grandma.” Then, as though she just noticed the other people standing around with Mandy, she explained, “Grandma and I help Mommy pick stuff out so she can have the right colors and match it and all. Mommy says that’s my important job, helping her pick the colors out. I know my colors, but I don’t know kinds of shoes that good yet.” She scanned the faces in the group, then stopped, hazel eyes popping when she got to Landon. “Hey, Mr. Landon! I didn’t know you were coming to town too. Did you ride your horse?”

The whole group laughed, while Landon grinned. “Not tonight, Abi.” He glanced behind her to find Georgiana and Eden, but a group of brawny teens wearing Claremont football jerseys hid his view. “So where are your Grandma and Mommy now?”

The football team moved toward and then past the group, and sure enough, Eden and Georgiana were right behind them.

“There they are!” Abi said, grinning and pointing.

Georgiana, now wearing a yellow floral sundress, green sweater and sandals, looked even prettier than she did back in high school. Her hair was no longer pulled up like it had been earlier, and it toppled in beautiful long swirls to reach her waist. He wanted to see her eyes, but she wore sunglasses in spite of the fact that it’d been dark for at least an hour.

“Hey, Mommy, I asked Miss Mandy if she’ll help us find cute shoes to go with the red dress.” She looked back to Mandy. “Are you gonna help us?”

Mandy laughed. “I’d love to.”

She talked about Abi’s photo shoot, but Landon barely heard their conversation. He was too busy examining Georgiana’s face and disposition. Her fingers were wrapped snugly around her mother’s forearm, he assumed to let Eden subtly lead her through the square. But then he noticed the tension in her forehead and the way her mouth seemed drawn and tight. And he noticed Eden did all of the talking, with Georgiana attempting to slide her mouth into a smile when appropriate. She looked anything but comfortable. In fact, Landon would say she looked miserable.

Then he realized Eden was helping her out by working the names of those present into her conversation. She didn’t announce the fact that Georgiana was blind, but subtly told her daughter the members of the group.

“It’s so good to see all of you together again,” Eden said. “Seems like forever ago since all of you hung around in high school. Daniel, Mandy, Mitch, Chad...and Landon.”

Landon didn’t miss the fact that Georgiana’s hand squeezed her mother’s forearm when Eden said his name. Why was she uncomfortable around him? And why had she tried to hide her blindness from him earlier today?

“So Mandy, would you want to come with us to shop for shoes?” Eden asked.

“Yes, would you?” Abi coaxed. “Please.”

“I’d sure appreciate the help,” Georgiana said softly, and Landon noticed that she turned toward Mandy when she spoke. He also noticed that the group exchanged glances, indicating that they realized Georgiana couldn’t see. Mandy obviously already knew, and it appeared Daniel did too, but Chad’s and Mitch’s faces didn’t disguise their shock, even if they managed to keep their smiles in place for Eden and Abi.

“Mandy’s always in the mood for shopping,” Daniel said.

“That’s right,” Mandy agreed, “and I’d love to go now.” She kissed Daniel, told him she’d be back in a little while, then asked, “So, do y’all have the dress with you?”

“Yep, it’s in that bag,” Abi said, pointing to a paper Consigning Women sack hanging from Eden’s arm.

“Then I guess we’re ready to go,” Mandy said.

“Nice running into all of you,” Georgiana added, then turned and walked away with her mother, Abi and Mandy.

A decade ago, Landon would have simply let her leave and then wondered why she seemed particularly uncomfortable around him or why she’d tried to hide her blindness from him this afternoon. But that was a decade ago. He’d lived a lot and learned a lot in the years between, and he wasn’t about to merely sit and wonder this time.

“Georgiana,” he called, and took the few steps to catch up to the group of females.

She paused, turned and waited.

Landon found himself swallowing through the automatic response to being face-to-face with her again. She’d always taken his breath away, and now he found it nearly hard to speak. But he would speak. And he would find out what had happened to her during the years they’d been apart.

“Yes?” she asked, a slight tremor in the single syllable.

“I’d like to come see you tomorrow at the farm, catch up on everything that’s happened to us since high school, if that’s okay.”

Eden and Mandy locked glances and gave each other soft smiles that made Landon wonder what they knew that he didn’t.

“Would that be okay?” he asked.

“I do riding lessons tomorrow,” Abi said. “Maybe you could come watch me.”

