Coming Home (The Morgans)

by Savanna Grey

  Table of Contents

  Coming Home

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Coming Home

  By Savanna Grey

  Copyright © 2013 Savanna Grey

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system – except in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews – without the written permission of publisher or author, except where permitted by law.

  Published by Savanna Grey

  Cover art by Book Designs by Dee

  Photos used to design cover were legally obtained from Colourbox.com

  A Note From Savanna:

  I am so very excited to share Victoria’s and Drue’s story with you. Their sweet struggle between love of friends and family is so heart-warming. The strength of a small town community is priceless as Victoria discovers.

  I hope you enjoy their journey as much I did writing it. Even I was surprised by a few twists and turns the story ended up taking.

  I would be remiss to not thank several people who helped bring my first book to fruition.

  First, to my husband, children and extended family for encouraging me to finally put pen to paper, I love you all so very much. A special thank you to my mother for that extra push. Without that conversation, this never would have come to fruition.

  To Deanna Hatmaker of Book Designs By Dee, thank you for bringing Victoria and Drue to life with the cover art. It’s really them. Author Janice Baker has been a lifeline throughout this entire process.

  For endless nights of reading, editing, encouraging and constructively keeping me on track, I thank Barbara Durley for being my voice of reason.

  To my readers, thank you for your support. I love to hear from you. Please visit me at:

  Website: www.authorsavannagrey.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorsavannagrey

  Twitter: @AuthorGrey

  Email: authorsavannagrey@gmail.com

  Chapter One

  Leaves rustled and rolled across the dying grass as the wind tussled Tori’s auburn curls into her face. Victoria Winslow would normally have admired the scenery. Mid-October in Illinois with all its changing colors and cooler weather was one of Tori’s favorite times of year. Today, though, she paid no mind to her surroundings. Two weeks ago she had stood in this same place as her beloved grandmother had been laid to rest. Tears streamed down her face unnoticed as emotions and memories swamped her.

  She was alone now. Truly alone. She felt the threat of the dark depression try to creep in, but she couldn’t allow it. She feared if she did, she would not escape it. She was stronger than that. Her grandmother Millie would not want that.

  Tori had adored her grandmother and grandfather, who had passed two years before her grandmother. They were truly the only parents she had known. Tori’s parents had been killed in a car accident when she was just five-years-old. Her grandparents had taken her, raised her and loved her from that day on.

  With both of them now gone, Tori was at a loss.

  She laid the flowers she had been crushing so tightly to her chest on the grave. “Well, as grandma always said – The Lord never gives you more than he knows you can handle. He must think I am an awfully strong person, Grandma, because all I want to do right now is curl up into a ball and pretend that you aren’t really gone.”

  The wind picked up just then and felt like an embrace around Tori. She smiled. “Yeah, I know. Self-pity gets you nowhere.”

  Tori blew a kiss at the headstone and lovingly stroked it. “I’ll talk to you soon. I’ve got a lot of things to do and decisions to make now, don’t I?”

  Everything had been left to Tori – the house, the land, and all its belonging. Now she had to decide what to do with it.

  Did she keep it or did she sell it? That is what she had to decide.

  She had just over a month to decide and to get things settled before she had to return to work in Chicago. Her publishing firm where she was an editor had given her a leave of absence until after Thanksgiving to get it all figured out.

  As she folded herself back into the car and headed for home, butterflies settled in her stomach at the thought of being home for a solid month. It had been six years since she had lived here and six years since graduation night when everything had changed. She wouldn’t think about that right now, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to bury those memories for long.

  The Winslow property sat just on the outskirts of the small town of Oak Creek, population 1,500. As Tori crossed the railroad tracks she had walked along many times as a child down to Oak Creek, the house came into view. The two-story farmhouse with wrap-around porch sat in the middle of five acres, surrounded by lush farmland. The property bordered the Morgan farm.

  A warm smile crossed Tori’s face as she looked down the road to the Morgan’s home, which was about a mile down from hers.

  Kevin Morgan had been her best friend since Kindergarten, and at age twenty-four he still was. They had started school together. Tori still remembered that fateful day that began a life-long friendship.

  Tony Miller was a first grade bully that liked to pick on little girls. Tori had been his target that day on the school bus. He had sat behind her and was determined to make her cry by pulling her braids and teasing her. Kevin was right there to defend her. He put Tony in his place and was Tori’s bus partner and friend from that day on.

  Tori and Kevin had shared everything growing up. She could not count how many endless nights they had spent up on the hill at the Morgan farm under the massive oak tree overlooking their property. The whispers of the wind knew the many secrets, joys and frustrations of two child-hood friends. They had been inseparable. Everyone assumed a romance would develop, but it hadn’t.

