Returning Home Read online

  Table of Contents

  Introduction

  Sam

  Luke

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Riann C. Miller

  Meeting The Unpredictable

  Returning Home

  Riann C. Miller

  Copyright © 2017 Riann C. Miller.

  All rights reserved.

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products, bands, and/ or restaurants referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/ use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. An original version of this book was previously published in The Butterfly Box: A SASS Anthology. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  * * *

  Editing by Kellie Montgomery

  Cover Design by Just Write Creations

  Interior design by Riann C. Miller

  Contents

  Introduction

  1. Sam

  2. Luke

  3. Sam

  4. Luke

  5. Sam

  6. Luke

  7. Sam

  8. Luke

  9. Sam

  10. Luke

  11. Sam

  12. Luke

  13. Sam

  14. Luke

  15. Sam

  16. Luke

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Riann C. Miller

  Meeting The Unpredictable

  Introduction

  At fifteen, I fell in love with Luke Runyan.

  * * *

  With just one look, one touch, he became my world until he shattered my heart into a million pieces. No one meets their soulmate when they’re only a kid, yet convincing my heart to move on is a task I never mastered.

  * * *

  My heart has only ever belonged to one woman, Samantha Harris.

  * * *

  Sam had dreams; dreams I couldn’t deliver, which left me with only one choice… I walked away.

  * * *

  Whoever said time heals all wounds never lost the love of their life. And they don’t force you back to the same small town you’ve spent your entire adult life avoiding, especially when she’s everywhere you turn.

  Sam

  Staring out the window at the dark grey skies, thunder rumbles off in the distance.

  “We don’t have enough home health nurses in this area, Sam. I’m sorry but you’re stuck.” My pulse spikes but instead of arguing, I turn around and grab the envelope my boss is holding.

  “I’m a believer in everything happening for a reason. Maybe this is fate's’ way of giving you exactly what you need?”

  A rush of anger has me glaring at the woman who signs my paychecks. “Fate is a bitch that’s never particularly liked me.”

  Instead of being mad, Judy laughs. “Take this opportunity for what it’s worth then and finally close the door you two left open.”

  Determined not to allow anyone, especially a man I don’t give a damn about get to me, I turn and race out of her office. I stop by my desk long enough to grab my purse then I dart out to my truck. Another loud clap of thunder rumbles seconds before rain pours from the sky, soaking through my clothes and into my skin. Pushing the button on my key fob, I blow out a frustrated breath before jumping into my truck, soaking wet.

  Twelve years ago, the man I thought I would marry, broke my heart and left town without even saying goodbye. Our relationship wasn’t what I believed and when life dealt him an unexpected hand, he bailed on every promise he made and enrolled in the army. Now he’s back home and hurt and I’m the nurse stuck providing his home health care.

  If I didn’t already know life could be cruel, then being assigned Luke Runyan’s case is all the proof I need.

  My eyes naturally move to the diner door, when the bell rings. I nervously swallow while my blood pressure spikes as two boys, ones I’ve never seen before, step inside. They look like they might be brothers. One appears slightly older than the other. They’re both blond and extremely tall but it’s the older boy with unruly hair who’s verging on becoming a man who’s captured my attention. He hasn’t even looked my direction yet my heart is beating like a drum. Without pause, they walk to the counter and take a seat.

  Mumbled conversations sing through the diner while my eyes remain glued to a boy who’s laughing at something the guy next to him said.

  Go introduce yourself… I chant those words over and over in my head but I make no attempt to get up.

  When the bell on the door sounds again, both of their heads turn. This time it’s Val, my best friend, who walks in. My heart sinks to my stomach watching the way the older one studies every step Val takes until his eyes reach my table, and quickly my gaze darts away.

  “Who are the hotties at the counter?” Val asks with a laugh, taking a seat across from me.

  “I have no idea.”

  She cocks her head to the side, boldly watching them. “Well, they’ve definitely noticed you, at least one of them has.”

  “What?” I glance toward the counter where my eyes instantly connect with a set of whiskey colored eyes.

  “Well damn. I didn’t even get the chance to introduce myself and it appears that Mr. Bad Boy himself is off the market.”

  The older boy hops off the bar stool and jaunts toward our table, never once taking his eyes off mine. He’s wearing a tight black T-shirt that hugs his biceps paired with dark jeans and black boots. His wavy hair curls around his ears but it’s the turbulent glow in his dark eyes that won’t allow me to look away.

  “Hello,” he greets once he’s standing next to our table. He could be talking to either of us, but he’s staring straight at me. I swallow several times, attempting to find my voice.

  “This is Sam,” Val finally answers for me. “And you are?”

