Georgia Summer

by Heather Colleen

  It felt like the entire house was shaking and trembling with fear. Georgia felt Millie lean against her, attempting to comfort her. Georgia grasped the edge of the countertop to steady herself.

  “I’m the one that arrested Landon Young four years ago. I saw him after he broke into his own dad's house and tried to steal a gun!” her dad yelled, his red cheeks burning with fury.

  “So because you were there after the fact, and because you put the handcuffs on him, you’re automatically right? What if you don’t know the whole story, dad?” Georgia asked, her voice growing louder as she spoke.

  Her dad threw his hands up into the air with rage.

  Georgia had never seen him so unglued before.

  “I know what I saw, and Landon even told me he was responsible for breaking into Dr. Young's home that night!”

  Seeing his anger, Georgia briefly considered telling her dad what Landon had told her. Should she just tell him the truth? Would he even believe her?

  Georgia watched her dad. He was now looking out the window over the sink. He shook his head with frustration, feeling powerless as he tried to protect his daughter from the only truth he knew. Georgia bit her lip. She slowly inhaled, ready to unload the truth and tell her dad everything, but then she stopped.

  She couldn’t tell her dad what she knew. She couldn’t tell him the truth. Landon’s story, Emmarie’s story…they weren’t hers to tell. “You’re not always right, dad,” Georgia said softly, blinking away the tears as she spoke. Her dad turned to look at her, and Georgia could see the pain behind his eyes as he heard her words. Even as she spoke them, Georgia felt her heart breaking. “I love you, dad. I’ve always looked up to you for as long as I can remember,” she said, trying to keep herself together. She swallowed hard, fighting back the imminent tears. “But even you can be wrong.” Her voice cracked as she spoke.

  Her dad looked at her, and for a moment Georgia thought she had gotten through to him. A few moments of silence passed as they stared at each other, wondering who would break first.

  Her dad sighed and leaned over the sink, hanging his head as he gripped the sides of the counter. “I tried as hard as I could to protect your mom, and to save her life,” he said quietly. His eyes were downcast as he remembered his wife. “And I’m trying now to protect you.” Her dad lifted his head and turned to look at her. His eyes were dark with suffering. “Can’t you see that?” he asked softly.

  Georgia didn’t answer, and the silence hung heavy between them for several moments.

  Suddenly, her dad raised his hand in a fist and brought it down as hard as he could, slamming the counter with a deafening blow. “I’ll be damned if you ever see that boy again,” he said piercingly.

  Georgia felt her heart stop. Her dad’s behavior was scaring her, and sounded so unlike the gentle, patient father she had always known. She instinctively took a step backwards towards the kitchen doorway. She wanted to run away, far away.

  Her dad took a step towards her, raising his hand as if to stop her.

  She took another step back and he stopped.

  Dropping his hand back down to his side, her dad spoke, his voice low, “If you walk out that door, Georg…if you see that boy again..." His voice shook with anger.

  Georgia held her breath, feeling the color drain from her face as the fear roiled in her stomach.

  “Then don’t even bother comin' home.” His eyes shone with unshed tears as he spoke.

  Georgia was torn. Her dad had always been someone she could confide in, someone she could rely on to understand and support her. Now he had turned on her and refused to believe her. There was no one that believed her and no one that would listen to her…except for Landon.

  Georgia couldn’t take it. She turned around and fled, bolting from the kitchen and out the front door of the house. She didn’t even hear the door slam behind her, or the sound of her dad bellowing, yelling after her to come back. All she could hear were her flimsy sandals hitting the pavement, the sound filling her ears.

  Chapter 29

  First

  Georgia ran, her feet carrying her faster than she could have ever imagined with her dark hair streaming behind her. Vivid images pelted through her mind. She thought of Dr. Young and running for help that night she found him by the river, and that same desperation she felt now. But this time was different. It was Georgia that needed help. She needed someone.

