A Soldier's Valentine Read online

  He narrowed his gaze. “Ah, yeah.”

  “I know a sign guy in town who’ll give you a good deal.”

  He laughed then. A harsh bark of a sound. “Of course you do.”

  “What?” She settled her hands on her hips. Did he think she got a kickback or something for referring business? In a small town, shop owners looked out for each other. And recommended a deal if they could.

  “Are you always this cheerfully helpful?”

  “Pretty much. Are you always this grumpy?”

  He chuckled. “Pretty much.” Then he scanned her from head to toe. “You’re taller today.”

  She lifted her foot. “It’s the heels.”

  “I noticed.” His voice lowered a smidgen, but disapproval shone from his eyes.

  What? Didn’t he like high heels? It wasn’t as if he had to wear them. And then it dawned on her that just maybe he liked them a lot, especially on her.

  Ginger checked her watch. Almost ten. She had to open. She had to get away from this new sense of awareness between them. “I better get back. Thanks for the tour.”

  Walking away, she swung back around. He’d made her forget all about the importance of the upcoming Valentine’s Day contest. No time. “After you’re settled in, we can chat more about your window display and the contest the chamber is sponsoring.”

  “Can’t wait.” His voice sounded flat.

  Ginger felt her cheeks flare yet again, right along with her ire. The man might not talk much, but he sure got his message across.

  Captain Zach did things his way.

  She backed up and nearly tripped over another box.

  Zach grabbed her arm to steady her.

  She did a little growling of her own. Ginger needed to get back to her home base before she made a bigger fool of herself. “Thanks.”

  “It’s the heels.” He gave her platforms of black suede a pointed look.

  “I found them at a thrift store,” she blurted.

  Not that it was any of his business how she spent her money, but she didn’t want her landlord to think she spent frivolously. Maybe because when she was a kid coming home with an expensive treasure she’d found for a song, she’d had to explain her actions. How many times had she played defense to her father’s offense? Her mother had finally warned her not to let Dad see them for fear of an argument.

  Ginger escaped through the glass slider, closed it behind her with a soft click and blew out her breath.

  What was the deal with Zach Zelinsky?

  He sure wasn’t a chatty guy, and that made her wonder why he’d gone into retail. And why’d he make her so nervous with his gruff ways? She wasn’t a clumsy person, but around him she couldn’t keep solid footing. The man was definitely intimidating. And Ginger did not like to be intimated.

  * * *

  That evening, Zach knocked on the sliding glass door. Ginger had kept it locked throughout the day, and he was glad since he’d been in and out all afternoon. That locked door had kept her few customers from spilling into his space. Several had peered in at him while he’d unloaded boxes, though. Passing his furnace inspections had been the last of the paperwork required before he could finally open his doors. All he needed to do was finish stocking the shelves and then start making new glass.

  She walked to the slider and unlocked her side. Opening the door, she peered up at him with those big brown eyes of hers. “Hey.”

  “Are you closed?”

  She nodded. “Yup. This time of year I’m open Tuesday through Saturday, ten to six.”

  “Good hours.” He liked having two days off in row and might as well be open the same times as her.

  “I open Mondays, too, starting in May for summer hours. But I’m always closed Sunday.”

  “Day of rest?”

  “That and church.” She smiled.

  He needed to find the right church, but he had time to figure it out. “I’ve unpacked, if you’re still interested.”

  He wasn’t being nice. He wanted to see her reaction to his glasswork. Was it good enough? She seemed to know a lot about running a gift shop and the expectations of local customers.

  “Absolutely.” Her pretty eyes gleamed. “Do you know how hard it was not to press my nose against this glass door like my customers?”

  He chuckled and stepped aside. She’d had two elderly women in her store, and they had indeed pressed their noses on the glass and watched him unpack.

  He’d utilized most of the clear shelving that came with the shop but had arranged it differently—out in the open instead of up against the walls, giving the small retail space an artsy feel like the studio where he’d apprenticed and learned the trade.

  He watched her closely as she walked around his displays, her slender fingertips gently touching glass ornaments and bowls. She was careful, but thorough. Was she putting him on, looking that interested?

  “Wow.” Ginger stopped and stared at one of his few glass sculptures. It was a twisted mass of smoky glass with a dash of red at its center that glowed from the light he’d installed underneath it. “How’d you come up with this?”

  He shrugged.

  Emotions had a way of working their way in while he shaped glass. He’d been running on empty when he’d made that particular sculpture. Frustrated and angry after a long deployment, he’d clung to a sliver of hope from a Bible scripture he’d read from the book of Jeremiah. He’d memorized verse eleven of chapter twenty-nine and had held on to its promise. He’d even chanted it when things got rough in the field.

  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

  “This is so beautiful.” She looked at him in awe. As if she couldn’t believe he’d made it.

  “Thanks.” Sometimes, he couldn’t believe it either.

