Belle Calhoune - Heart of a Soldier

A Soldier’s Unexpected Homecoming

Returning soldier Dylan Hart heads to Texas to finally meet pen pal Holly Lynch. When he arrives, he’s shocked to discover the plucky beauty he fell in love with has kept a very big secret. Scarred emotionally by his past, Dylan is deeply hurt that Holly didn’t trust him with such a vital truth about herself. When he’s hired as a cowboy on her family’s vast ranch, he’s committed to staying in town. And as he slowly reconnects with the woman whose letters once saved him, he’ll have to take a look inside his heart to discover what matters most.

“I’m sorry you came all the way here, only to be disappointed.”

“No, it’s not about that,” Dylan said. “It’s just—”

Just what? How could he explain it to Holly without hurting her or making her feel more ashamed of the information she’d withheld? He needed to be sensitive to her feelings, but at the same time, he couldn’t sugarcoat things.

He had to be honest with himself, as well as Holly.

“I suppose you had a preconceived notion about me, right?” she asked. “Cute. Blonde. Blue-eyed. Standing on two feet.”

She breathed out a tiny huff of air. “Wheelchairs don’t exactly come to mind when you’re painting a picture in your head of someone, do they?”

He let out a ragged sigh, then raked his fingers through his military cut. “If I’d known from the beginning I’m sure I wouldn’t be feeling this way. Okay, that’s not true. Or maybe it is. I just feel a little caught off guard.”

Where would they go from here?

BELLE CALHOUNE

was born and raised in Massachusetts. Some of her fondest childhood memories revolve around her four siblings and spending summers in Cape Cod. Although both her parents were in the medical field, she became an avid reader of romance novels as a teen and began dreaming of a career as an author. Shortly thereafter, she began writing her own stories. Married to her college sweetheart, she is raising two lovely daughters in Connecticut. A dog lover, she has a beautiful chocolate Lab and an adorable mini poodle. After studying French for ten years and traveling extensively throughout France, she considers herself a Francophile. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time in Cape Cod and planning her next Parisian escape. She finds writing inspirational romance to be a joyful experience that nurtures her soul. You can write to her at scalhoune@gmail.com or contact her through her website, bellecalhoune.com.

Heart of a Soldier

Belle Calhoune

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

—Psalms 37:4

For my daughter Sierra.

I love your independence, creativity and wisdom.

You are beautiful inside and out, with the heart

and imagination of a writer. I love watching you

soar like an Eagle. Always remember there are

no limits to the things you can achieve.

Acknowledgments Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction About the Author Title Page 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 Epilogue Dear Reader Questions for Discussion Extract Copyright

For all my family and friends for all their support

and love, especially my Dad, my sister, Karen,

and my friend Lim Riley.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my editor, Emily Rodmell,

for catching all the things I tend to overlook

and for wholeheartedly embracing my heroine.

I am very grateful to all the readers who wrote to me

asking when I was going to write Holly’s story.

Your enthusiasm inspired me to create

a love story worthy of all your expectations.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Soldier’s Unexpected Homecoming Returning soldier Dylan Hart heads to Texas to finally meet pen pal Holly Lynch. When he arrives, he’s shocked to discover the plucky beauty he fell in love with has kept a very big secret. Scarred emotionally by his past, Dylan is deeply hurt that Holly didn’t trust him with such a vital truth about herself. When he’s hired as a cowboy on her family’s vast ranch, he’s committed to staying in town. And as he slowly reconnects with the woman whose letters once saved him, he’ll have to take a look inside his heart to discover what matters most.

Introduction “I’m sorry you came all the way here, only to be disappointed.” “No, it’s not about that,” Dylan said. “It’s just—” Just what? How could he explain it to Holly without hurting her or making her feel more ashamed of the information she’d withheld? He needed to be sensitive to her feelings, but at the same time, he couldn’t sugarcoat things. He had to be honest with himself, as well as Holly. “I suppose you had a preconceived notion about me, right?” she asked. “Cute. Blonde. Blue-eyed. Standing on two feet.” She breathed out a tiny huff of air. “Wheelchairs don’t exactly come to mind when you’re painting a picture in your head of someone, do they?” He let out a ragged sigh, then raked his fingers through his military cut. “If I’d known from the beginning I’m sure I wouldn’t be feeling this way. Okay, that’s not true. Or maybe it is. I just feel a little caught off guard.” Where would they go from here?

About the Author BELLE CALHOUNE was born and raised in Massachusetts. Some of her fondest childhood memories revolve around her four siblings and spending summers in Cape Cod. Although both her parents were in the medical field, she became an avid reader of romance novels as a teen and began dreaming of a career as an author. Shortly thereafter, she began writing her own stories. Married to her college sweetheart, she is raising two lovely daughters in Connecticut. A dog lover, she has a beautiful chocolate Lab and an adorable mini poodle. After studying French for ten years and traveling extensively throughout France, she considers herself a Francophile. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time in Cape Cod and planning her next Parisian escape. She finds writing inspirational romance to be a joyful experience that nurtures her soul. You can write to her at scalhoune@gmail.com or contact her through her website, bellecalhoune.com .

Title Page Heart of a Soldier Belle Calhoune www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. —Psalms 37:4

Dedication For my daughter Sierra. I love your independence, creativity and wisdom. You are beautiful inside and out, with the heart and imagination of a writer. I love watching you soar like an Eagle. Always remember there are no limits to the things you can achieve.

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