“I’d like that a lot,” he said to the pretty little girl, then looked up at her striking mother. “Is that okay with you, Georgiana?”

The slightest hint of panic slipped over her features, but she masked it quickly. She did not want to talk to Landon; he was sure of that. But he was equally certain that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

He took a step closer, leaned toward her ear and hoped the sounds of the geese squawking and people talking would drown out his whispered words. “Please, for old times. Let me come see you tomorrow. Spend some time with me, Georgie.” He said a quick, silent prayer, then added, “Say yes.”

Her slender throat pulsed as she swallowed. “Okay.”

Chapter Three

Every morning since she’d moved back to the farm, Georgiana woke bright and early, then made her way out to the barn to spend time talking to Fallon and to God. Today was no different, except the need for quiet time was even more intense after last night’s trip to the square.

Even though she hadn’t lived here in years, it hadn’t taken Georgiana long at all to remember everything, and consequently, she could easily make her way to the barn without need of her white cane. This was familiar. This was home.

As always, Fallon awaited her arrival, nickering softly when Georgiana neared her stall.

God, be with me today. You know how much I need your help. Keep me strong, Lord.

She’d actually enjoyed the majority of her time at the square last night, shopping with her mother, Abi and Mandy. For a while there, she felt normal again.

Georgiana let the comfort of the barn envelop her as she tenderly stroked the smooth lines of Fallon’s cheek and jaw. Fallon loved to be touched like this; that hadn’t changed over the years, and Georgiana enjoyed the smoothness of her pelt against her palm. Being with Fallon reminded her of the past, the good memories rather than the bad, and she relished these mornings with her gentle friend.

Soft footsteps approached and the crisp scent of coffee mixed with the usual scents of hay, leather and horse filling the barn.

“Georgiana, it’s me,” her mother said softly.

She smiled. “I know, Mom.”

“Thought you might want some coffee,” she said, and eased the mug handle into Georgiana’s palm.

“Thanks.” Georgiana sipped the coffee, exactly the way she liked it, two spoons of sugar and a dollop of French vanilla cream. “Delicious.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

Georgiana felt her mother’s arm reach past her to stroke Fallon. Fallon’s warmth shifted too, eager to accept a bit of loving from both women.

“Where’s Abi?”

“She wanted to eat her oatmeal and drink her coffee milk at the hearth while she watches Little Bear.”

“Right,” Georgiana said, knowing her daughter’s morning routine. The “coffee milk” portion had been added after they came to the farm. When Georgiana had been Abi’s age, that’d been her morning treat as well, a mug of mostly milk and a little bit of coffee and sugar that made her feel like a big girl. She remembered the special sensation associated with getting that mug from her mom each morning and was glad her daughter could experience the same thing.

“Dora comes on right after Little Bear, and she’ll want to watch that too,” Eden said.

Georgiana knew this, of course, but she also knew why her mother reminded her, so she would realize that they had a full hour to themselves to talk. She swallowed another sip of hot coffee, let the richness of it warm her stomach and calm her fears of asking her mother’s opinion. “Mom?”

“Yes?”

“I’m...I’m nervous about Landon coming over. Being around people I knew before, being around him—” she struggled for the right words “—it makes me—uncomfortable.”

She heard her mother take another sip of coffee, a nearly silent sound but one Georgiana easily recognized. Eden was undoubtedly taking a moment to think, to make sure she said exactly the right thing, the way she always did. Then she gently pushed Georgiana’s hair back from her shoulder and said, “Life would be rather boring if everything were always comfortable.”

Georgiana’s mouth quirked to the side. “Well, it certainly isn’t comfortable now, is it?”

“No, honey, it isn’t.” Eden continued running her palm down Georgiana’s hair in much the same way she did when Georgiana had been Abi’s age. She wanted to soothe Georgiana’s fears, put her at ease. But Georgiana wasn’t sure that was possible.

“Mom, I probably shouldn’t have told you what happened in the church that day. Nothing will change the fact that I ran away and had the wreck.” She touched Fallon again. “And I’m sure Landon doesn’t think I told anyone. He probably wouldn’t have wanted me to tell anyone.”

“Oh, sweetie, you know that isn’t true. Landon loved you, and he came to the church to tell you. The only reason he didn’t tell people himself is because you chose to still marry Pete. Even though your heart was thinking about someone else.”