  All throughout her life Georgia had been there for others when they needed her most. She had stayed by her mom’s side as she struggled for her life and fought the cancer in her body. She had held her dad’s hand when they buried her mother, lowering her casket into the ground as they said their final goodbyes. She had been there for Virginia and her nieces when Monty had abandoned them. And yet, no one could be there for Georgia when she needed them most. She felt completely and utterly alone, deserted by her own family.

  Georgia wiped the tears from her eyes, not caring that she was in a dress as she ran. After several minutes of running, she suddenly slowed as she came down a different street and recognized Faye Young’s house.

  She stopped at the end of the paved driveway and looked up at the small, well-kept home. To the right of the house was a detached garage, and the door was up. Georgia could see Dr. Young’s Cadillac parked inside, the hood lifted as Landon leaned under it. Dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans, he was completely absorbed as he tinkered around with the engine. Georgia felt her breathing slow as she watched him, feeling calmed by the mere sight of him.

  Landon stood up and stretched out his back. He had been working on his dad’s car since he arrived home from dropping Georgia off earlier. He grabbed the rag on the workbench and wiped the grease from his hands, looking around. He was expecting his mom home from the grocery store any minute.

  Then he saw Georgia, standing there at the end of the driveway. She looked upset and unusually pale. The pink in her cheeks was gone, her hair windswept. She stood there looking at him, a summer breeze lifting her cream-colored dress ever so slightly. Landon couldn’t help but stare at her. Even when she was visibly distraught, she was a vision. Alarm in his voice, Landon called over to her, “Georgia?” He tossed the rag back onto the bench and began to approach her, but Georgia ran up the driveway to him, trying to stop the incessant flow of tears that had already stained her cheeks.

  “Landon,” she said breathlessly, throwing her arms around him.

  He held her close, inhaling her sweet scent as she leaned against him. “What’s wrong, Georgia?” His voice was anxious.

  Georgia wiped the tears from her eyes, attempting to collect herself but wanting to stay in Landon’s arms forever. She tightened her grip around him. “It’s my dad,” she finally managed to say as she choked down a sob.

  “What happened? Is he all right?” He sounded alarmed. He leaned back to look at her, still holding her steady.

  Georgia nodded, putting her hands over her face.

  Landon sighed with relief and leaned in again, holding her tightly. “What happened?” he asked again, this time more gently.

  It took a few moments for Georgia to answer. Her breathing was irregular from crying. “H-h-he doesn’t want us to be together.” Georgia’s heart broke as she said this aloud. She felt Landon stiffen in her arms at her response.

  Angry thoughts flooded Landon’s mind. Of course he would never be good enough for the sheriff’s daughter, or for someone like Georgia. How could he be with such a tumultuous past? And a reputation he could never outrun? No matter what he did, no matter how far he went, his reputation from years ago was inescapable.

  “I don’t care what my dad says…or what anyone says,” Georgia said, cutting off his thoughts. She leaned back to look up at Landon’s face, her eyes clearer now. “I want to be with you, Landon Young.”

  Landon gazed at her, and he felt the corners of his mouth lift into that barely-there smile as he felt the same in his own heart. He opened his mouth to respond, but stopped when he heard the r
ev of an engine approaching, coming down the street. He looked over Georgia’s shoulder, his smile fading fast as he saw none other than Georgia’s dad driving down the street, approaching his house rapidly. “It’s your dad.” His tone was worried.

  Landon released Georgia from his arms and took her hand, pulling her to the back of the garage where they couldn’t be seen from the street. They stood there in silence, looking at each other as they heard the engine turn off, and Georgia’s dad get out of the car.

  “Georgia!!” her dad bellowed.

  Georgia froze, her pupils dilated with fear.

  Landon squeezed her hand comfortingly.

  “Landon…I can’t…” Georgia whispered frantically. She couldn’t face her dad again. What could be gained when he was so angry and unwilling to listen to her? She looked at Landon with desperation in her eyes.

  Landon looked back at the garage opening, listening to Georgia’s dad approach, his boots hitting the pavement as he walked up the driveway. Any moment now he would find them and take Georgia away, and who knew if Landon would ever see her again? “Come with me,” he whispered as he tightened his grip on her hand.

