Long Time Coming Summary, Characters and Themes

Long Time Coming by S.L. Scott is a touching and emotional novel that explores the complexities of love, family, and second chances.  The story centers around Christine “Pris” Greene, a young woman living in the small town of Peachtree Pass, Texas, who is reunited with Tagger Grange, her childhood crush, after years of separation.

Tagger, now a father, returns to the town with his son, and the two find themselves grappling with the unresolved feelings that arise from their past, as well as the realities of their present lives.  As their relationship evolves, they are forced to confront their emotional baggage, family dynamics, and the uncertainty of their future together. The novel delves into themes of nostalgia, personal growth, and the challenges of navigating love amidst the backdrop of a small-town setting.

Summary

Christine “Pris” Greene’s life in the small town of Peachtree Pass, Texas, takes an unexpected turn when she bumps into Tagger Grange, her childhood crush, after eight years.  Pris is now 26, running a ranch she inherited from her mother, and Tagger, who left town years ago, has returned with his son, Beckett.

The two were once close friends, but the years have changed them both in significant ways.  Despite the time apart, there’s an undeniable spark between them.

However, their reunion is tinged with awkwardness, especially when Pris learns of Tagger’s son and the complicated life he’s built since leaving.

Tagger, now a father, introduces Beckett to Pris, which takes her by surprise since she never knew about his son.  Their reunion stirs up old emotions in Pris, and as they interact, it becomes clear that she’s still drawn to him.

However, her brother Baylor’s protective nature and Tagger’s life in New York complicate the situation.  While Tagger is in town to reconnect with his roots and offer his son a taste of small-town life, Pris finds herself in a battle between her lingering feelings for him and her responsibilities on the ranch.

Pris’ friend Lauralee encourages her to explore her feelings for Tagger, but Pris remains cautious, knowing the complications involved, especially concerning her brother.  The chemistry between her and Tagger only grows stronger, and as they spend more time together, their attraction is undeniable.

Tagger opens up about his struggles with his ex-wife Anna and his desire for a simpler, more grounded life, which makes him question his decision to stay in New York.

As Tagger and Pris reconnect, the emotional pull between them becomes harder to ignore.  Despite their growing feelings, Pris is unsure whether pursuing a relationship with Tagger is worth the potential heartbreak, given his life in New York and his son, Beckett, whom he’s raising.

Meanwhile, Tagger is dealing with the complexities of his past, including unresolved feelings for Pris and the tension with his ex-wife.  Their relationship grows through subtle moments, flirtation, and meaningful conversations, as they both wrestle with their feelings and the uncertainties of what a future together might look like.

The tension between their past and present becomes more pronounced as Tagger’s internal conflict intensifies.  He longs for a deeper connection with Pris, but the complications of his life in New York loom large.

He struggles with his role as a father and his desire for a life away from the fast-paced world of corporate New York.  As the relationship between him and Pris deepens, it’s clear that they are both questioning their choices and what they truly want from life.

Pris, on the other hand, faces her own dilemmas.  She is caught between her emotional desires and her practical obligations to the ranch and her family.

Her brother Baylor, who has always been protective of her, complicates things further.  He is not pleased with Tagger’s return to town and his growing closeness with Pris.

As the story unfolds, Baylor’s feelings of betrayal start to surface, and the tension between the brothers adds another layer of complexity to the already fragile relationship.

Despite these challenges, the bond between Tagger and Pris becomes undeniable.  As their relationship evolves, they navigate the difficulties of keeping their romance secret, especially as Tagger struggles with his feelings of guilt about betraying his friendship with Baylor.

The two find solace in their connection, finding comfort in their shared past and the new experiences they are creating together.

However, their journey is not without its setbacks.  Tagger’s complicated relationship with his ex-wife and his struggle to balance his role as a father with his growing feelings for Pris only add to the emotional turmoil.

Tagger’s deep love for Pris begins to override his career-driven mindset, making him question what’s truly important in his life.  He starts to realize that he may need to make sacrifices to be with her, even if it means walking away from his successful corporate life in New York.

