Georgia Summer

by Heather Colleen

  In the grocery store bathroom, Landon assessed his appearance. He definitely looked like he had driven all night. He washed his face in the sink and finger combed his hair, smoothing it to the side. He swiped on some deodorant, misted himself thoroughly with the deodorizing spray, and then swished the mouthwash around in his mouth for a full minute. Taking a step back, Landon appraised himself in the mirror. He looked better. Not great, but at least cleaner.

  On his way out of the store, Landon saw an employee rounding up carts in the parking lot. Striding with purpose, Landon approached the employee.

  Seeing Landon, the employee stopped for a moment. “Can I help you?” the employee asked.

  “Yes. Can you point me in the direction of the Marine Corps recruiting center?”

  The employee gave him directions and Landon thanked him. “You lookin’ to learn more about the military?” the employee asked as he shielded his eyes from the sun, squinting up at Landon.

  Landon nodded and looked the employee directly in the eyes. “Yes. I want to be a Marine.”

  Chapter 28

  No One to Turn To

  Georgia gazed at Landon, her eyes filled with awe. “So…that’s how you joined the military,” she said slowly.

  “I enlisted that very same day,” Landon said, recalling that fateful decision.

  Georgia nodded in understanding, piecing the story together in her mind. “And you never heard from Monty after that?”

  Landon shook his head. “Never. And from what I understand, he hasn’t been back to Willow Creek since.”

  “You’re right. He hasn’t,” Georgia said softly, thinking of Virginia and the twins. “So you did that for Monty…you let him get away with what he did to Emmarie because you knew it would ruin Virginia…and Charlotte and Ella Mae,” Georgia said carefully, trying to understand Landon’s decision.

  Landon nodded. “One life had already been ruined by Monty and Jace,” he said, thinking of Emmarie. "Why destroy an entire family?” Landon gazed at Georgia expectantly, hoping she understood his motive, and why he had helped Monty to leave Willow Creek all those years ago.

  Georgia exhaled as she looked down at her lap. She understood now why Monty had never returned to Willow Creek. Her thoughts drifted back to Emmarie, and how this all began on that terrible night. “Have you heard from Emmarie since?” she asked hesitantly. She wasn’t sure what answer she wanted to hear from Landon.

  Landon shook his head sadly. “No.” He remembered calling his mom to tell her that he had enlisted, and asking if she heard from Emmarie. He had thought that perhaps she would have phoned. But no, his mom had not heard from Emmarie. Desperate, he also phoned Maddox, hoping that Emmarie had come back to Willow Creek. He remembered Maddox's somber voice when he answered the phone, and the crushing blow he felt as Maddox told him that Emmarie would likely never return to Willow Creek. Offering up the only comfort Landon could give to Emmarie's father, he told Maddox that he had dealt with Emmarie's perpetrators.

  Georgia bit her lip, watching Landon’s reaction. “Do you still love her?”

  Landon sighed and looked down at the ground. “In a way, yes. She was my first love. I’ll always care about her.” It was true that Landon wasn’t in love with Emmarie anymore, but he would always have a special place in his heart for her. For months after the fact, Landon had clung to the hope that he would hear from Emmarie, but as the days turned into weeks, and then into months, he slowly began to realize that what he and Emmarie had was no longer, and that the only feeling they shared was just the memory of what once was.

  Georgia rubbed her forehead, thinking of Virginia again.

  “What’s wrong?” Landon reached over to her lap and took her hand.

  Georgia clasped his hand. “I can’t ever tell Virginia the truth about Monty.” She looked up at Landon. “The truth would kill her, Landon.” As much as Georgia hated withholding the truth, she vowed then and there in that moment that she would never tell Virginia.

  Landon held her hand tightly. “We've all got our crosses to bear, don’t we?” He thought back to his dad, remembering how disappointed he had looked after Sheriff Summer left them, and how he believed Landon to be responsible for the night’s events. “I never told my dad the truth about what happened that night,” Landon admitted.

  Georgia looked up at him, her eyes full of empathy.

  “That’s probably what I regret the most,” he said quietly. Landon recalled the moment when he heard the news about his dad’s death, and the crippling sense of regret he felt when he realized that he would never have another opportunity to tell his dad the truth about that night.

  Georgia reached up and put her hand on Landon’s face, running her fingers over his smooth cheek.

  Landon closed his eyes briefly, her touch soothing him.

  “You shaved,” Georgia said. She admired his perfect jaw line as she ran her index finger along it.

  Landon opened his eyes. He felt a small smile lifting the corners of his mouth. It was impossible to not smile when Georgia looked at him like that.

  “Why did you shave?” she asked.

  Landon took her hand and kissed her palm. “Well, what kind of kisses do you like, Georgia Summer?” He kissed her hand again on the soft spot just between her thumb and index finger.

  Georgia giggled.

  “Rough and bristly? Or soft and smooth?” He kissed the pads of her fingers.

  Georgia laughed, her cheeks pink from laughter. “Soft and smooth.”

  “That’s what I thought,” he said. Winding his fingers through hers, he leaned in closer and kissed Georgia.

  Georgia felt her knees grow weak from his kiss, and she was thankful that she was sitting down. She clasped her hands behind Landon’s neck and he kissed her more deeply, savoring the taste of her lips on his.

  After several moments, Georgia pulled back slightly and kissed his cheek tenderly. Then, wordlessly, she withdrew her hands from around Landon’s neck. Taking his hand, she lifted it closer to her face and squinted at his watch. “It’s getting late. I’d better get home,” she said regretfully, thinking of her dad and how he would be home soon.

  Landon stood up and held his hands out to her. "I'll take you home."

  ✽✽✽

  The drive back to Willow Creek went by quickly, and Landon was soon pulling his pickup into the driveway. Georgia looked around for her dad’s car, and breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t see it. However, she was surprised to see Virginia’s van parked out front along the curb.

  Georgia unbuckled her seatbelt and began to open the door, but Landon reached over and touched her shoulder. She stopped and turned to look at Landon.

  Landon leaned over and kissed her, first on the lips, and then on her neck, his lips softly skimming the bare skin just below her ear.

  Georgia laughed, unable to contain her pleasure as his breath tickled her skin. “I need to go, Landon,” she said, trying to sound firm as she glanced back up at the house. The last thing she wanted was her sister to see her canoodling with someone out in the driveway.

  “Will I see you tomorrow?” Landon asked.

  Georgia nodded. “I hope so.” She smiled at him and then took his hand, kissing the top of it. Gently placing his hand back on the seat, Georgia put her hand on the door handle and began to open it, but Landon stopped her.

  “Wait a sec,” he said, opening his door. He came around to her side and opened the door for her before helping her down from the passenger seat.

  “What a gentleman.” Georgia giggled as she smoothed her dress down.

  “I aim to please, Georgia Summer.” His tone was teasing.

  The front door to the house slammed suddenly. Georgia and Landon looked up at the porch, distracted from their banter. It was Virginia.

  “Oh. Hey, Virginia!” Georgia called out, smiling at her sister.

  Virginia didn’t say anything and instead glared at them.

  Confused, Georgia looked back at Landon, biting
her lip. Lowering her voice, she said, “Guess I’d better go.”

  Landon nodded understandingly. He knew what Virginia thought of him. Her judgmental gaze said it all.

  Georgia turned and walked up to the house, while Virginia continued to stare down Landon with an icy glare.

  “Hello, Virginia,” Landon called over to her warmly.

  But still, Virginia didn’t answer.

  Pressing his lips together tightly, Landon went back around to the driver’s side and got in.

  Georgia heard Landon pulling away in his pickup and glanced over her shoulder, watching him leave. His pickup soon disappeared from view as he drove down the street. Georgia looked down at her feet as she walked up the porch steps, smiling to herself as she replayed the afternoon’s events again in her mind.

  “Well, what do you have to say for yourself, Georgia?” Virginia snapped, yanking Georgia from her reverie.

  Georgia nearly jumped from her sharp words as she reached the top of the steps. She heard her nieces laughing inside the house, and the blare of the television as they watched one of their favorite cartoons. “What do you mean?” Georgia gazed at her sister.

