Introduction

𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦.

Reeling from a three-year tour overseas and memories that taunt him even in broad daylight, Royce Buchanan returns to his hometown. The warm, carefree man that boarded the plane and waved goodbye three years ago is overshadowed by ghosts, scathing tones, and icy stares.

It's going to take patience, unyielding loyalty, and maybe a tumble into some wood chips to bring this soldier the healing he needs.

Ashlin Kinney carries her own pain, and she isn't prepared to face the man that went from being a close confidante to a perfect stranger. The feelings that she's always had for her childhood friend still linger; all she has to do is hope they're enough.

She was always told growing up that love was healing.

Some stories? They start with a kiss. Others end with it. What if theirs does both?

#OpenNovellaContest2020
🏅 ROUND ONE QUALIFIER
🏅 ROUND TWO QUALIFIER