Georgia Summer

by Heather Colleen

  Landon glanced back at them over his shoulder, but didn’t show any emotion as he looked Jace up and down, registering his appearance. Turning back to face Georgia, he spoke up as the rest of Jace’s crew passed behind him, well within earshot, “I think my handiwork was a sizeable improvement, don’t you agree?”

  Georgia choked down a nervous giggle, not knowing how to respond. She prayed that Jace and his crew hadn’t heard Landon.

  Luckily, they didn’t seem to as they headed over to one of the empty booths, predictably opting for the one right next to the high school girls. Jace and one of his friends sat down, leaning over the booth partition so they could chat up the girls, while two of the other guys stood in front of the booth, making casual conversation with the all-too-gleeful girls who coquettishly batted their lashes at them.

  Georgia went back to brewing Landon’s cappuccino and filled the pitcher with milk. As she foamed the milk, Landon observed her intently. He hadn’t forgotten about yesterday. He watched her as he replayed yesterday’s events in his mind, admiring her slim figure and long legs, and remembering how she had stood on the bank of Sage River like a tall drink of water. Yes, he had peeked when he wasn’t supposed to be looking. Georgia was a beauty, and yet she had no idea. Landon liked that about her. Even when she wasn’t around, Landon couldn’t keep his thoughts from straying back to her again and again. Thoughts of how she looked at him with a childlike curiosity, or the way she bit her lip as she considered something. How she was quick to smile, and the way her dark blue eyes seemed to sparkle when he held her in the water. Try as he might, he just couldn’t get his mind off of Georgia Summer.

  “Here you go.” Georgia slid the freshly brewed cappuccino across the counter to him.

  Landon looked down at the drink, inhaling the heady aroma of the rich espresso, and admiring the perfect blanket of foam on top. “Well done,” he said approvingly, taking a sip of the cappuccino. He watched Georgia smile, radiant from his praise.

  Georgia’s eyes suddenly darted away from his to look over his shoulder, her smile melting fast.

  Landon didn’t follow her gaze, knowing full well what she was looking at as two of Jace’s friends came up to him on both sides of his barstool.

  Georgia froze, watching the three of them. This couldn’t be good, she thought to herself. Instinctively, she reached down and patted her pocket where she now kept the pepper spray, feeling the hard canister through the fabric of her pants.

  “Well, if it isn’t Landon Young,” the burlier of the two said as he came up on Landon’s right and leaned against the counter, facing Landon. He was a beefy looking kid with bushy eyebrows and a stocky build.

  Landon didn’t look up right away, and kept his eyes down.

  “We heard about what happened at the park. Yeah, Jace filled us in,” the burlier one said. He looked down at his dirty fingernails, inspecting them. “Sounds like you haven’t changed at all since high school. You’re always into some kind of trouble, aren’t you, Young?” The boy waited for Landon to say something. “You were just as messed up then as you are now,” he added, glancing over at Landon to gauge his reaction.

  Landon didn’t give him the pleasure of a reaction, though. Instead, he casually set his cappuccino down on the saucer. He leaned back, looking up at the guy on his right and then to the one on his left. “And if it isn’t Jed and Bobby Joe. I see things haven’t changed much for the two of you either since high school."

  The shorter of the two, Bobby Joe, spoke up, “And what’s that supposed to mean?” He tried to sound tough, but the edge of uncertainty in his voice revealed otherwise.

  Landon held his hands up disarmingly. “Oh, nothing. It’s just that you two have always been so inseparable. It’s kind of cute, you know?” Landon paused and took a sip of his cappuccino. Setting it down, he asked nonchalantly, “You two goin’ steady these days?”

  Georgia almost fainted when she heard that question. She could feel the tension in the room rising fast as waves of anger rolled off of Jed and Bobby Joe.

  The burlier one, Jed, cracked his knuckles, while Bobby Joe stepped closer to Landon. “You'd better watch it, Young,” Bobby Joe said menacingly.

  Landon looked up at him, an amused smile across his face. “You think so?”