“Mom, I loved Pete. I did.”

“Honey, I believe you. But there are different kinds of love. There’s the kind of love that’s, well, borderline infatuation. A little stronger than that, but still primarily fueled by the physical attraction you have for one another. And then there’s the kind of love that lasts, the kind of love that can endure the toughest of storms. Physical attraction as well, of course, but deeper. Much deeper.” She paused, then added, “Pete couldn’t handle the storms, Georgiana. That isn’t your fault, it’s his.”

“I couldn’t be the kind of wife he wanted anymore.” Georgiana’s heart ached with the admission. “He’s a partner in his firm. He has to make a statement to their clients and to the public in general. How was I supposed to blend with those country-club folks when I couldn’t see? I had no idea what they were wearing, no idea where they were going. Plus I’d just had Abi and wanted to be with my baby.”

“Honey, you don’t need to explain to me. If that boy would have been a real husband, he’d have built you up at your lowest point instead of kicking you down. And don’t you go defending him. I’ll always care about him because he’s Abi’s daddy, but I don’t think a thing of him for the way he treated my little girl.”

“Mom, please. What guy would have stayed?”

Eden didn’t miss a beat. “I can think of one.”

“You don’t know that. And I wouldn’t want anyone to stay with me out of pity.”

“Georgiana, Pete has brainwashed you into thinking no one would want you now. I saw the way Landon looked at you last night, and there wasn’t an ounce of pity to it. Longing maybe, but not pity.”

A tiny trickle of hope worked its way into Georgiana’s heart, but then just as quickly, she heard Pete’s words.

“Good Lord, Georgiana. Look at you. Your hair looks like a troll doll and your clothes look like something from thrift-store central. I’m taking you to mingle with my colleagues. I can’t take a wife that looks like that!” The sounds of slamming doors and several derogatory names Georgiana didn’t want to remember, then “Just forget it. I don’t want you there anyway. Charity, you can go home. We won’t need a babysitter tonight.” Then, to Georgiana, “You can still handle taking care of our daughter, can’t you?” Another slamming door. And another miserable night by herself with Abi as her only comfort.

“Mom, Landon wouldn’t want me now.”

“I’m not going to listen to that kind of talk. A moment ago, you were starting to believe what I was saying. That’s what you need to concentrate on, not everything that you heard from Pete. I mean that.”

“I don’t even know if Landon has someone in his life now. That is a possibility, you know. He could have married, had children...”

“Nope, and nope. He never married and didn’t have kids. You forget I see John at church and he watches the place for me anytime I’m gone.”

“You did not ask him if Landon had married.”

“Dear, Claremont is a small town. I ask if everyone has married. And who has had kids. And who has passed on. Actually, half the time you don’t even have to ask. It’s right there every Sunday in the church bulletin.”

“Nothing like gossip started in a church handout.”

“It isn’t gossip, dear. It’s the announcements,” Eden said, and Georgiana couldn’t hold back her laugh.

“I love you, Mom.”

“I know. I love you too.” Eden gave her a tender hug. “Now remember that you are a fine catch, and I’m betting that there’s a guy coming to see you today who knows that better than most.”

“But Mom, you’ve forgotten the other problem with Landon and me talking again.”

“What’s that?”

“He still doesn’t know what caused my blindness.”

“So he’ll ask, and you’ll tell him,” Eden said, as though that were all there was to it. But surely she knew it wasn’t that easy.

“And then he’ll blame himself.”

“Honey, God has his reasons for everything that happens in life. And He had a reason for what happened on that day. That’s what you’ll have to tell Landon.”

“Then pray that he doesn’t blame himself? And pray just as hard that he doesn’t blame me for not telling him?”

“He told you he loved you,” her mother reminded. “Do you honestly think those feelings are gone?”

“Until yesterday we hadn’t seen or spoken to each other in eight years. That’s hardly what people do if they love each other.” She finished her coffee, placed the empty mug on the top of the rail.

“He left because you chose Pete.”

“And it’s like you said, everything happens for a reason.”

Her mother was silent for a moment, then whispered. “Georgiana?”

“Yes?”

“I think you’re right. And if everything does happen for a reason, then I have to believe that Landon’s return to Claremont right after you came home happened for a reason.”

Georgiana wasn’t expecting that. “Things change in eight years. People change in eight years.”

