The Life Not Chosen

It was a small town cliché, but all such things have their roots in real life.

As children, Shane Marchand and Kayla Knight were best friends. Come high school, they turned into that cliché of an unlikely couple--her the star student and valedictorian with a bright future; him the troublemaker with his eyes set on a military career. After graduation they went their separate ways, promising to never be apart for long.

Grievously wounded in Afghanistan, Shane fell into himself and then into a bottle, cutting all ties with his high school sweetheart. After twelve years, he returned to their little hometown of Vinton, Louisiana to find her engaged. Desperate to regain her love, he confessed his and asked her to run away with him.

To everyone’s surprise, Kayla agrees. A move west to San Antonio turns out to be exactly the thing Kayla needed to find her way in life. As for Shane, he’s finally got the woman and the future he wants within reach, but it turns out demons don’t drown that easily.