  “It’s too bad your daddy can’t get you out of trouble anymore like he used to,” Jed taunted, sneering as he leaned in closer to Landon’s face.

  At the mention of his father, Landon instantly stood up, drawing himself to his full height as he towered over the two. The pair looked quite small now as they looked up at Landon, who was easily three or four inches taller and far more built than the two of them combined.

  Georgia heard the girls gasp with glee as they watched from the safety of their booth. They would have loved a rumble at the diner for entertainment. Georgia held her breath, not knowing what to say or do. She wished Duke would walk by, or that she could somehow de-escalate the situation. She looked over at Duke, who was completely absorbed in an animated conversation with some of his regulars on the other side of the diner, his back to them.

  Landon gazed down at the two, his top lip lifted ever so slightly as he looked at them disdainfully. “If you say one more thing about my father, I’ll put you both through that window, along with your other little friends,” Landon said, his voice low as he gestured to the window over the booth where Jace and the others sat.

  Georgia noted the way his biceps flexed threateningly as he lifted his arm.

  Jed and Bobby Joe cowered, not saying anything. They knew they were no match for a Marine.

  “That’s what I thought,” Landon said, lowering his arm. He leaned down a little closer to their terrified faces and spoke again, this time more softly. “If I were you, I’d get out of my sight. NOW,” he said, raising his voice just enough to spring the two boys into action.

  Practically tripping over each other as they stepped backwards, Jed and Bobby Joe skulked back to their booth where Jace was sitting.

  Jace had been watching the entire altercation, and his usual smirk had dissolved. He knew there was no way that he or his sidekicks could take on Landon Young, the outcast turned Marine.

  Landon took his seat again in front of Georgia. Seemingly unbothered by what had just happened, he took another sip of his drink. “Damn, that’s delicious,” he said appreciatively.

  Georgia raised an eyebrow, her expression perplexed as she tried to take in what had just happened. She shook her head. “I can’t believe those jerks,” she finally said.

  Landon shrugged at her comment. “I can.”

  “Have they always been like that?”

  Landon nodded. “Yes, unfortunately.” He frowned as he remembered their similar behaviors back in high school.

  “It’s pathetic,” she said, thinking of the comment they had made about Landon’s father.

  “Agreed.” Landon sighed. He drained the last of his cappuccino and set the empty cup down on the saucer.

  Georgia studied Landon as he finished his coffee, wondering about Jed’s comments. She opened her mouth to ask more about Landon’s high school days, but quickly snapped it shut. She could tell Landon didn’t want to talk about it anymore. She glanced up at the clock. Her shift had ended roughly seven minutes ago. She began to wipe down the espresso machine as Landon watched her.

  “You finished for the day?” he asked.

  Georgia nodded as she slid the milk back into the fridge. “Yep, all done for the day,” she said, sounding relieved. She straightened back up and called over to Duke, “See you later, Duke!” She waved at him.

  Duke was walking into the kitchen with a tray tucked under his arm. He waved back to her, smiling his toothy grin. "All right, Miss Georgia. Thanks!” He disappeared into the kitchen.

  Georgia looked around her, double-checking her workspace and making sure it was all clean and tidy. Satisfied, she looked at Landon expectantly, wondering if he was leaving now, too.

  “I’ll walk yo
u out,” Landon said, reading her thoughts. He left a crisp five-dollar note on the counter for Duke and stood up.

  Georgia came around the counter, tucking her hair behind her ear.

  Landon tried to not stare as she walked up to him. She was wearing a dark blue t-shirt that perfectly matched the shade of her sapphire eyes. His eyes traveled downwards, taking in the v-neck of her shirt that exposed the cream-colored skin on her neck and chest, and the white jean capris she wore that accentuated her long, slender figure.

  “Ready?” she asked.

  Landon nodded and placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked out together.

  As Landon held the door open for her, his hand still on her back, Georgia could feel the eyes of all the high school girls on her now, staring after her and Landon with envy in their eyes. Fighting back a smile, Georgia walked outside, Landon following right behind her. She had never felt so giddy, or even carefree before. Normally, being watched and judged by others would have bothered her, but she didn’t care that those girls were undoubtedly all whispering about her now.

