A Soldier's Valentine
The Captain’s HomecomingRetired 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.
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The Captainâs 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 tenantâa too-pretty tea shop owner who doesnât give him a momentâs rest. Ginger Carleton is rallying the merchants of Maple Springs, Michigan, for a Valentineâs Day window-decorating contest. And sheâs 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 heâs been missing: love.
Ginger was too fresh-faced and innocent, Zach thought.
Yet she hadnât 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. âIâm surprised you donât have a family of your own.â
An interesting way of asking why he wasnât married. âNever got around to it, I guess.â
âHow come?â
He gave her the truth. âI saw too many guys torn up over leaving their wives and kids. Having to shut down to do the job. I didnât want that. What about you? No boyfriends?â
She looked away. âAh, no.â
âHow come?â He repeated her words.
She shrugged. âTheyâre a hassle.â
Her fingers brushed his bare skin near the scar and she froze. âWhen did you get this?â
That raw whisper made him look into her wide brown eyes. âThree years ago.â
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 heartâs call to write inspirational romances set near the Great Lakes.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableâif anything is excellent or praiseworthyâthink about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in meâput it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
âPhilippians 4:8â9
To those who serve.
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
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 Zelinskyâs return made for the perfect opportunity. One she wasnât about to let go.
There he was!
Gingerâs heart beat a little faster. Captain Zach was her new landlord, and he walked toward her with purpose. They hadnât 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 heâd raised her rent, too. Heâd 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.
Captain Zachary Zelinsky made for an impressive sight.
And scary.
Surely, heâd intimated an enemy or two with that deep scowl. A look that might make a lesser man run, but Ginger dug in her heels and held her position. Heâd searched her out and she wasnât going anywhere. She might even tell him what she thought of his letter.
She heard the snaps of American flags that had been posted along Main Street as they whipped in the bitter wind. No snow fell today in northern Michigan. No sunshine, either. Gray clouds rippled in a gray sky above. The Maple Springs high school band had long since stopped playing patriotic marches, and her surroundings faded into the expanse of dark winter coats dotted by colorful hats and scarves and kids.
She focused on the army captain in front of her. Not hard to do. Zach Zelinsky loomed larger than life.