Meanwhile, Pris faces her own emotional challenges, torn between her love for Tagger and her loyalty to her family.  She struggles with the weight of her brother’s expectations and the fear of losing Tagger when his time in Peachtree Pass comes to an end.

As they both continue to grapple with their feelings, the stakes grow higher, and their future together becomes increasingly uncertain.

The culmination of their journey leads to a moment of emotional reckoning.  Tagger makes a life-changing decision to fully commit to Pris and the life they could build together.

He asks her to marry him, despite the obstacles they face, including the tension with his ex-wife and his career in New York.  In a moment of vulnerability, they confront their fears, misunderstandings, and the uncertainty that comes with love.

Despite the challenges, their love grows stronger, and the couple finds a way to navigate the complexities of their relationship, blending their pasts and forging a new future together.

As the story concludes, Tagger and Pris find themselves at the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.  They marry on the ranch, surrounded by family and friends, with their love for each other and the strength they’ve gained through their struggles making their bond unbreakable.

Their journey is a testament to resilience, second chances, and the power of love to overcome obstacles.  Together, they look forward to a future filled with promise, family, and the possibility of expanding their family further.

Characters

Tagger Grange

Tagger Grange is a complex character who finds himself caught between two contrasting worlds: the corporate life he left behind in New York and the simpler, more fulfilling life he begins to build in Texas.  Initially, Tagger is portrayed as a man who has achieved professional success but feels a deep sense of loneliness and emptiness.

His return to Peachtree Pass, Texas, marks a turning point in his life as he reconnects with his roots and the people he once knew, particularly Christine “Pris” Greene.  Tagger is a father to Beckett, a young boy, and his relationships are often influenced by his responsibilities as a parent, which adds an additional layer of complexity to his feelings.

His interactions with Pris are charged with tension and unspoken emotions, as he grapples with his attraction to her while being aware of the boundaries set by their shared past and family connections.  Throughout the novel, Tagger’s internal conflict grows as he realizes that his feelings for Pris are not just physical but emotional.

He is faced with difficult choices, including the sacrifice of his high-powered career to be with her.  In the end, his character evolves as he decides to prioritize love and family over the career that once defined him.

Tagger’s journey is one of growth, self-discovery, and the realization that love, family, and personal happiness are more important than professional success.

Christine “Pris” Greene

Christine Greene, known as Pris, is a resilient and independent woman who works tirelessly to keep her family’s ranch running after her mother’s death.  Her life is marked by a sense of responsibility and loyalty, particularly towards her brother, Baylor, and her late mother.

Pris’s life takes a turn when she reconnects with Tagger Grange, her childhood crush.  Initially, Pris is hesitant and emotionally guarded, unsure of whether to revisit her feelings for Tagger, especially with the complications of their past and her brother’s protective nature.

Over time, however, Pris finds herself drawn to him, torn between the comfort of their shared history and the new dynamics of their relationship.  She is acutely aware of the obstacles they face, including family tensions, societal expectations, and the uncertainty of Tagger’s future in New York.

As their relationship deepens, Pris reveals more of her vulnerabilities and inner complexities.  She navigates her emotions with a sense of practicality, always trying to balance her desires with her responsibilities.

Despite her growing feelings for Tagger, she is not blind to the realities of their situation.  Throughout the story, Pris’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to embrace love, let go of her past insecurities, and take risks for the sake of her happiness.

Baylor Greene

Baylor Greene, Pris’s older brother, is a key figure in the story, serving as both a protector and a symbol of the emotional baggage that Pris carries from her childhood.  Baylor’s overprotectiveness stems from his deep sense of responsibility for his sister after their mother’s passing.

His relationship with Tagger is complicated, especially when it comes to Tagger’s romantic involvement with Pris.  Baylor initially views Tagger as a potential threat, feeling betrayed by his best friend’s advances toward his sister.

Baylor’s internal conflict is one of guilt and unresolved grief, stemming from his own emotional struggles after their mother’s death.  His feelings of abandonment and guilt cause tension in his relationship with both Pris and Tagger, but his eventual apology and acceptance of Tagger reflect his own personal growth.

Baylor’s character arc is one of healing, as he comes to terms with his past and learns to trust Tagger, allowing his family to move forward.

