A Soldier's Valentine Read online

  She laughed out loud.

  The carriage came to a stop in front of her, and the horse jerked his head, nodding once, twice, three times. Yes, this was real. Zach was real and she knew that he cared. A lot.

  He left the bundles on the seat and climbed out. Walking toward her, he held out his hand. “Ride with me.”

  She took his hand, smiling over the tears streaming down her cheeks.

  Zach pulled her close. “Why are you crying?”

  “Because I’m wrong and so happy to be wrong. I’m so sorry, Zach. I’m an idiot, will you forgive me?”

  He wiped away a tear with his thumb. “If you’ll forgive me for not telling you sooner that I love you. That’s why I want us to work together. We can build something good, you and I.”

  “I know.” She didn’t think he was talking only about the glass studio and stepped out in faith and bared her heart. “I love you, too.”

  He kissed her quick and grabbed her hands. “Come on, we’ve only got this carriage for half an hour.”

  He helped her climb up into the seat and tucked the red plaid wool blanket around them both. Then he nodded to the driver. “We’re good.”

  Tommy something-or-other, the treasurer’s brother, tipped his tall black hat and clicked the reins, but he smiled, too.

  Clop, clop, clop. They were moving.

  Forward.

  And Ginger wasn’t ever looking back again. She reached for the gold box. “What’s this?”

  “Chocolates.” He nuzzled her ear.

  Ginger giggled and caressed the floral bag. “And this?”

  “Red roses. What else?”

  It must have cost him a fortune. “Zach—”

  He shushed her. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Ginger.”

  “My best one ever,” she whispered.

  “And it’s only just beginning.”

  Then Zach kissed her.

  And she kissed him back without any fear of the future. In fact, she could hardly wait to see what tomorrow might bring.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The next morning, Zach held out his hand to Ginger. She wore those impractical high-heeled boots again, and he shook his head. “Ready?”

  She took it and grinned. “I am.”

  “We might not win, you know.”

  “We will.” Her confidence was catching.

  He pulled her close and kissed her quick then looped her arm through his. They had a two-block walk to the Maple Springs Inn and it was snowing enough to make the sidewalks sloppy. With Ginger in those heels, they wouldn’t win any races.

  “I can drive,” he offered.

  “By the time you find a place to park, we could be inside and seated.”

  She was probably right. This was a big deal with a big turnout by the sounds of it. “All right, let’s go.”

  As they ambled along Main Street, traffic was busy, and the small lot at the inn was indeed packed full when they walked past. They entered the restaurant portion of the inn and Brady headed straight for them.

  “They’re here.” The chamber president beamed.

  “Who’s here?” Zach asked.

  “Reps from the department of tourism,” Ginger clarified. Her eyes sparkled, too. This is what she’d been hoping for from the beginning.

  “And they brought the big cameras, Ginger. I think we’re in. Finally in.” Brady rubbed his hands together. “It’s finally coming together.”

  Ginger looked at Zach and smiled. “It sure is.”

  Zach smiled back. She’d have her shot at advertising her tea shop if that’s what she wanted. He hoped she’d dump The Spice of Life altogether, but they hadn’t ironed that out yet.

  They hung up their coats and then hit the buffet table for Danish, fruit and various muffins. Zach followed Ginger through the maze of tables covered with crisp white cotton. He spotted Monica and she patted two open seats at her table.

  “Follow me.” Zach cut to the left.

  Ginger met him around the other side of several tables.

  “Morning.” Monica gawked when he pulled out a chair for Ginger. “Wow, Zach, look at you.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” His sister grinned when Ginger scooted her chair closer to his.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day.” He gave his sister a cheeky grin in return.

  Monica sputtered and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.”

  He grabbed the vase from the middle of the table and sniffed the single red rose it held, but there was no scent. Not like the heady fragrance of the bouquet he’d given Ginger. She’d buried her nose in those blooms and told him that they were the first roses she’d ever been given. They wouldn’t be the last.

  He passed the vase to his sister.

  “Who are you?” Monica teased.

  Zach only draped his arm around the back of Ginger’s chair. What could he say? He was a man in love. And he’d figure out a way to prove it. Soon.

  “It’s starting.” Ginger sat up straighter.

  Zach downed his coffee while Brady thanked everyone for coming. He launched right into a speech about the importance of the business community coming together on a common goal. The window display contest.

  Zach glanced at his sister, who scowled as she stared at the chamber president. Something was definitely wrong there. “What’s with you?”

  “I’m not a morning person.” She folded her arms and sunk lower in her chair.

  He chuckled as his sister sulked. He sensed there might be more than that going on and was about to ask, when he felt Ginger’s hand grip his knee.

  The room had quieted, too.

  Brady stood behind the podium ready to announce the winner. He took his time pulling an official-looking envelope out of his pocket. He put on a pair of reading glasses and cleared his throat. “An outstanding job on the windows folks, but one display received a landslide of votes.”

