Home to Wind River – Lily Thompson

From Home to Wind River by Lindsay McKenna, Book 7, Wind River Valley Series

For some, love is the only medicine . . .
After a harrowing tour of duty in Afghanistan, Army nurse Lily Thompson escapes to Wind River Ranch to find herself once more. Working as a caregiver to foreman Jake Murdoch’s elderly mother, Lily almost feels at peace—except for the unsettling presence of Jake, a tight-lipped, intimidating man everyone calls Bear. But one look in the powerful ex-Marine’s eyes and Lily glimpses a vulnerability that shakes her soul: a hurt she understands all too well—and longs to heal . . .
Jake is ready to rail at the fates when Lily moves into his home. Everything about this captivating woman calls to him, demanding that he abandon his solitary stance and start to live again. But Jake is a man who knows that no one can save him from the past that stalks his heart and mind. Not even sweet, achingly beautiful Lily. Still, that doesn’t stop his longing to pull her into his arms—and keep her there forever. Will time, and patience, bring them the courage to make their connection real? . . .

Dear Reader,
 
Since I was in the military (US Navy), my life is oriented to vets, after they leave the service. I have many friends who have gone through the nonstop wars since 9/11, either in Iraq, Afghanistan or both. 
 
I’ve seen the emotional and mental toll it has taken on them. I’ve been wanting to write about a woman named Lily for a long time.  I know a number of women who are very soft-hearted, sensitive and yet, things happen to their superstructure when they are thrown into combat situations.
 
Everyone responds to shock and trauma differently. I wanted to share Lily’s story, of how she felt broken, knew she was broken by her military service, and yet, fought desperately every day to get the “old Lily” back. She just wanted to be who she was before combat.
 
Nothing is ever the same after a shock or trauma. How we respond to it, whether we give up, we fight or are too scared to do anything, all depends upon the individual.
 
This is Lily’s story of coming out of the darkness and the small, everyday things she does in her life on the Wind River Ranch.  Often, it is the rhythm of each day that ends up being a support for all of us during our healing journey toward light and happiness. 
 
Come join Lily on her steps toward the light and finding something she never expected: love at the end of that harrowing tunnel and more joy than she could have imagined.
 

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna