Love Reunited

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.