I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (THE UNIT #1)

Who makes someone hate them first, only to lead them to all in love with them years later? Kody McCabe, that's who....

After being gone for six years to college, Ally Graham has returned to Marblepine's but just when she thinks the boy that tormented her for eighteen years is still in the Army and serving overseas, she's in for the surprise of her life when she runs into him at a small café. Just when things can't seem to get more complicated, they do.....

“Hello Ally.” He said my name softly. His smile was so warm it melted my insides like hot butter. I swallowed, though there wasn’t a thing in my mouth.
“Hi.” I said and waited for him to tell me his name. He was rather handsome and that might be an understatement. He’s tall for certain. I put him at a good six foot two, two hundred and fifty pounds of sheer muscle and lightly tanned skin. His eyes were a unique green and currently, his green eyed gaze was holding me captive and making it hard for me to breathe. He held a large hand out to me and I gave him mine. He held it in his hand, not shaking it, just holding it and staring down at me in what could only be described as curious wonder. But, at the same time, my "creeper" alarm was beginning to go off. I barely heard the door open or the Santa bell bumping it, I was so lost in his stare.
“Yo! McCabe! There you are man!” That name got my attention and I broke my gaze from the man and leaned forward, looking past him. I peered around the café, looking for the boy I loathed but didn’t see him anywhere. I hoped that he had been spotted outside the café somewhere and I leaned back against the booth, minus the hand that the man was still holding.
“I’m glad you’re back, Ally. It’s been a long time.” He told me. I smiled and cocked my head to the side and was about to ask if I knew him when Mr. Carver slapped the man on his back and beamed at him. The man never took his gaze off of mine.
“Welcome back Kody, welcome back son. You’re a real hero you know that? The whole town is so proud of you. I know your momma is sure proud of you and glad you’re home safely from all those foreign places you’ve been. Your daddy and well, hell, even Ally’s daddy, have talked nonstop about your coming home for a good month now.” Mr. Carver rambled on and I sat there, incapable of moving or speaking or forming a coherent sentence. My mouth was dry, my appetite was gone and nausea coupled with fear had replaced all things good, all things Christmas and a chill had replaced all things warm, despite the temperature in Madge’s Café.

Can she put the past behind them and give love a chance with Kody McCabe or is he too late to claim Ally's heart?