Reunited Hearts

Two words jerked Trent Michaels out of his comfort zone, tunneling him back a dozen years, pre-West Point, pre-deployment, a young man searching for answers. For hope. "Alyssa. Hello."

Heart pumping from a swift adrenaline punch, Trent stared straight ahead as his high school love leaned down to accept his new boss's hug, looking…

Amazing. Beautiful. Wonderful.

His heart ground to a stop, unwilling to believe what his eyes held true. Dark brown hair, clipped back, framed a face no less beautiful at thirty. Probably more so, the mature features offering a true version of what girlish looks had only hinted. Dark brows arched over hazel eyes, tiny spikes of gold lighting the color from within, her profile as dear and familiar now as it had been twelve years past.

But what was she doing in Jamison, New York?

He'd checked before accepting Helen Walker's offer of military liaison with Walker Electronics. A good soldier always appraised his front line, and Trent had a slew of battlefield commendations testifying to his thoroughness. As of last week, Alyssa had been living in a squirrel's hole-sized town in eastern Montana.

"How's your father, dear? The surgery went well, I hear?"

Lyssa nodded, her expression warm, a small smile curving soft, sweet lips he remembered like it was yesterday. "Yes, thank you, although he's already chomping at the bit. My mother has her hands full."

Helen clucked womanly empathy. "I'll bet she does, but at least you were able to come back." She squeezed Lyssa's hand in a silent message, her look sympathetic. "That's a big help right there."

"I hope so." Lyssa straightened, her gaze traveling the table full of men with a polite smile of welcome, right until she came to him.

She stopped.

Stared.

So did he.

One hand came to her throat in a convulsive movement. She didn't look happy to see him. Shoc