  Ginger’s hair was a riot of red curls that caressed her shoulders. A live flame she was, radiating warmth. It seared like a pipe burn, this pull she had on him. Or maybe more like a backyard campfire luring him near, daring him to pull up a log and relax. But even campfires burned if a person got too close.

  She nodded toward the workshop. “When will you make new stuff?”

  “Soon.”

  “Well, that’s real specific.” Even her sarcasm came across sweet.

  “How ’bout I let you know.”

  Her eyes widened with surprise at the sharpness of his retort. He hadn’t meant to sound so surly.

  She didn’t miss a beat, though, and didn’t back down. “Yeah, you do that because I’d love to see how it’s done.”

  Great.

  But then, what did he expect? Blowing glass was a cool process. So why did the idea of Ginger watching him work make his skin itch?

  She looked at him, curious. “How long have you been doing this?”

  Zach scratched his temple. “Maybe ten years?”

  “All while in the army?”

  “Yeah.”

  What started as an art class became a hobby, a creative release and then a place to forget. He’d had his studio plans drawn up well before he’d moved back home. Before he’d even found a building. Before he’d been RIFed. He’d always known how he wanted his shop laid out with an open space so his workshop was in full view of the buying public. He wanted to keep an eye on his store while working. Still, he hadn’t expected to become a shop owner this soon in life.

  “But how? I mean when did you find the time?”

  “I learned during downtime, when I was off duty.”

  “Oh.” She didn’t look satisfied. She looked ready to ask more questions.

  Zach didn’t want to answer questions. “I’ve got to cut this short.”

  He’d promised his mom he’d make it for dinner. A
nd he needed to move the last of his things into the apartment above.

  “Oh. Sorry. Thanks for showing me around.” She smiled, hesitated to leave. “I still have to fill you in on the window display contest.”

  “Sure. No problem. Another time?”

  She nodded. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  “Okay. See ya later.” He was halfway tempted to invite her along so she could tell him on the way, but that might send the wrong message. He watched her click her way across the wood floor and slip back through the slider into her tea shop. Ginger Carleton was pretty. A pretty, church-going woman.

  But too young. Too young for him.

  * * *

  A few days later, Ginger peered into Zach’s studio. He’d been open less than a week, but shoppers swarmed. Curiosity drove a lot of traffic, but folks purchased product, too, and Zach had made sales. A lot of sales.

  She spotted him surrounded by three women, and Captain Zach looked like a trapped wolf ready to snap or chew off his own paw any second now to escape.

  He glanced her way and waved her in. Not a welcoming I’ve-got-something-to-show-you wave, more like a get-over-here-now-I-need-you sort of wave.

  Ginger clenched her jaw. She shouldn’t covet his customers, but she did. Some had wandered into her shop, but most didn’t. No matter how frustrating it was watching shoppers snub their noses at her tea, it wasn’t Zach’s fault. And ignoring his plea for help might not bode well for renewing her lease come the end of the year.

  At this point in her shop-owning career, she shouldn’t need an indefinite rental agreement, but that’s what she’d had with Sally. Ginger felt sold out right along with the building.

  But it was Sally’s building to sell, and the woman was well past retirement age. Ginger should be standing on her own two feet by now, not relying on her mentor’s charity. Not filled with envy because Zach’s studio had been hopping while hers barely took a few steps. And even fewer sales.

  Reality had a way of taking a sharp bite out of her plans when she least expected it. Taking a deep breath, she rallied her sweetest smile and headed his way. “Can I help?”

  A look of genuine relief washed over his face. “Gift wrap?”

  “I’ve got some.” She ducked back into her shop and returned with a pile of floral tissue paper and ribbon. More shoppers accosted Zach, so she went a step further. “I can help you at the counter, ladies.”

  Zach gave her a grateful half smile.

  And Ginger’s heart did a little flip right along with her belly.

  Uh-oh.

  She swallowed the bitter pill of unwanted attraction and scolded herself besides. Really? Ginger herded the heavily perfumed women with glass ornaments in hand to Zach’s small counter. Underneath were boxes and rolls of Bubble Wrap. She worked quickly, boxing up the glass treasures. It was easy to swirl tissue paper around the box and secure it with ribbon and a pouf of tissue on top. Nice.

  Hunting under the counter once more, Ginger found plain paper bags and Zach’s cash box. Inside the locked box with the key still hanging in the lock, she found a phone with an adapter to slide credit cards for payment.

  While she checked out the women’s purchases, Zach discussed a custom order with two other women. She overheard parts of the conversation and surmised that they wanted a larger version of his lit smoky glass sculpture. They wanted a unique chandelier in their waiting room.

  From the chamber office, Ginger knew all about the medical office geared specifically for women that would open sometime in the summer. Obviously, the doctors wanted softer lighting than fluorescent overheads for their clients.

