Jenna Mindel - A Soldier's Prayer

Live for today. Love for tomorrow...

Maple Springs is where second chances begin.

Staggered by her cancer diagnosis, Monica Zelinsky seeks the solitude of her uncle’s remote cabin. Instead, she finds her brother’s best friend, too-handsome marine Cash Miller, and his two young nephews. Now Monica and Cash’s long-hidden attraction could become something deeper— if they let it. Because when the future is uncertain, falling in love is the greatest act of hope imaginable...

JENNA MINDELlives in northwest Michigan with her husband and their three dogs. A 2006 Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, Jenna has answered her heart’s call to write inspirational romances set near the Great Lakes.

Also By Jenna Mindel

Maple Springs

Falling for the Mom-to-Be

A Soldier’s Valentine

A Temporary Courtship

An Unexpected Family

Holiday Baby

A Soldier’s Prayer

Big Sky Centennial

His Montana Homecoming

Mending Fences

Season of Dreams

Courting Hope

Season of Redemption

The Deputy’s New Family

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

A Soldier’s Prayer

Jenna Mindel

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09682-9

A SOLDIER’S PRAYER

© 2019 Jenna Mindel

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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Growing up, Monica had been resolutely off-limits...

Monica tipped her head and all that gloriously long and stick-straight blond hair slid over her shoulder. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it to Cole’s funeral.”

“It’s not like we live close anymore. Five hours’ drive round-trip makes for a long day.”

Cash glanced at Monica and caught the turmoil in her face. “You okay?”

She nodded. “What can I do?”

He narrowed his gaze. “Not much you can do. These things happen.”

“I meant dinner. How can I help?”

He blew out his breath, glad for a reason to escape the trip down a pain-filled memory lane. “You can help by making patties, and I’ll get the grill going.”

“Deal.”

Out on the deck, the sun hung low in the sky. Leaning against the railing, Cash wondered why Monica would come up here by herself. Part of him hoped she would stay.

The other part worried that being around Monica for very long was asking for trouble.

Dear Reader,

I hate cancer for what it does and the wreckage it leaves behind. I, like many of you, have friends and family who have been touched by this awful disease. I was halfway into writing this book when my brother was diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer and that really brought this subject much too close to home. As I write this, his treatments are complete and his outlook is very good. I thank God for His healing!

By choosing a heroine with cancer, I wanted to honor those who’ve been there before. Monica has never been comfortable in her own skin and that plays deep into her insecurities at the start of this book. What I love about her is that she becomes a true warrior who overcomes those insecurities supported by the unwavering love of the hero, as well as her trust in God.

Living a redeemed life doesn’t mean we won’t face trials or even end up with cancer. But we do have a God Who walks with us in this imperfect life whether our race is long or cut short.

My prayer is that we keep our eyes fixed on the eternal prize and live the life God gave us, focused on Him.

Jenna

I love to hear from readers. Please visit my website at www.jennamindel.comor follow me on www.Facebook.com/authorjennamindelor drop me a note c/o Love Inspired Books, 195 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

—Romans 8:37

For those who have run or are running the race.

Acknowledgments

My special thanks to Chrystianna for telling great stories of her two boys. They were my inspiration for Ethan and Owen.

Huge thanks to Aunt Colleen for her insight and knowledge of the process surrounding a diagnosis for breast cancer. I really appreciate it. Love you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Extract

About the Publisher

Monica Zelinsky had to get away and think. Think. She had just turned thirty and yet life as she knew it was over. From here on out she’d be considered a cancer survivor. If she survived. If the cancer didn’t spread. She prayed it wouldn’t.