“I saw it in his eyes last night, Georgiana. He still cares about you. To what extent, I don’t know, but he definitely still cares.”

Georgiana wished she could’ve seen Landon’s eyes, and she decided to ask the question she was dying to have answered. “Mom, about Landon.”

“What about him?”

“What does he look like now? I mean, has he changed since high school, or does he still look the same?” She’d wondered ever since she heard that rich baritone yesterday afternoon, because in her mind she pictured the same gorgeous boy she’d known way back then. But time might have changed his appearance, and though it wouldn’t change the way she felt about him, she was more curious than she cared to admit.

“Oh, he still looks the same as he did back then,” her mother said.

“Does he?”

“Well, I mean, for the most part,” Eden continued, and Georgiana could hear the smile in her tone. “He’s broader, more muscled up, I guess you’d say.”

“More muscled up?” That would be hard to accomplish, since he was at peak shape back in high school, the best running back Claremont ever had as far as she knew. Wide shoulders, lean waist and powerful thighs that he used skillfully whenever he needed another few yards to make a first down. Or a touchdown. Landon had made his share of touchdowns during his career at Claremont High. Two more than Pete. Georgiana knew because Pete often complained about the fact and spouted the three plays where he could have scored if his line had only done their job, which would have put him over Landon’s record.

“His hair is short too, army style,” her mother continued. “That’s the biggest difference, I guess, and he looks more like a man now, not a boy.”

Georgiana nodded, wishing she could have seen the man her mother described. She’d never seen Landon with short hair. He’d always kept it long and wavy. Having his hair away from his face probably drew more attention to the chiseled jaw and the gold in his eyes. Landon was the only person she’d ever seen with eyes that were truly amber, like honey in sunshine.

“Same deep dimples,” her mother said, still describing the guy that was slowly but surely controlling Georgiana’s every thought. “They should outlaw those Cutter dimples. All three of them have those dimples, and even women as old as me notice. Landon, John and even that young Casey.”

That made Georgiana laugh. “So you’re saying Landon’s still a decent body double for Matthew McConaughey?”

“I’d forgotten how you used to say that about him,” her mother said with a laugh, “but yes, he looks like him.”

Georgiana nodded, thought about the gorgeous guy who’d been her best friend.

The barn grew quiet, with both of them evidently reflecting on how things could have been so different.

“Georgiana,” her mother finally said.

“Yes?”

“You should try again.”

She knew exactly what her mother was talking about, but still asked, “Try what?”

“Giving someone the chance to be there for you, to build you up instead of bring you down.”

“I did, Mom. Pete and I tried marriage counseling.”

“You tried marriage counseling.”

“He came off and on,” Georgiana said, then couldn’t stop herself from adding, “It was hard for him to deal with it all.”

“It was harder for you.”

Georgiana couldn’t argue with that. It was harder for her, no doubt. She was the one whose world had been upended, first with the move to Tampa and then with the loss of her sight and then finally with the abandonment of her husband. A triple whammy for sure.

“Honey, I know this hurts, but it needs to be said. Pete left that marriage before you ever went to that counselor. The minute you lost your sight, I’d say. There wasn’t anything left to save. I know that you feel like you don’t have anything to offer to another person, but you do. And it’s time for you to trust again, to trust someone not to break your heart.”

There was no point in being anything but honest. “I don’t think I can.”

“I’ve prayed for you to learn to trust again. And I honestly think God answered my prayers with Landon’s return home.”

“Mom,” Georgiana started, then decided to go ahead and tell her mother one part of the story she didn’t know. “When he came to see me that night at the hospital, I told him not to come back, that I didn’t want him in my life.”

Her mother cleared her throat. “Well, now, it looks like he didn’t listen.”

“What do you mean?” Georgiana asked, then she heard what her mother must have already seen. A horse’s steady gallop in the distance growing louder by the second. “I’m not even dressed to see anyone yet. I can’t see him now. I thought he said something about seeing Abi at her riding lessons. Surely he knows that’d be later in the day.” When Eden offered no response, Georgiana prompted, “Mom?”

“I’m going to head inside and check on Abi,” she said, then added in a whisper, “He’s the answer to my prayer, Georgiana. Let him help you.”

“Wait,” Georgiana pleaded, but her mother’s footsteps steadily left the barn.

God, please, stay with me now. Help me, Lord. Keep me strong.