  Virginia narrowed her eyes at Georgia. “Oh, don’t play dumb, Georgia. You know exactly what you’re doin’ here.”

  “And what’s so wrong about me seeing somebody?” Georgia asked, her voice growing heated. “Oh, wait,” she said, smiling sarcastically. “It’s not that I’m dating someone, it’s who I’m dating, isn’t it?” Georgia shook her head, exhaling loudly through her nose with annoyance.

  “Georg, that boy is trouble—”

  “That boy? He has a name!” Georgia exclaimed exasperatedly, throwing her hands up with frustration.

  “Do I look like I give a damn about what his name is?” Virginia asked loudly, practically yelling now. She turned away from Georgia, crossing her arms over her chest as she gathered herself.

  “You think you know so much, Virginia,” Georgia said too quickly, unable to stop herself.

  Virginia whirled around. “What was that?” she snapped. Her turquoise eyes blazed with fury.

  Georgia couldn’t contain her anger anymore. Her eyes darkened as she thought of Monty and what he had done to Emmarie, and how Landon had been so wrongfully tried and condemned for something he wasn’t guilty of. “What I mean is, sometimes you don’t know the whole truth about someone,” Georgia said hurriedly, although she wasn’t sure if she was talking more about Landon or Monty now.

  “Landon Young is not a good guy,” Virginia said stridently. “For Christ’s sake, Georg. Dad arrested him!”

  “Really, Virginia? You’re going to lecture me about who I should and shouldn’t date?” Georgia asked, her words cutting through the air with razor sharpness.

  Virginia looked like she had been slapped. She was perfectly aware of how bad it looked when Monty had mysteriously skipped town years ago, leaving her all alone with his newborn twins to raise by herself. But now, her own sister had the gall to criticize her?

  Georgia instantly felt ashamed for saying this as she realized how Virginia knew only her version of the truth about Monty. Virginia didn’t know the whole story about Monty and Emmarie, and Georgia never wanted her to know. Georgia silently cursed herself, wishing she could take back what she said.

  Virginia stared at Georgia, unable to believe her sister would say something like this. “Don’t you dare talk about Monty,” Virginia said threateningly.

  Georgia remained silent.

  “Girls!” Virginia yelled, still looking at Georgia.

  A little face pressed itself against the screen in the door, and Georgia saw Charlotte looking up at them from inside the living room. “Are we staying with Grandpa tonight?” Charlotte asked.

  “No. We’re leaving, sweetie,” Virginia said. She went inside to grab her purse, leaving Georgia alone on the porch for a moment. Virginia came outside again a few seconds later, carrying Ella Mae on her hip and holding Charlotte’s hand, her purse thrown over her shoulder.

  Ella Mae reached for Georgia as Virginia brushed by Georgia wordlessly. “Auntie Georgia!” Ella Mae called out.

  “We’ll see Aunt Georgia another time, sugar. We need to go home now." Virginia's words were clipped.

  Charlotte turned to wave at Georgia as they walked down the front path to the van.

  Georgia waved back to Charlotte, attempting to smile at her little niece.

  Virginia turned around just before she reached her van. “Oh, by the way.” She shifted Ella Mae to her other hip. “Dad called me when he couldn’t get a hold of you at home. He was worried. That’s why I came over to check on you,” she said. Her voice was hedged with annoyance. “Don’t lie to dad about where you’ve been. Otherwise, I’ll tell him the truth for you.”

  Georgia bit her lip, forcing herself not to say anything. She angrily turned around on her heel and went inside, slamming the door after her.

  She leaned against the front door and closed her eyes, attempting to calm her breathing. She heard a groan from the kitchen as Millie got up and stretched, and then came over to her in the living room. Georgia felt Millie’s cold, wet nose press against her bare leg, and she bent down to hug Millie. Millie nuzzled Georgia’s neck as Georgia wrapped her arms around her.