  And Brady paused again. For effect.

  Zach nearly laughed. This guy was really hamming it up. But one look at the anticipation on Ginger’s face and he covered her hand with his own. They had this.

  Surely, they had this.

  “And the window display winner is...The Spice of Life! Ginger Carleton, come on up and say a few words about how you put that window together.”

  Applause rang across the room.

  Ginger gave him a look of pure joy.

  He gave her hand a quick squeeze before letting go and then watched her make her way to the front.

  “You two are sickening,” Monica whispered.

  Zach chuckled. “Thanks.”

  Ginger took the microphone and smiled. She looked beautiful with her hair a mass of red curls. She wore a fuzzy red sweater over tan corduroys, making her look like a Valentine. His Valentine.

  “Thank you, Brady, and thank you to everyone who cast a vote. I really appreciate this, but I can’t take credit for the window. And I can’t take the prize.”

  Zach shook his head. What was she doing?

  Ginger paused and looked at him, still smiling. “Not when it belongs to the artist who not only created the display, but won my heart in the process. Zach, this is yours. It’s all yours.”

  He heard sighs run rampant around the room before it erupted again into applause.

  He stared at Ginger. She offered more than a year’s worth of statewide advertising. She’d given him her shop, her future and, more important, her trust in that one statement.

  Monica pushed at his shoulder. “Go up there, you dolt.”

  He glared at his sister, but then the crowd chanted his name. They wanted him up there, too.

  And Ginger waited for him, the minx.

  He made his way to the podium, not once
taking his eyes off hers. Although he didn’t question Ginger’s sincerity, he suspected her public display of affection was all about business. Their business. And he’d do what he could to help the cause.

  Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her trim waist and pulled her close. Looking deep into her wide eyes, he kissed her. Hard.

  Hoots and whistles rang out from the audience behind them. Camera lights flashed and still, he kissed Ginger. He felt her attempts to push him away slacken and then her hands crept up to hook around his neck. And she kissed him right back.

  He finally broke away before things got out of hand.

  Ginger swayed a little, bringing the crowd to laughter.

  And Zach grinned, too, as Ginger’s face blazed.

  He took the mic from her fingers before she dropped it and addressed the crowd. “Thank you for the warm welcome back home.” He raised the envelope. “This will come in handy for the studio as I anticipate a merger very soon.” Then he looked at Ginger. “If she agrees.”

  The applause rose to a deafening volume.

  And Ginger’s mouth dropped open.

  He was tempted to kiss her again, but gently tugged on her hand instead, guiding the way back to their seats. They were interrupted with congratulatory handshakes and pats on the back as they wove through the crowded tables.

  He realized this was what he’d been longing for. Zach had not only come home, he’d finally found peace. And love.

  * * *

  “Why did you do that?” Ginger whispered close to Zach’s ear when they finally sat back down.

  He gave her that half smile of his. “Good for business.”

  The room had quieted while Brady talked about the importance of the contest and what made Maple Springs the perfect romantic getaway. But Ginger barely listened. She could hardly sit still, either. She wanted to know if Zach was serious.

  What exactly did he mean by merger? “Zach—”

  “I meant what I said.”

  Her heart rate picked up speed. “Yeah?”

  He took her hand and leaned close, keeping his voice low. “Be my partner, Ginger. At the studio and in my life. Be mine. Forever.”

  She blinked rapidly, fighting the tears that welled in her eyes. Love was worth the risk. They both had baggage, but together they’d work toward emptying those bags. Together they’d work to build something good.

  With glass and in life.

  Looking into Zach’s warm blue eyes, Ginger had no doubts, nor fear. This wasn’t quitting, this was one big, fat promotion. “Yes.”

  He brought the back of her hand to his lips for a swift kiss.

  And then she gave him a wicked grin. “But I want it in writing.”

  He leaned close. “It’s called a marriage certificate, sweetheart.”

  Ginger tipped her head and smiled. “Then I look forward to receiving that very soon.”

  He laughed.

  The meeting ended and people swarmed their table. The state tourism folks wanted an interview, and Ginger overheard Monica on her phone.

  “Mom, Zach just made a very public proposal...”

  Ginger looked at Zach with pride. This man who’d grumbled over a hometown parade had just created a statewide buzz. It’d be good for business, sure, but watching Zach field questions with relaxed charm, she realized her future was in very capable hands.

  Epilogue

  “Zach, we made the spring issue!” Ginger charged through the back entrance, into the studio. She was back from a morning chamber of commerce meeting, where Brady had been proud to present her with a couple of copies of the state’s tourism guide before he displayed them.

  “Yeah?” He emptied the annealing oven of the glass flowers made the night before, along with globes and small birds made by Zach, Rob and another guy during class.