  His focus never leaves mine when he answers, “I’m Luke.”

  He slides into the booth next to me, grabs a fry and dips it in my milkshake. “So, Sam. What are you doing later?”

  Growing up in a small rural town means everything is everyone’s business or at least people try to make it that way. I didn’t even make it out of the grocery store without a handful of sympathetic looks, which only fuels my anger because pity is the last thing I want.

  “Are you picking up Margie’s usual order today, Ms. Harris?” My body stiffens. From the second I heard that Luke was back in town, I’ve momentarily forgotten my normal boring life. “Oh, umm, yes.”

  “I figured as much.” The teenaged clerk smiles. “I’ll bill her account and have a boy run it out to your truck.”

  “Thanks.”

  Dodging the puddles in the parking lot, I take the few groceries I purchased out to my truck, allowing my mind to wander.

  At the ripe age of fifteen,
I met the man of my dreams and fell in love. Everyone—especially my father—told me that I was too young to fall in love, but I didn’t listen to anyone who disagreed with me.

  Luke Runyan was only three months older than me and gorgeous by anyone’s standards. He had his pick of girls at our school but somehow I caught his eye and when that happened, nothing slowed us down.

  Luke had a wild side. He enjoyed pushing every limit that was set for him but he was always easy going and composed around me. We were in love and I couldn’t imagine a life without him. I figured we’d go to college hopefully together, then afterward we’d get married and start a family. But Luke didn’t feel the same way and in the end, I was the one left behind to pick up the shattered pieces of our relationship.

  Juggling the bags in my hands, I manage to get the back door open. My stomach grumbles from the sweet smell of warm cookies.

  I place the bags on the counter, ready to swipe a cookie from a cooling rack when Margie walks into the kitchen.

  “Oh, you came. I wasn’t sure if you’d bring my order this week.”

  “I don’t bail on people; you should know that by now.”

  I wince when her mouth turns down with a frown.

  “I don’t know what I would do without you, Sam. I guess I was just worried things would change now.”

  I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look nearly as fake as it feels. “Nothing is going to change unless of course, you want it to.”

  She limps in my direction and pulls me in for a hug. I lost my mother when I was five and over the years, Margie has filled the void I’ve felt. Losing her isn’t an option, at least not one I can live with.

  “I would understand if you didn’t want to come by.”

  I open my mouth, ready to reply when he walks into the kitchen. The second Luke spots me he freezes, both of our bodies going stiff.

  Margie’s eyes follow mine until they stop on her son. “Oh, I thought you were taking a nap.” Her voice shakes, probably expecting all hell to break loose, but I’m not about to act like a crazy ex-girlfriend.

  “I couldn’t sleep.” Luke’s deep voice rumbles through me. He looks the same, just bigger, harder, tougher compared to the eighteen-year-old I remember.

  I clear my throat and my wandering thoughts. “I didn’t check your order before bringing it to you. If you’re missing anything, let me know.” I lean forward, giving Margie a quick kiss on the cheek. “Have a great day.” Without looking at either of them, I swiftly walk out the back door.

  My entire life has been one messy situation after another. I shouldn’t be surprised that Luke of all people would return home and somehow magically become my patient, but damn if I don’t hate my new reality.

  Luke

  Drawing in a deep breath, I ask, “What was she doing here?”

  Mom glance at me, her eyes burning into mine. “Sam brings my groceries to the house every Monday.”

  Regret wraps around my heart, leaving me breathless. Samantha Harris is the only woman I’ve ever loved. When life gave me more than I could handle, I left Sam behind. She didn’t need the struggles my life would’ve given her. A day hasn’t passed that I haven’t thought about her. Seeing her now, she’s just a beautiful as I remember. Her long black hair, even wet, falls to the middle of her back. Her tan skin made my mouth water but her hazel eyes weren’t shimmering the way I remember when we were kids. I’d give almost anything to know the details of her life, but I won’t ask. I don’t deserve to know.

  “Sam started taking care of me when the doctor said I couldn’t drive anymore.” I can hear the caution in her voice. She’s expecting me to be mad but, how can I? My mother needed support and I wasn’t here to provide it. “I’m glad she was able to help.”

  Mom places a hand over her heart and smiles. “What sounds good for dinner? I’ll fix you anything you want.”

  An ice-cold beer and a quiet room are what I want, but I’ve shut my mother out for years. If I want to make up for the years of pain I’ve caused everyone, I need to start by giving her what she wants… a relationship with her only living son. “Anything you want to fix will be fine.”