  Kevin was truly the brother she had never had. They loved each other like family. Even after they graduated and went off to college, Kevin to University of Illinois and Tori to Arizona State, they stayed in close contact by email and phone.

  There wasn’t much that Kevin didn’t know about with one exception. Tori’s smile faltered just a little at the thought of Kevin’s brother, Drue. She took a deep breath to calm the flutters in her stomach. No. It couldn’t be flutters after so many years. It had to be hunger.

  Drue was two years Kevin and Tori’s senior and had walked on water as far as the teenage Tori had been concerned.

  He and Kevin were so different from each other in personality, but no one could mistake them for not being brothers. Both were tall, broad-shouldered boys – well, men now – with dark chestnut hair that brough
t out the emerald green of their eyes. Their stares had the capability of losing you in their depths. Tori remembered when Drue would get angry with them for pestering him around the farm or sneaking up on him when he was with his latest girlfriend. His eyes would turn the deepest pools of emerald green she had ever seen.

  Both boys had been taught from an early age by their father to work hard and be responsible. Kevin was the happy-go-lucky one of the bunch. He was always so carefree and mischievous. Drue was much different. He was always so serious and quiet. He would constantly reprimand Kevin and her for wasting so much time doing nothing but daydreaming up on that hill.

  Of course, they in turn would always reply by telling him to “Lighten Up, big Brother.”

  Drue would always just grunt and go on to the next chore.

  Ironic how opposites attract, thought Tori. She had secretly adored him for years. No one knew, not even Kevin. That was until the night of hers and Kevin’s graduation party.

  The Winslow’s and the Morgan’s were proud of their children and didn’t mind letting everyone know it. So, when she and Kevin graduated, they threw a big barnyard shindig as her grandpa always called it.

  Tori still remembered how the Morgan’s barn looked with the lights strung, the band playing and practically the whole town was there to celebrate.

  She painfully remembered watching Drue dance with what seemed like every girl in town. Tori had not lacked for boyfriends herself, but she only had eyes for Drue.

  He had come home for Kevin’s graduation and was on summer break from his sophomore year at college. Time had done nothing to lessen the feelings Tori had for Drue. This frustrated and angered her. She just couldn’t understand why she could not get over Drue Morgan.

  Why couldn’t she have fallen for Kevin? Cupid had such a sick sense of humor.

  Her anger and frustration drove her that night. The memory burned her cheeks.

  Her jealousy and need had taken such root watching Drue, she could stand it no more.

  She had fled the barn for much needed air before her lungs exploded from the pent up pressure. She was leaning up against the barn bent over trying to drag in big gulps of air when out of nowhere and to her dismay, Drue was at her side.

  “Victoria, what’s wrong? Are you alright?”

  He had always called her by her given name, never Tori like everyone else.

  He had touched her so gently and his voice held what seemed like such concern that when Tori looked up and straight into his sea green eyes, she couldn’t stop herself. She kissed him. Really kissed him.

  Tori had to laugh, shaking herself out of the past. More like threw herself at him.

  Once Drue recovered from the shock, he removed himself from Tori’s embrace and proceeded to give her one heck of a lecture.

  “What in God’s name is the matter with you?” he demanded.

  “I’ve never seen you act like this. Is this what has become of you the past two years? Do you make a habit of throwing yourself at any available male? You should be grateful that it’s me standing here and not someone willing to take what you just offered for Christ’s sake!” he thundered.

  She had run back to her house a mile up the road and had not spoken to Drue really since then.

  Oh, they had seen one another at family gatherings and holidays but never been alone. It was always the required pleasantries but nothing more. The tension was always there between them.

  Tori had vowed that day she would put Drue Morgan behind her, and she had, hadn’t she?

  “Enough of that train of thought,” Tori told herself.

  She wasn’t eighteen anymore and life had moved on. She was looking forward to spending some time with Kevin and catching up. He had been so supportive through her grandmother’s death. So had Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. She didn’t know what she would do without them.

  She looked up at her home and thought how quiet and lonely it was going to be. She wasn’t quite ready for that.

  She kept her car headed up the road to the Morgan’s. She would stop in on Kevin first before she got settled.

  Chapter Two

  As Tori crossed the yard up toward the Morgan house, she noticed the tractor sitting out in front of the barn. She heard what sounded like a clanking noise coming from the general vicinity and headed that way.

  As she neared she saw long legs and a cute backside facing her in a pair of close-fitting worn jeans bent under the tractor hood. Kevin always did look good in a pair of jeans. She couldn’t resist. She knew how ticklish he was.