Lauralee

Lauralee is Pris’s best friend and confidante, providing both emotional support and comic relief throughout the story.  She is a grounded and practical woman who works at the bakery in Peachtree Pass, and her friendship with Pris is a source of stability and comfort.

Lauralee encourages Pris to embrace her feelings for Tagger, despite the complications that their relationship brings.  She often acts as a sounding board for Pris, helping her navigate the emotional turmoil she faces as she contemplates her future with Tagger.

Lauralee’s role in the story is important because she represents the voice of reason and support that Pris needs, especially when she struggles with self-doubt and uncertainty.  Lauralee’s loyalty to her friend is unwavering, and her presence provides an important counterbalance to the more intense emotional conflicts that Pris experiences throughout the story.

Beckett Grange

Beckett Grange is Tagger’s young son, who plays a pivotal role in the narrative.  Though he is a secondary character, Beckett’s presence in the story is essential to the emotional development of Tagger’s character.

As a father, Tagger is deeply invested in Beckett’s well-being, and his desire to create a better life for his son is one of the driving forces behind his decision to return to Texas.  Beckett’s relationship with both Tagger and Pris adds depth to the story, particularly as it highlights Tagger’s softer, more vulnerable side.

Beckett also serves as a catalyst for Tagger’s decisions regarding his future, as Tagger grapples with the question of how to balance his personal life with his responsibilities as a father.  While Beckett is not as central to the romantic plot, his character serves as a reminder of the importance of family and the sacrifices that come with parenthood.

Anna

Anna, Tagger’s ex-wife, represents a complicated chapter in Tagger’s past.  Her appearance in the story, particularly when she announces her engagement and plans to move to Paris, creates a sense of emotional tension for both Tagger and the reader.

Anna’s relationship with Tagger is a source of unresolved conflict, particularly in relation to their son, Beckett.  Her character’s presence is instrumental in illustrating Tagger’s emotional struggles as he tries to reconcile his past with his present.

Anna’s engagement and move to Paris complicate the possibility of Tagger fully committing to Pris, as he continues to navigate his responsibilities as a father.  While Anna’s character does not play a large role in the romantic development of the story, her impact on Tagger’s emotional journey is significant, highlighting his growth as a person and as a parent.

Themes

Love and Longing

The theme of love and longing plays a central role in Long Time Coming.  Tagger and Pris’s relationship evolves from childhood attraction to a complex adult romance, fraught with complications and unspoken feelings.

Despite the years of separation and their different life paths, the connection between them remains palpable.  Both characters harbor feelings for one another but are hesitant to act on them due to their past, familial ties, and the constraints of their current situations.

Tagger’s return to Peachtree Pass marks the beginning of their emotional reconnection, but the love they share isn’t simple or easy.  Their feelings are muddled by memories of the past, their evolving personalities, and the reality of their respective lives.

As they navigate these emotions, longing becomes a constant theme.  Tagger longs for a simpler life, one that is rooted in the connections he had growing up, while Pris longs for a love that transcends her small-town existence and offers something more meaningful than what she currently knows.

Their interactions are filled with tension as they struggle to reconcile their desire for one another with the barriers that stand in their way.

As the story progresses, the couple’s longing is highlighted by their struggles to balance their emotions with the practicalities of their lives.  Tagger, torn between his life in New York and his love for Pris, finds himself longing for a sense of belonging in the small town, while Pris, after years of being grounded in her responsibilities, starts to entertain the idea of a future with Tagger despite her fears of heartache.

The recurring theme of longing underscores the emotional depth of their relationship and the push-pull dynamic that keeps them connected despite their hesitations.  The emotional intensity of their love drives them to confront their past, their fears, and the uncertainty of their future, showing how longing can shape and propel relationships forward.

Family and Its Complications

Family is a pivotal theme in Long Time Coming, influencing many of the characters’ actions and emotions.  Tagger’s return to Peachtree Pass is rooted in his desire to reconnect with his roots and his son, Beckett, while Pris’s deep ties to her family, especially her brother Baylor, complicate her relationship with Tagger.