  Out in the sunlight, she looked up at Landon, shielding her eyes from the sun. Unable to contain her gaiety anymore, she smiled broadly at him, her eyes sparkling.

  “What is it?” Landon asked, catching her smile as though it were contagious.

  Georgia laughed and shook her head. “Nothing,” she said, still smiling. “Walk me home?”

  Chapter 24

  Opportunity and Risk

  Hand in hand, Georgia and Landon walked back to Georgia’s house. They were rounding the corner onto Magnolia Lane when Landon stopped. Georgia followed suit and turned to face him, her eyes questioning, wondering why he had stopped.

  “I actually have to head back to my dad’s practice. I told my mom I would meet her there later this morning,” Landon said, his voice more solemn now.

  “Oh. Okay.” She wanted to ask when she would see him again, but held back. She didn’t want to sound desperate.

  “Can I see you later?” Landon asked hopefully.

  Georgia smiled. “I’d like that.” She was glad he had asked.

  “I can pick you up later this afternoon. Maybe we could go for a drive?” he suggested tentatively.

  Georgia nodded, unsure as to what kind of excuse she would have to come up with to appease her dad. She would figure something out, she reassured herself. “Sure,” she replied, her feelings mixed with both excitement and worry as she thought of her dad’s angry warnings.

  Landon took a step closer, and then leaned down to kiss her. His kiss was sweet, chaste, and left Georgia wanting more. She didn’t want him to leave, but she also knew that the all-too-watchful eyes of Mrs. Sullivan would soon spot them.

  Against her better judgment, Georgia stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek just next to his mouth, her lips caressing his smooth, shaven skin for a brief moment. She could smell the spice of aftershave on his bare skin. Georgia closed her eyes, committing the scent to her memory.

  Landon smiled as she relaxed back onto her heels and looked up at him. “What was that for?” he asked.

  “For walking me home…and for picking me up later.”

  Landon leaned down and kissed her on the identical spot next to her mouth.

  She laughed as she felt his mouth next to hers, teasing her. “What did you do that for?” she asked, giggling.

  “Because I wanted to,” he answered candidly as he straightened back up to his tall height.

  “And you’re the type of guy that just does what he wants, I suppose?” Georgia asked, cocking her head.

  “If the opportunity is worth the risk, then yes.”

  “So, am I worth that risk, Landon Young?” Georgia asked coyly as she placed her hand on her hip, her blue eyes laughing.

  Landon gazed at her with such intensity that his eyes seemed to deepen in color. “Yes. You are.”

  Georgia felt her smile fade as she realized the gravity of his words. She bit her lip and looked down at the sidewalk, unsure as to how to respond now.

  Landon reached over, slipping his hand under her chin and lifting her face again so that he could look at her. “You are most certainly worth any risk, Georgia Summer,” he said softly.

  Georgia felt her breathing still as she gazed into his grey blue eyes.

  Dropping his hand slowly, Landon took a step back. “Pick you up this afternoon?” His tone was more reminding than questioning.

  “This afternoon,” she repeated.

  He turned and left, heading back towards Main Street.

  Georgia slowly exhaled. She felt slightly dizzy, like she had been holding her breath for far too long. She watched him leave, wishing she could run after him and kiss him again.

  Instead, she turned and began to walk briskly towards her house at the end of the street, the anticipation of the afternoon making her feet feel suddenly lighter, like she was walking on a cloud. Smiling to herself, she practically skipped the rest of the way down Magnolia Lane.

  When she reached her house, she stopped, noting her dad’s parked car in the driveway. She felt a trickle of doubt run its way through her mind. Had her dad seen her and Landon together? Had Mrs. Sullivan spotted them again? Or perhaps another neighbor? Georgia felt her previous glee subside abruptly, flowing out of her system just as quickly as it had come. She walked up the front path, her feet feeling weighted now.

  As Georgia let herself into the house, she could see her dad through the kitchen in the dining area, sipping coffee and reading the paper. “Hi, dad,” she called out hesitantly, shutting the door behind her. She was uncertain as to how to act around him, given that their interactions had been strained as of late.