  She didn’t attend those workshops, but the flowers had been her idea. Zach liked a lot of her ideas, including a fall wedding so they could easily close up shop and run away for a two-week honeymoon.

  She laid the magazine on the metal worktable and opened it to their article complete with pictures. There were shots of their windows along with that kiss at the podium. They’d been given the mock-up proofs ahead of time, but the real thing was even better.

  As she smoothed the pages, her ruby engagement ring surrounded by smaller diamonds sparkled in the overhead light, and she sighed. “I love this ring.”

  Zach gave her a quick kiss. “Brady must be happy that Maple Springs made the cut.”

  “Ecstatic. Thanks to you.”

  “Us,” he corrected.

  “I like us.” Ginger snuggled against him.

  She meant it. They’d been busy remaking their two shops into one. She still sold loose tea leaves but only a few varieties for her repeat customers and Annie. She kept her big glass jars behind the newly updated counter and gift wrapping station.

  That counter had a clear view into her old space that she and Zach had filled with new glass items they’d made together. All the profits from those things made by Zach’s class went to a local fund for returning war vets.

  Zach had even renamed the studio to reflect their business partnership. Z&G Glassworks had been etched into the center of both windows, and Ginger had to admit it looked classier than a sign. Especially with the way Zach had designed the Z and G to look like two hearts twisted together. Blended into one.

  Ginger no longer counted success in terms of what she accomplished alone. She had love and acceptance, and that made every hour of her day worth more than gold.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE HERO’S SWEETHEART by Cheryl Wyatt.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for picking up a copy of A Soldier’s Valentine. I hope you enjoyed Zach and Ginger’s story, the second book in my new Maple Springs series.

  When first introduced in Falling for the Mom-to-Be, I knew Ginger would be the heroine of the next book. I loved her upbeat, tell-it-like-it-is personality and her thing with high heels! I can’t wear anything higher than an inch, but I admire women who can.

  Getting to know Ginger, I discovered that she struggled with her self-worth. Would she ever be good enough? I think we women battle many false images and beliefs about ourselves. And Ginger said something key—our minds can be a battlefield. Don’t let the enemy advance. Instead, let’s take back that ground by strapping on the Armor of God. Only through Him and His word can we see ourselves as we really are. Unique and precious in His sight.

  I love to hear from readers. Please visit my website and drop me a note at www.jennamindel.com.

  Many blessings to you,

  Jenna Mindel

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

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  The Hero’s Sweetheart

  by Cheryl Wyatt

  Chapter One

  Please don’t let this be what I think it is...

  “Sully, can you speak?” Even as Olivia Abbott asked her boss the question, his drooping mouth confirmed what her gut already knew. Thankfully she’d learned stroke symptoms this week in EMT class.

  “Call 9-1-1!” she directed Patrice, her roommate and a fellow server at Sully’s Diner.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Sully’s ass
istant cook, Darin, carefully helped Olivia lower Sully to the floor beside the food prep counter.

  Naem, pulling double duty as server and dishwasher since Perry hadn’t shown for his shift again, skidded around the corner. Naem, normally a perpetual grinner, gasped when he saw Sully on the floor. Due to the diner’s open floor plan, customers began to notice the activity in the kitchen.

  “I think he’s having a stroke,” Olivia whispered low enough that Sully couldn’t hear.

  Darin leaped up and, upon entering the adjacent seating area, yelled for help clearing space. After calling 9-1-1 Patrice calmed customers, many of whom jumped in to help Darin move tables and chairs for the first responders. Sizzling sounded as Naem scraped burning food off hot grills.

  Please help the ambulance hurry, Olivia prayed as Sully’s breathing grew more labored. An EMT student working her way through school by waitressing at the Eagle Point eatery part-time, she suddenly realized that knowing too much automatically gave fear an advantage over her faith.

  Sully had an epic reputation for being grumpy but he was the only decent father figure she’d had in her life. He couldn’t die on her. Just couldn’t.

  “Help will be here soon, Sully. I promise.”

  With his head in her lap, Olivia could see frustration and confusion on his face, and white whiskers he’d missed while shaving. He was meticulous about employees’ hair being groomed—he’d obviously not been feeling well this morning. Come to think of it, he’d looked pale and fatigued at the employee Valentine’s Day party this past weekend. He’d probably been too stubborn to say something.

  Sirens whined in the distance, coming closer. Olivia murmured soothing words to Sully. She was thankful that he’d finally given in to her pestering about having a relationship with God. He had not only started attending her church two months ago, but he’d given his life to the Lord. She hoped he wouldn’t need that Heavenly ticket yet.

  Patrice, teary-eyed, her lips trembling, knelt next to Olivia and rested her hands over Sully’s and Olivia’s. “We need to notify his son, Jack. The contact information is probably in Sully’s cell phone. I’ll take care of calling if you want.”