  Sneaking up behind him, she pounced, grabbing his sides and tickling away yelling, “Skittles!”

  This was the nickname she had dubbed Kevin one winter when they were in grade school. His Aunt had given him a bright green scarf and bright orange sweater. She had thought he looked like a rainbow of Skittles candy wearing that. The nickname had stuck.

  Unfortunately for Tori it wasn’t her Kevin that banged his head on the tractor jumping in surprise and turning ready to attack.

  At the same time proceeding to spill whatever brown oily-looking substance he had been holding all down the front of his shirt.

  Drue’s fiery green eyes stared back at her.

  “What the he...” he began to roar and stopped short.

  “Victoria?” he said almost in confused wonder. A mixture of emotions crossed his face before he seemed to gather his composure. Only his irritation remained.

  “What the hell are you doing here and why are you sneaking up on me almost giving me a concussion?” he grumbled as the rest of the oil that covered his torso dripped from his chin onto what was left of his stained shirt. He was rubbing his head where he had hit it on the tractor.

  She found her voice somewhere. So shocked was she to come face to face with a man she had not said more than a few words to in six years. Always one ready to defend herself, Tori straightened her 5’ 2” frame self-consciously against his six-foot frame and retorted, “I would think for an intelligent man like yourself, Drue Morgan, it would be obvious that I mistook you for your brother!”

  Drue continued to stare her down all the while fluid dripping from his chin. The situation struck Tori so unbelievable funny she could not contain herself. She couldn’t help it. The first laugh slipped out before she could stop it.

  “You find this amusing, Miss Winslow?” Drue ground out through clenched teeth.

  “Miss Winslow?” thought Tori. Oh he really was steaming.

  Whether it was from the tension or seeing him again or just the plain hilarity of the situation, Tori didn’t know, but the laughter came. It bubbled out of her like an erupting volcano with gut-wrenching ripples.

  Nothing could have prepared her for what happened next. She felt his hands on her forearms before she realized his intent as Drue pulled her forcefully to him.

  Chest to chest Tori looked up into Drue’s face and knew she was in trouble.

  His eyes had turned emerald green, stormy and turbulent. She had seen that look before and knew whatever was coming next could not be good, but never would she have expected what did. She hiccupped as she tried to curb her laughter.

  He swooped in quickly and pressed his lips to hers in what was meant to be a punishing kiss, but once their lips met, something happened. Sparks ignited. Her lips opened to him and his tongue invaded her mouth, scorching her.

  Just as quickly as the assault to her senses had began it ended.

  Tori knew she was standing there in shocked amazement and silence as Drue set her away from him.

  Her stomach was in tight knots and she tingled from head to toe.

  Never in a million years would she have expected their reunion to be like that. His kiss had seared her to her soul. She was certain she now knew what it must feel like to be struck by lightning.

  “I see you have yet to learn that when you strike a match, you could get burned, Victoria.” Drue drawled dryly.

  “I on the other hand have learned something new today.” he stat
ed sarcastically.

  His mouth twisted in that lopsided grin of his that always drove her crazy.

  “I think I may have discovered the only way to shut you up,” Drue stated. “Now I guess we are even.”

  With that he turned on his heel and headed back up to the house.

  Just as Drue came to the back door, Kevin came flying out of it. He looked at Drue with raised eyebrows smiling.

  “Hey big brother, did you have a fight with the tractor and loose?” Kevin goaded him mischievously.

  “Your evil twin has returned.” Drue stated dryly.

  Kevin’s head shot up and scanned the yard. His face lit up and he gave out such a hoop of joy that the birds scattered from their trees.

  Kevin bounded toward Tori. This caused Tori to shake the fuzz from her muddled brain. He picked her up hugging and swinging her around in circles of delight.

  He set her back down and held onto both her hands.

  “You’re back! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming today?”

  Tori smiled at her friend. It was so comforting to see him.

  “Are you alright? You’ve lost weight. Aren’t you eating? What...”

  Tori interrupted him

  “Kevin. Slow down.” She chuckled.

  “I’m fine. It’s just been a trying time. You know that.” She finished quietly.

  Kevin held her close and whispered in her ear.

  “I know, Sprite. It’s going to be all right. You know I am here for you.” He said gently.

  Tears fell as she clung to Kevin. She was so grateful for his support, especially since she felt so alone.

  Kevin stopped short and stared at his friend. With his typical raising of his eyebrows he questioned Tori.

  “Just what in the world have you gotten into,’ he asked as he wiped oil from the side of her face.

  “Don’t tell me you and Drue have mended fences and were working on the tractor together,” he teased.

  Tori looked down at her sweatshirt that was now streaked with oil.