  Georgia nodded.

  With his free hand, Landon reached over to the back door of the garage and turned the knob soundlessly. It swung outward, revealing his mom’s green backyard and vegetable garden. Landon went through the door and Georgia followed closely behind. He softly shut the door behind them again, just moments before Georgia’s dad came into the garage. They heard her dad in the garage on the other side of the door.

  “GEORGIA!” he yelled again, this time even more forcefully.

  Landon could feel Georgia trembling beside him. Landon tugged on her hand and they took off across the yard towards the fence that lined the perimeter of his mom’s property. Unlocking the gate of the fence, Landon opened it for Georgia and she ran through, Landon following her. He shut the gate after them both and took her hand again.

  Hand in hand, they ran through the pasture, the tall grass whipping the sides of their legs. Very faintly, Georgia could hear her dad yelling, his voice becoming more and more distant as their legs carried them farther away. Where they were going, Georgia didn’t know. All she knew was that she had to be with Landon. She held his hand tightly, following him through the tall grass pasture as he led her towards a dense grouping of trees.

  The sun was now setting, casting its yellow light on the tall grass and lengthening the shadows of the trees. They reached the edge of the forest, and still Landon didn’t slow down. Leading her through the trees on a path that only he could see, he guided her through the woods.

  Georgia followed him, her heart racing from adrenaline and fear. Up ahead, she could hear the sound of running water—faint at first—but steadily growing louder. She glimpsed a glade just over Landon’s shoulder.

  As they neared the clearing, Landon finally slowed. Still grasping her hand, he led her into the glade where a river was peacefully flowing by, its placid surface completely unperturbed and tranquil.

  Georgia felt her breathing slow as she watched the water lazily course by. She looked over at Landon, who was watching her. “Do you think he’ll find us here?” Her voice was breathless from running.

  Landon shook his head. “No. No one will find us here,” he said softly.

  Georgia gazed at him, unable to tear her eyes away from his. His dark hair was mussed from their running, and his white shirt was streaked with grease, and yet he couldn’t have looked more handsome in that very moment. She felt her breathing quicken again as her eyes traveled down his body, and then back up to his soft, full lips. She had never wanted anyone or anything more than she did right now with Landon.

  Georgia took a step towards him, closing the gap between them. Landon didn’t move as he kept his gaze locked on hers, his steel blue eyes glinting in the soft light. She took another step towards him, leaving only a few inches between their bodies. She reached for his white shirt, her fingers grazing his bare skin as she lifted it up and over his shoulders, and then over his head. As she took off his shirt, she glimpsed something on his chest. It was bright, resembling an insignia of some kind just below his collarbone on his left side.

  Tossing his shirt onto the ground, Georgia reached up again, placing her hands on his chest. Her eyes took in the tattoo she had glimpsed a moment ago. It was an image of an American flag with the earth in front of it. An eagle with its wings outstretched sat atop the globe, the American flag waving behind it. The eagle was carrying something similar to a banner, with words written across it that she couldn’t understand. An anchor wrapped around the globe, tying itself to the earth. Georgia ran her fingers across Landon's tattoo and along his chest, feeling his perfectly carved muscles. Landon watched her, his eyes burning with desire.

  Still running her fingers across his skin, Georgia began to follow her hands with her lips, gently, sensually kissing the invisible lines she traced with her fingers. Landon closed his eyes as he felt her soft lips caress his skin, the pleasure of her touch almost unbearable. Georgia ran her hands down the undersides of his arms all the way down to his hands, and then interlaced her fingers with his. She then looked up at him, her lips just barely parted, and her blue eyes yearning for his touch.

  Landon leaned down, bringing his lips to hers and kissing her. Georgia released his hands from hers and draped her arms around his shoulders, kissing him more deeply. She felt his strong hands glide down her sides past her waist, skimming the smooth chiffon of her dress.

  Still kissing her, Landon’s fingers reached for the end of her dress. He held the cool fabric for a moment and twisted it in his hands, his fingers brushing the soft skin on her thighs. He then lifted the dress up, pulling it up over her head and leaving her nearly naked in front of him.

