The Hearts We Leave Behind: A Novel by Buck Turner

Author:Buck Turner [Turner, Buck]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emoriland Press
Published: 2023-10-23T16:00:00+00:00

“The next day, she left. And just like that, our romance was over before it ever got started.”

Nora’s cheeks were wet with tears, her heart heavy in her chest. “Just… like that? Tell me that isn’t the end,” she choked out.

Mr. Carlisle handed her a napkin to dry her eyes.

“For the next few months, we wrote letters to one another religiously,” he said softly, “until D-Day. After that, I didn’t hear from her again for a very long time.”

Later that evening, Nora had dinner at John’s place, and then they curled up on the couch and watched a movie. Afterward, they went to the backyard and lay in the hammock, looking up at the night sky filled with a sea of stars.

“Do you ever wonder how many people have gazed at these stars?” he asked thoughtfully.

Nora raised her eyes to the heavens, taking in the twinkling lights. “I can’t say that the thought has ever crossed my mind. But I suppose every person, at one time or another, has looked at them.”

“Fascinating, isn’t it—how, even over millennia, we’re connected to those who’ve come before us, and those who will follow in our footsteps.”

The truth was she didn’t exactly find it fascinating, not at first. But the longer she thought about it, the more the idea grew on her. Nora rolled her head to the side and looked at John. And in his eyes she saw for the first time a man she could spend the rest of her life with.

“What is it?” He caught her staring at him.

“I was just thinking.” She curled into his chest.

“About what?”

“You. Me. Us.”

He put her arms around her and held her close to him. “What about us?”

“I was just imagining what we’d look like when we were older.”

He smiled warmly and spoke gently. “I’d still have my devilishly handsome good looks,” he said. “And you’d be just as gorgeous as ever.”

His words melted her heart, and she kissed him tenderly. “I wish you didn’t have to go to South Carolina this weekend. I think you’d enjoy meeting my family.” She thought of her mom, dad, and Gran. No doubt they’d be impressed with John.

“I’m sure I would,” he said, looking glum. “I’m sorry too. If there was any other way…”

“Can’t you just go next weekend?” She was clinging to a shred of hope that he would change his mind.

“I’m afraid it isn’t that simple.”

Nora’s heart was telling her there was more to the story, but instead of grilling him further, she decided to stop. After all, they were at that point in their relationship where they needed trust, not suspicion. And although they hadn’t verbally expressed it yet, she knew he loved her. And she loved him too.

“Tell me more about your grandmother.” He looked up to the heavens. “What was she like when you were growing up?”

“Gran was a firecracker.” Nora chuckled, thinking of all the fun they had. “When I was nine, Dad took a job in sales, which meant he spent a lot of time on the road.

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