The novel explores the concept of family not just in the traditional sense but as an emotional and psychological anchor for the characters.  For Tagger, his return represents a retreat from the high-powered, disconnected life he has in New York, allowing him to rediscover a sense of warmth and connection with his past.

However, his presence in Peachtree Pass is met with tension, particularly from Baylor, Pris’s protective older brother.  Baylor’s role as a surrogate protector of Pris creates a constant conflict, as his loyalty to his sister prevents him from accepting Tagger’s presence in their lives without suspicion.

The complications within Pris’s family reach a breaking point when Baylor confronts Tagger, accusing him of exploiting their bond for personal gain.  This emotional distance between the siblings adds a layer of conflict that complicates the romance between Tagger and Pris.

The emotional rift in their family, along with the unresolved guilt surrounding their mother’s death, also plays a key role in shaping their actions.  It isn’t until Baylor confronts his own feelings of inadequacy and guilt that the family begins to heal, and the dynamics between the characters evolve.

Additionally, Tagger’s relationship with his ex-wife, Anna, is fraught with complications regarding their son, Beckett.  The emotional ties to his past marriage complicate his burgeoning feelings for Pris, and the tension between family duties and romantic love becomes a recurring issue.

In the end, the theme of family reveals itself as a double-edged sword: a source of love and support, but also one of obligation, conflict, and emotional baggage that must be navigated for the characters to move forward in their relationships.

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Throughout Long Time Coming, both Tagger and Pris undergo significant personal growth and self-discovery.  Their journey toward self-actualization is marked by their evolving understanding of what they want from life and how their pasts shape their present decisions.

Tagger’s transition from a high-powered corporate executive to a man seeking a simpler, more meaningful existence in Peachtree Pass reflects his internal conflict between ambition and fulfillment.  His relationship with Pris forces him to reevaluate his priorities, as he must come to terms with the fact that his career, while fulfilling in some ways, does not bring him the contentment he finds in the small-town life and in his emotional connection with her.

For Pris, her personal growth is equally profound, as she navigates the responsibilities of running her family’s farm, the complexities of her relationship with Tagger, and her struggle to balance her love for him with her loyalty to her family.  As the story progresses, Pris moves from being a pragmatic, emotionally cautious woman to someone who dares to dream of a future that includes Tagger, even though she is uncertain of what that future will look like.

Her decision to pursue a relationship with Tagger, despite the complications and emotional risks, marks a pivotal moment of self-discovery.  She learns to embrace her desires and allow herself to be vulnerable, which contrasts with her previously self-reliant, emotionally guarded nature.

In Tagger’s case, the process of self-discovery involves confronting his past, his relationships, and his fears about commitment.  His internal struggle about whether to stay in New York or commit to a life in Peachtree Pass illustrates his conflict between pursuing career success and seeking emotional fulfillment.

Ultimately, both Tagger and Pris must confront their fears of change and vulnerability, and their personal growth is a crucial component of their relationship’s development.

The Impact of the Past on the Present

The theme of the past’s influence on the present is woven throughout Long Time Coming, with both Tagger and Pris grappling with their histories.  For Tagger, his return to Peachtree Pass brings unresolved memories and emotions tied to his childhood, his relationship with his family, and his failed marriage.

His past with Anna and his promise to Baylor shape his actions, particularly his hesitation to pursue a relationship with Pris.  His return to the ranch also forces him to confront the life he once left behind, which he must now reconcile with the person he has become.

His unresolved emotions regarding his ex-wife, Anna, and their son Beckett add complexity to his emotional state, especially when his feelings for Pris begin to resurface.

For Pris, the past is a constant presence, especially in her relationship with her brother Baylor.  Her mother’s death and the subsequent family dynamics left an indelible mark on her, shaping her sense of responsibility and emotional distance from those around her.

The tension between her desire for a new romantic future and the guilt she feels about potentially betraying her family adds emotional weight to her journey.  As she reconnects with Tagger, she also faces the reality of her past, which she must learn to embrace in order to move forward with him.

The novel shows how the past continues to shape the characters’ decisions, emotions, and relationships.  Whether it’s family dynamics, lost love, or personal regrets, the weight of the past is something that both characters must learn to navigate in order to find happiness and fulfillment in the present.