  Her dad glanced over at her. “Mornin’, Georg. How was work?” There was no trace of anger in his voice now.

  Georgia felt the relief balloon in her chest. “Good. Busy,” she answered, thinking of the brawl that could have easily broken out earlier between Landon, Jed, and Bobby Joe. She kicked off her shoes. “What are you doing home this morning?”

  “Oh, I volunteered to take a later shift tonight. Probably gonna go in around three later today.” He turned the page of the paper, his eyes traveling downwards as he skimmed through the headlines.

  Georgia nodded, trying to act like this wasn’t the best news to her ears as she thought of seeing Landon again later. She walked into the kitchen, hungry for lunch.

  “I bet you’re pretty hungry, skippin’ dinner and all last night,” her dad said wittingly, peering at her from over his paper.

  Georgia didn’t respond and bent down to pat Millie, who was dozing in her bed. Standing back up, Georgia walked over to the fridge and opened its door, appreciating the blast of cool air. She took out a loaf of bread and sliced ham and began to make a sandwich.

  “What do you got goin’ on today?” her dad asked casually.

  Georgia saw right through his question. She knew he was really asking if she had plans to see Landon again. She shrugged. “Probably reading, or maybe I’ll go see Virginia and the girls,” she lied, trying to sound unperturbed by his question.

  Her dad seemed satisfied with her answer and went back to reading the paper, sipping his coffee as he turned to another page.

  Opening the fridge again, Georgia took out the pitcher of iced tea and poured herself a glass. She then returned the bread and ham back to their places before shutting the fridge. Taking her iced tea and sandwich, she made for the stairs. “I’m going to read for a while,” she called over her shoulder.

  “Mmhmm,” her dad answered, not looking up.

  Georgia went up the stairs, relieved that she had managed to conduct somewhat of a normal conversation with her dad, although it had still been a little rocky. She felt a twinge of guilt as she reached the top step, knowing that she was already lying to her dad again about seeing Landon later. She went into her room, Landon’s words echoing in her mind as she placed her iced tea on the bureau.

  Landon had said she
was worth the risk. Any risk, to be exact. She replayed the conversation in her mind. If Landon was taking a risk on her, the sheriff’s daughter, the very same sheriff that had arrested him years ago, wasn’t she taking a risk too? Was Landon worth the risk to her? She sat on her bed and took a bite of her sandwich, chewing slowly as she sorted through her thoughts.

  She had never been one to take too many risks. Sure, leaving Willow Creek and going to university had been a risk, but she had known that it was a healthy one to take, a necessary step in her journey to become a doctor. And when it came to other, ostensibly excessive risks, Georgia had always been more cautious.

  But for the first time in her life, Georgia knew she was taking a risk where there was no guarantee of success, and one that was very uncertain in regards to its future. Landon was home in Willow Creek for only a few more days now, and yet here she was, falling for him hard and fast. Inevitably, he would return to his post overseas in Afghanistan. And where would she be? How could they ever be?

  Georgia’s heart sank as she thought of how little time she and Landon had together. She took the last bite of her sandwich and stood up. She then walked over to the bureau, set the empty plate down, and took a long drink of her iced tea, washing down the aftertaste of her lunch.

  What was she thinking, getting involved with someone like Landon Young, the high school delinquent turned tough Marine? Georgia leaned against the bureau, absorbed in her thoughts as the condensation from the cold glass moistened her palm. She sighed, setting the glass back down on the bureau. Yes, maybe she was taking a risk on Landon Young. Maybe it was a risk that she would regret.

  Georgia sat down on her bed again and picked up “Pride and Prejudice” from her nightstand. She flipped to the last page she had read, feeling the softened, worn pages under her fingers. Her mind flitted back to her favorite characters of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet as she began to read. She read the familiar scenes with fresh eyes, seeing a new interpretation as the story unfolded.

  Yes, maybe Landon was an unknown risk. But when it came to matters of the heart, wasn’t love always worth the risk?