The Boy in the Barn by Ciana Stone

Author:Ciana Stone [Stone, Ciana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Original Syn
Published: 2020-01-23T16:00:00+00:00

Hayes wished he was alone. He read the letter once, and then again, slower. He wasn't sure how to deal with the emotions the letter evoked. He'd spent his entire adult life thinking she'd just written him off when, in reality, she'd never even known he'd written to her. He had no doubt now that her father had been responsible for having his letters returned.

Which meant Sophie had spent her entire life thinking he'd just walked away.

At least her entire life until now. He wondered what she thought when she read the letter, and his eyes moved over the words again.

Dear Sophie,

Maybe this was a mistake. Not a minute goes by that I don't think about you. I should have found a way to bring you with me, find you a place to live until I made it through boot camp.

I'm alone. Yeah, I know there are a couple thousand recruits here, but without you, I'm alone, and I hate it.

I miss you, Sophie, so much it's like my guts are twisted. I'm coming back for you. Just as soon as I can, I'm coming back for you.

I love you, Sophie. You're the only person who matters to me.

Please wait for me.

Luke

Had Hayes been alone, he might actually have cried. But how could he with Cole sitting beside him. Just thinking the boy's name brought a question to mind, and he looked at Cole. "Is there something you want to ask me?"

"Yes, sir"

"Then ask."

Cole hesitated, and Hayes could almost feel the tension rolling off him. Finally, Cole nodded. "Okay. Are you my father?"

Hayes had anticipated the question. What he hadn't expected was the punch it delivered. "You tell me."

"You're the Luke who wrote this?"

"I don't know. Am I? I knew a girl named Sophie Johnson, who lived in Lincolnton, Georgia. She saved my life. More than once. I don't know Sophie Morgan."

"My mom was born Sophie Johnson. She changed her name to Morgan because she said she hated her father and didn't want his name to taint me."

"Then why did she give you the name Hayes?"

Cole barked a laugh. "I guess it meant something to her – that he meant that much to her. Maybe I was wrong, maybe you aren't that Luke Hayes. She loved him, even if he did leave and break her heart."

Hayes hadn't expected that answer. "Did it? Break her heart?"

"Master Chief Hayes, my mother never loved anyone but the boy who got her pregnant with me. She's had plenty of guys interested, but she doesn't even give them a chance. I asked her once why she didn't give it a try. Maybe there was someone who'd capture her heart out there and she could have someone to share her life with.. You know what she said?"

"No, obviously not."

"Yeah, right. Well, she said her heart wasn't available to be captured. It still belonged to someone. You get that? She's spent her entire life loving you – or the idea of you. So, let me ask you again, sir.

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