  After grabbing a beer from the fridge, I take a seat at the kitchen table while she messes with browning meat on the stove. I try and fail to force my mind away from Sam, but damn. Seeing her brings back more feelings than I was expecting. Sam was my everything… and I’d give anything in my power to go back in time and make her understand. Instead, I’m stuck here in this town with the woman I love and fuck, I hate even thinking about it, but she’s more than likely married. With that thought, the lingering taste of beer on my tongue turns bitter.

  “A lot has changed in Jasper since you left. Most of the kids you graduated high school with have moved away but a few of them are still around.”

  “Including Samantha Harris.” The second her name slips out of my mouth I want to take the words back. Mom is the last person I want to discuss Sam with but unfortunately, it seems she knows her better than I do and I have so many questions bouncing around in my head.

  “Sam’s father Eddie still runs the feed mill outside of town. After she graduated, she returned home to take care of Eddie and—.” Mom cuts herself off and turns away from me. Unsure of why she stopped talking, I decide it’s about time I do something to make up for years of acting indifferent. For making her wonder if I gave a damn.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to take care of you after you got sick.”

  “Nonsense.” She waves off my comment. "You had a war to fight. What you’ve given to our country is priceless in my book.”

  A sharp pain racked through me. The military life wasn’t my dream, it was my brother’s and it somehow turned into my mother’s. After everything I did, signing with the army was the least I could do.

  “Brian Dickerson is still in town, although he’s been married and divorced twice already. He’s the president of the bank.”

  Outside of my mother and Sam, I don’t give a damn about anyone left in this town. Until ten minutes ago, I didn’t even know Sam lived in Jasper. I had hoped she’d get out and make something of herself, but I should’ve known her love for her father wouldn’t have allowed her to leave any longer than it took to earn a degree.

  “Erin Rogers moved home a few years ago after she divorced her husband and Todd Martin still lives in town.” I down a large gulp of beer.

  In Jasper, Kansas, everyone knows everyone and once upon a time I thought I cared about most of the people in this town, but not anymore. I’m still paying the ultimate price for a night that ruined my life.

  “The VA doctor who was treating you arranged for a nurse to come out and help with your shoulder.”

  I groan. “I don’t need a fucking nurse.”

  Mom’s eyes dart to my left arm, still currently in a sling. After three surgeries I don’t have complete use of my shoulder and I’ve been told I never will. Hopefully, after physical therapy, I should be able to ditch the sling and have enough movement in my arm to live a normal life, but I’ll never be an active soldier again. My trigger finger still works but where the army is considered, I’m nothing more than a fucking liability.

  Mom laughs. “I’m sure you don’t want me in the shower trying to help you bathe.”

  My nose turns up at the thought. “That doesn’t mean I want a stranger helping me either.”

  With a frustrated sigh, she turns back to the stove. I knew returning home was going to be an adjustment but I didn’t sign up for this. I don’t want to make my mom’s life harder and I don’t want anyone in this town’s help.

  “Everything will be fine, Luke. Just wait and see.” Mom looks over her shoulder and gives me a heartwarming smile. At the very least, she believes that crap she spewed but I know better. I gave up the life I wanted, for the life I needed and now I don’t have either.

  Sam

  “Dad, I’m home,” I shout, carrying the groceries into the kitchen. My mind wants to wander back to Luke
but I refuse to allow that man to take up anymore space in my head. He doesn’t deserve it.

  “Hey, sweetheart.”

  Time hasn’t been that kind to my father. He’s sixty-one and physically should have retired by now. His body can’t take much more but I worry that his mind won’t be the same if he gives up the only thing he knows. “I’m about to fix dinner if you’re hungry?”

  “You know me I can always eat.” Leaning against the counter, he chuckles and pats his stomach.

  I know Dad heard the news of Luke Runyan’s return but we’ve yet to discuss it. For some reason, Dad has always hated him. At first, I thought he was acting like a typical overly protective father but now fifteen years later, I know it’s more than that. Dad likes Margie, just not Luke.

  “I might as well tell you before you hear it from someone else…” I pause, gearing up for the battle that’s sure to come. “I was assigned Luke Runyan’s home healthcare.”

  His eyes tighten but otherwise, he remains silent.

  “I know what you’re thinking but don’t worry. I’m not going to fall for him again.”

  His shoulders slump. “Sam, that man survived twelve years in the army. He served four tours overseas. From what I’ve heard, he’s not the same messed up teenager he once was.”

  My mouth drops open from shock. “But you hate Luke. You always have.”

  His eyes painfully close. When they open again, they’re softer, kinder than I ever remember seeing. “I didn’t want you to hitch your train to his is all. Sam, you had the whole world to discover and you were ready to give that up for some kid that made promises he couldn’t keep.”