So many things affect our returning soldiers not the least
of it survivor's guilt. Along with a myriad of physical and
emotional issues these men and women have to face an
uncertain future of how they can overcome these problems or
minimally learn to live with them.
This book starts a trilogy based on three soldiers that
luckily survive their active duty but with problems
acquired during their time abroad. Guilt plays a major role
with these young men that they actually survived when so
many of their men perished. Guilt that they disappointed
their families following their own dreams instead of those
of their family. Living and following in another's
footsteps is an awfully tall order. How can you possible
not wind up disappointing people whose ideas for your life
differ from your own.
Carson has many regrets most reside in his own mind, but
even so they impact everything he does. Carson and three
fellow soldiers have returned with a health issue that has
become quite prevalent with returning men. It isn't life
threatening but does give their lives some limitations that
they didn't have before. In Carson's eyes it's a distinct
disadvantage in finding a normal life now that he is home
on his ranch. Things like a wife and family just don't seem
to be in his future.
Carson and his buddies have hit upon a wonderful idea a way
to help the families of men that did not return. They set
up a dude ranch within Carson's working ranch designed for
children and their mothers to spend a week away from the
myriad of memories and harsh reminders of a missing husband
and father: a week long respite where every moment is
filled with adventure and service catering to their every
need. Carson personally knows several of the families that
will be getting a special invite to the dude ranch. He is
well aware that these lives need some space to gain back
the momentum of a life, many of these wives and children
are barely coping. He wants them to do better than just
cope; he wants to help give them back a chance at a real
life.
The first family belongs to Anthony Baretta his wife Tracy
and son Johnny. Anthony's family has been supporting Tracy
but she knows that they are quite a force. Even so her
Johnny has had a lot of problems in this last year. He is
attached to his mother, understandable when considering a
six year losing a father. This offer of a week on a ranch
would be so wonderful if Tracy can manage to get Johnny
there. Every step of the way is another hurdle to master.
But neither Tracy nor Carson ever imagined how just one
week would change all their lives.
Rebecca Winter's series touches on a very real and
important issue our society is already facing which is the
return of our military men and women. Many of these young
men and women have physical as well as emotional problems
that have to be addressed and handled with care and
respect. She represents these wounded warriors extremely
well. Winter's writes with heart and hopefulness and yet
remains honest in her wishes for happy endings for these
brave soldiers. She recognizes that different situations
have different perspectives for that happy ending. A desire
for something close to a normal life is the end goal for
Winter's returning warriors and true to form she does an
admiral job of doing just that.
A Cowboy Who Cares
Former marine Carson Lundgren's Wyoming ranch is a place
where families of fallen war heroes can find joy and
healing. The wounded vet is eager to give back, while
rebuilding his own life. The last thing he expected is to
fall for his first guest and her young son.
Widow Tracy Baretta and six-year-old Johnny have been
struggling since losing their husband and father. When they
meet Carson, his strength, patience and generosity—along
with how great he looks on a horse—leads little Johnny to
call him "king of the cowboys." They've fallen in love
with the place…and maybe with the man himself.
But is Tracy just looking for a surrogate father? Or could
this incredible cowboy really be the one who'll make her and
her son believe in love again?
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