  Georgia closed her eyes as the dress swept over her face, catching her hair. She felt her hair fall again to her shoulders as Landon removed her dress and tossed it to the side where his shirt laid. She tipped her head back and leaned in to kiss Landon again, feeling her long hair tickle the bare skin on her back. Landon’s hands wrapped around her waist, resting on the small of her back where her creamy skin met the blue lace of her panties. Georgia breathed in the taste of Landon, intoxicated and emboldened by their kiss.

  She let her hands glide down his chest to his navel, and then to the waist of his jeans. Fumbling with the buckle of his jeans as she kissed him, her eyes still closed, she undid his belt and unbuttoned his jeans. She then tugged them down over his hips, and they dropped to the ground almost noiselessly.

  Landon’s breathing became heavier as he dipped his head down and kissed Georgia’s neck, peppering her skin with soft, warm kisses. She tilted her head back again and closed her eyes, overcome with pleasure as the adrenaline coursed through her veins.

  As he kissed along her neck and the soft curve of her collarbone, his hands slipped down just below her buttocks. In one, quick motion, he picked Georgia up, holding her against his chest. He then buried his face in the skin of her neck, breathing in her heavenly scent as he stepped out of his jeans and freed his movement.

  Instinctively, Georgia wrapped her legs around his waist as he held her effortlessly. She rested her head on Landon’s shoulder as she reached around her back to unclasp her bra. She wanted to completely feel Landon’s body against her own. She struggled for a moment, trying to unclasp it as she bent her arm around her back. Sensing her struggle, Landon reached up and unclasped it for her. Georgia slipped her bra off her shoulders and pulled it off. Throwing it to the side as she leaned in again, she pressed her bare chest against Landon’s.

  Landon pushed her hips against his own as he held her, kissing her intensely as Georgia held his head in her hands. Then, still kissing her, he fluidly bent down, taking one knee first, and then the other. Cradling her still, Landon gently lowered her body to the ground, and lay her down onto the soft earth. He admired her for a moment, and the way her milk-white skin starkly contrasted with the b
are ground.

  Georgia looked up at him, her eyes full of wanting and lust. She reached for him, clasping her hands behind his neck and pulling him back down to her, feeling his warmth against her skin. He lowered himself onto her and kissed her.

  Lifting his head slightly, he kissed her again, but this time on her chin. Then his lips moved down, kissing her on her neck, and then on her collarbone, working his way down to her chest. Georgia closed her eyes as he caressed her breasts, arching her back with pleasure as his mouth explored her body. He worked his way down farther, his hands cupping her breasts as his lips skimmed across her bare skin.

  Landon stopped where his lips met the blue lace band of her panties, and Georgia moaned, not wanting him to stop. She squirmed against his touch, and swirled her fingers into his dark hair. Landon gently kissed the fabric of her panties, and Georgia nearly exploded with desire.

  “Take them off,” she whispered, her breathing ragged as she attempted to push her panties down over her hips.

  Landon grabbed the sides of her panties and pulled them down and off her legs. He then slipped his own boxers off and lay down on Georgia again. He kissed her, his breathing accelerating as he felt her naked body respond to his own.

  Landon lifted his head, kissing her once more on her cheek before he pulled back to look at her. “Is this your first time?” he asked softly. He pushed a lock of hair away from her forehead.

  Georgia nodded, her eyes dark with passion. She wasn’t nervous at all like she thought she would be. Being with Landon felt as natural as the oxygen she breathed. She had never felt so alive or invigorated before. She lifted her hands and placed them on either side of Landon’s hips, positioning them above her own. “I want you to be my first,” she breathed. Then, kissing him fully on his soft lips, she wrapped her legs around him as he held her.

  Chapter 30

  By the River

  They made love for the first time by the river that night. Their lovemaking was passionate, almost desperate as they clung to each other. Landon was all Georgia could see, all she could feel, and when she cried out as she reached her limit, it was Landon that held and soothed her, calming her body.