Jenna Mindel - A Soldier's Valentine

The Captain’s Homecoming

Retired army captain Zach Zelinsky is determined to put his harrowing past behind him and start a quiet life selling his artwork. But the storefront building he buys comes with a tenant—a too-pretty tea shop owner who doesn’t give him a moment’s rest. Ginger Carleton is rallying the merchants of Maple Springs, Michigan, for a Valentine’s Day window-decorating contest. And she’s on a mission to convince Zach to lose the gruff exterior and open up to her. As February 14 approaches, the wounded warrior may just find that Ginger is offering exactly what he’s been missing: love.

Ginger was too fresh-faced and innocent, Zach thought.

Yet she hadn’t asked about his arm. Or his dream. Did she know?

Ginger sat at the end of the couch and tucked her bare feet under his blankets. “I’m surprised you don’t have a family of your own.”

An interesting way of asking why he wasn’t married. “Never got around to it, I guess.”

“How come?”

He gave her the truth. “I saw too many guys torn up over leaving their wives and kids. Having to shut down to do the job. I didn’t want that. What about you? No boyfriends?”

She looked away. “Ah, no.”

“How come?” He repeated her words.

She shrugged. “They’re a hassle.”

Her fingers brushed his bare skin near the scar and she froze. “When did you get this?”

That raw whisper made him look into her wide brown eyes. “Three years ago.”

She looked horrified. Her hair tickled his shoulder and he inhaled quick and sharp. She smelled nice. Really nice. Like flowers and rain. He caught her wide eyes.

Did she feel it, too, this hum of awareness between them?

JENNA MINDEL lives 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.

A Soldier’s Valentine

Jenna Mindel

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

—Philippians 4:8–9

To those who serve.

Acknowledgments 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 Dear Reader Extract Copyright

Lawrence Fry, SFC, US Army, Retired.

Thank you for your amazing insight into

rank and structure, as well as answering

my many questions about the army.

Hopefully, I got it right.

Harry Boyer of Boyer Glassworks. Thank you

for sharing your knowledge and taking the

time to give a glass demonstration that really

brought this incredible art to life.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The Captain’s Homecoming Retired army captain Zach Zelinsky is determined to put his harrowing past behind him and start a quiet life selling his artwork. But the storefront building he buys comes with a tenant—a too-pretty tea shop owner who doesn’t give him a moment’s rest. Ginger Carleton is rallying the merchants of Maple Springs, Michigan, for a Valentine’s Day window-decorating contest. And she’s on a mission to convince Zach to lose the gruff exterior and open up to her. As February 14 approaches, the wounded warrior may just find that Ginger is offering exactly what he’s been missing: love.

Introduction Ginger was too fresh-faced and innocent, Zach thought. Yet she hadn’t asked about his arm. Or his dream. Did she know? Ginger sat at the end of the couch and tucked her bare feet under his blankets. “I’m surprised you don’t have a family of your own.” An interesting way of asking why he wasn’t married. “Never got around to it, I guess.” “How come?” He gave her the truth. “I saw too many guys torn up over leaving their wives and kids. Having to shut down to do the job. I didn’t want that. What about you? No boyfriends?” She looked away. “Ah, no.” “How come?” He repeated her words. She shrugged. “They’re a hassle.” Her fingers brushed his bare skin near the scar and she froze. “When did you get this?” That raw whisper made him look into her wide brown eyes. “Three years ago.” She looked horrified. Her hair tickled his shoulder and he inhaled quick and sharp. She smelled nice. Really nice. Like flowers and rain. He caught her wide eyes. Did she feel it, too, this hum of awareness between them?

About the Author JENNA MINDEL lives 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.

Title Page A Soldier’s Valentine Jenna Mindel www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. —Philippians 4:8–9

Dedication To those who serve.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments 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 Dear Reader Extract Copyright Lawrence Fry, SFC, US Army, Retired. Thank you for your amazing insight into rank and structure, as well as answering my many questions about the army. Hopefully, I got it right. Harry Boyer of Boyer Glassworks. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and taking the time to give a glass demonstration that really brought this incredible art to life.

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

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

There was nothing quite like a small-town parade welcoming home one of their own from active duty to inspire pride. Ginger Carleton breathed in the cold January air, feeling very proud that Maple Springs had embraced her idea. The short parade had gone off without a hitch, and even the mayor had been pleased.

Getting folks downtown in winter was always a challenge, but then Zach Zelinsky’s return made for the perfect opportunity. One she wasn’t about to let go.

There he was!

Ginger’s heart beat a little faster. Captain Zach was her new landlord, and he walked toward her with purpose. They hadn’t met in person despite the fact that the man had not only bought her building where she lived and operated a small tea shop, but he’d raised her rent, too. He’d informed her of that along with his plan to open a glassblowing studio next door in one professional, but very impersonal, letter.

She thought glass an odd choice for over six feet of hardened brawn standing like a statue before her in his military uniform. Atop his broad shoulders were two silver bars, and his chest was a patchwork of official-looking pins and patches.