She reached out for Fallon, but the horse had obviously moved to the paddock, probably because she heard the other horse approaching. “Fallon? Come here, girl.” She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and hoped her horse cooperated. She didn’t want to simply stand here and wait for Landon to enter the barn. She needed to be busy, needed to be doing something. “Fallon?”

But Fallon didn’t answer, and all Georgiana heard was the other horse’s steps easing to a stop. And then a bit of rustling as Landon obviously climbed off and tied Sam up. Slow and steady footsteps cautiously approached her in the barn. And Georgiana could do nothing but wait for the inevitable, being completely and totally alone with Landon.

Chapter Four

During Landon’s time of service, he’d faced suicide bombers, roadside bombs and rockets hitting nearby. Throughout each and every harrowing situation, he’d controlled his fear. But right now, in an Alabama barn with Georgiana, he trembled.

Her hair toppled long and wild and free down her back, a mass of golden strawberry curls. She wore a pale blue T-shirt, gray plaid pajama pants, a charcoal fleece jacket and pink work boots. She faced him now but didn’t see him, and that realization pierced his heart.

He swallowed thickly, determined to control his voice and hide the emotion wreaking havoc over his soul. “Georgie, we need to talk.”

She blinked, moistened her mouth, then turned back toward the stall where Fallon had reentered and moved back to her owner. Georgiana’s hand reached for the mare, and Fallon positioned her silky white mane against her palm. “I didn’t think you would come this early,” she said, and he noticed not only the tremor in her voice but also the shudder in her hand as she stroked Fallon’s mane.

“I remembered how you always woke up early to see Fallon, and since I was up too, I rode over.” He decided it best to keep his distance, because she was obviously uncomfortable with his arrival and because he didn’t know if he could control himself to merely touch her without embracing her, without holding her the way he’d dreamed of holding her each and every night in the heat of battle. He’d thought he would never have that chance, because she was Pete’s, but he suspected that was no longer the case. What had Pete done to ruin their marriage?

“You used to hate getting up early in high school,” she said.

“That’s because I wasn’t a fan of having so much to do around the farm before I went to the morning football workouts. For most of the team, that was their first work of the day. I’d already been sweating hard for a couple of hours by the time I got to the field house.” He shrugged. “That came in handy when I went to basic training though, so I shouldn’t have complained.” He stopped a few feet away from Georgiana. Fallon stepped toward him and sniffed his sleeve. “And I’m still adjusting to the time difference too, so my sleep is sporadic.”

“What is the time difference?”

“We’re nine and a half hours behind Kabul,” he said. “Kind of throws off your sleep schedule.”

“I bet it does.” She continued stroking Fallon. “How was it over there? I mean, in general, what’s it like? You hear things on the news, but I’ve never talked to anyone who has actually been there.”

Landon hated this, making small talk when he wanted to delve into what they both were thinking, but he also hated the fact that she was apparently scared about this conversation. He hoped and prayed it was only the conversation and not him.

“Kabul. That’s in Afghanistan?” she continued.

“Yeah. I was there a while, as well as a few other areas over the years. I spent some time in Kuwait. Some in Iraq. Mostly Afghanistan though.”

“There’ve been a lot of injuries there,” she said, then added, “a lot of deaths.”

Landon nodded. He’d lost three of his best friends. Their names and death dates were now tattooed on the inside of his left wrist, but Georgie couldn’t see that. She’d never see that. Then he realized she also couldn’t see him nod and said, “Yes, there have been a lot of deaths. Way too many.”

“Were you ever...” she started, then squinted as she reached again for Fallon. “Did anything happen to you over there? Were you ever hurt?”

He’d never lied to her before. He wouldn’t start now. “Just once.”

Her hand stopped stroking Fallon’s mane, and she pivoted a little, providing Landon with a full display of her beauty, red-gold hair framing a heart-shaped face and showcasing an adorable sprinkling of faint copper freckles on her nose and cheeks...and those exquisite hazel eyes. He studied the full mouth that he’d kissed only once and the cheekbones that made her face automatically give the impression that she was about to smile, even if she wasn’t.

Landon wondered how long it’d been since she released that ample smile he’d always loved. Or the laugh that echoed from her very soul. Even though she looked as though she could smile, she also had a tone that said she wouldn’t, that maybe she couldn’t. Her face portrayed a distance, an invisible wall, and Landon didn’t think it was entirely because of her blindness.