  “Oh, Millie,” Georgia said, leaning back so she could get a better look at Millie’s face. “At least I don’t have to worry about you getting mad at me, huh?” Millie gave her a soulful look of understanding, and Georgia rubbed her behind the ears. “Sweet girl,” Georgia murmured as she stood up and straightening her dress. She started for the stairs and Millie followed.

  Upstairs in her bedroom, Georgia stood in front of her closet for several moments, trying to remember where she had put something away years ago. She began to rummage through the shelves and drawers while Millie looked on from her spot on the rug.

  A couple of minutes later Georgia found it. Pulling it out from the bottom of one of her drawers, she dusted off the leather-bound photo album. It had been years since she had looked at it. She carried it over to her bed and sat down, running her fingers over the soft, worn leather.

  Georgia flipped it open to the first page, and saw her mom’s smiling face gazing back at her. It was a picture of her mom at the hospital, holding Georgia just hours after she had been born. Her mom looked tired and worn out from the hours of labor. And yet, she still looked so vibrant, even exhilarated from the happiness of another healthy daughter being born. Georgia sighed as she ran her finger over her mom’s face, wishing she could touch her, hug her, like any daughter would.

  She turned the page and looked at another photo of her with her mom. It was her first day of preschool. Her mom was hugging her on the front porch, saying goodbye before dad took her to school on his way to work. Georgia looked excited as she held on to the arm straps of her new backpack, a huge grin across her face. How she wished her mother were still there to hold her, to wrap her arms around her again.

  Above all though, Georgia wished her mom were there to talk to about Landon, about dad, about everything. Surely she would have understood how she felt about Landon. Her mom had always told her to follow her heart, and that was exactly what she was doing. All those rumors and stories about Landon were false. Georgia knew in her heart that Landon had told her the truth about what happened that terrible night years ago.

  It wasn’t fair, Georgia thought to herself. Landon had taken the fall for Maddox and was permanently branded as a juvenile delinquent all because of that one night. Even Monty, who had mysteriously vanished that very same night, leaving his fiancé and newborn twins high and dry, somehow had a better reputation than Landon. Georgia shook her head. The whole town of Willow Creek didn’t know that Monty and Jace were the real criminals here. They had gotten off easy, and all because Landon had traded his silence for theirs, and kept Emmarie’s secret. It was a cruel, unfair world.

  Just then, Georgia heard the front door slam, making her jump. Millie scrambled
to her feet, barking loudly as she ran out of the bedroom to make sure it wasn’t a trespasser.

  “GEORGIA! Git down here!” her dad yelled.

  Georgia felt her pulse quicken. Her dad certainly didn’t sound very happy. She walked out of her room slowly and then down the hall, pausing at the top of the stairs where Millie stood. Even from the top of the stairs, Georgia could feel the tension from her dad emanating from downstairs. Millie looked up at her, her sable eyes clouded and questioning, wondering what was wrong.

  “It’s okay, girl,” Georgia whispered as she smoothed the fur on Millie’s head. Georgia could hear her dad pacing in the kitchen, waiting impatiently. She walked down the stairs, balling her hands into fists to keep them from shaking. Millie walked beside her, sensing that Georgia needed the emotional support for what was to come.

  Georgia came into the kitchen and saw her dad standing there, leaning against the sink, his arms tightly crossed against his chest. To say he looked livid was an understatement. Georgia could hardly breathe, as the tension was so thick in the room. She stopped and leaned against the counter across the kitchen from her dad, with the island separating them.

  “Virginia called,” her dad said slowly.

  Georgia locked her jaw into place, mentally cursing Virginia.

  “Is there anything you wanna tell me?” her dad asked.

  Georgia shook her head slightly. She spoke, trying to keep her voice even, “Nothing you don’t already know, dad.”

  “So, you saw him again?” His voice was now bordering eruption.

  Georgia nodded. She was no longer afraid now. Her fear had been replaced with righteous indignation. She knew the truth about Landon, and not even her dad could take that away from her.

  “I told you, that boy is dangerous, Georgia—”

  “You don’t know the truth about Landon Young, dad,” she said sharply, emboldened by the truth.

  Her dad’s anger exploded as she defied him. “GODDAMNIT, GEORGIA!”