  Ginger peeked at Zach. He stood tall and handsome in jeans and a loose cotton sweater. Even in plain clothes, he had that stiff military bearing. A figure of austere authority.

  The women offered Zach a business card and a check as down payment on a piece they didn’t care how long it took to finish. After they’d left he turned toward her. “Thank you.”

  Ginger waved off his gratitude. “Custom order?”

  “A big one.” He looked grim.

  “That’s good news, right?”

  “Not if I don’t have time or the help to make it. I’ve never made anything that big.”

  Was she supposed to feel sorry for him? So far, his opening week was proving to be a success. “You’re going to have to get some gift wrap. Especially with Valentine’s Day coming up.”

  “Why’s that?”

  Ginger rolled her eyes. Did she have to spell it out? “Haven’t you ever bought a girl flowers or chocolates for Valentine’s Day?”

  He shrugged. “No. Not much of a Valentine’s Day guy.”

  No surprise there. “Well, other people do, right along with specialty gifts like yours and mine. You’ll need to be ready because we’ve got a lot planned.”

  “We?”

  She took a deep breath. Finally, she’d roll out the details of the window display contest. She’d helped him out so he sort of owed her. “The chamber of commerce. I’m their liaison with the merchants.” Ginger stood a little straighter. “Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, we’re hyping it up big-time. We want to catch the bureau of tourism’s attention. Maple Springs might even be highlighted in the state of Michigan ad campaign if we can get everyone on board. Part of that is running a window display contest among the downtown merchants and businesses. The winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day.”

  One eyebrow rose. “Right, the contest. What’s the prize?”

  Ginger narrowed her gaze. She’d been trying to catch him for days to spell it all out. But he’d been busy. Maybe that lag time had finally sparked his interest. “A year’s worth of statewide advertising already paid for by the chamber, as long as the chamber is listed, too.”

  He harrumphed. “Not interested.”

  And maybe not. Clearly, he didn’t get it. “Well, I want to win. And to do that, I’m going to need your help.”

  His expression looked sharp enough to slice her in two. “How?”

  She pointed toward their storefront. “We have identical windows. I think one of us would have a better chance of winning if they’re tied together somehow. But it has to support the contest theme.”

  “Theme?” He looked amused now.

  Ginger felt her face heat. “Maple Springs Is for Lovers.”

  Zach laughed.

  And Ginger experienced a strong urge to belt him. “Why’s that so funny?”

  “That’s hokey.”

  “It is not!” Ginger placed her hands on her hips. “The downtown restaurants will offer romantic dinner specials and the chamber is sponsoring horse-drawn carriage rides. All the merchants, if they’re smart, will take advantage of the holiday, as well.”

  He snorted. “Valentine’s Day was made up by the greeting card companies. It’s no holiday.”

  “It’s good business.” She wasn’t particularly fond of the day either, having been stuck at home more times than not, but it made for sales opportunities. “I make up gift baskets with romantic teas and aromatic spices.”

  Zach looked as if it was all a game.

  Maybe it seemed silly to him. He’d seen combat, probably had made life-and-death decisions, but this contest—and the advertising campaign win—might mean the life or death of her shop!

  She crooked her finger at him. “Come with me.”

  He gave her a curious look but did as she asked. He followed her through the slider into her store. She slipped behind her counter, where her laptop lay opened, and refreshed her page. He leaned over the counter to see her screen as she clicked around. That wasn’t going to work.

  “Come around so I can show you what I’m talking about.” Ginger quickly went through the state of Michigan’s seasonal tourism ads. “See all these l
ittle towns? They’re real and I want Maple Springs to be one of them. This year, we have a chance, if I can get everyone on board with the contest.”

  He peered over her shoulder as she played several commercials. She felt the warmth of him standing behind her, and every cell in her body seemed to stand at attention and take notice. She’d been on her own for so long, struggling to make something of herself with only Sally’s support. But Sally had not only retired, she moved away to be near her son and grandkids.

  What would it feel like to have someone else looking out for her? Helping her succeed instead of laughing at her efforts.

  “So, that’s the real prize—statewide recognition?”

  “Yeah.” She turned and bumped into his arm.

  He quickly stepped back, out of her way.

  She looked up at him. “Are you in?”

  “In?”

  Ginger let out a huff of frustration. “The window contest.”

  He sighed. “I don’t know. When does it have to be up?”

  “The week before Valentine’s Day.”

  He looked really grim then. “That’s right around the corner.”

  She clenched her fists. “We’ve got a little over three weeks. Plenty of time.”

  He rubbed his chin. “We’ll see.”

  Before Ginger could press harder, the door to his shop opened with the ring of the bells he’d installed. From her counter, she had an open view of his retail space, but most of his workshop area was out of sight. Two customers made their way into his studio and looked around.

  “Gotta go.” Zach headed for his side and slipped through the slider.

  Ginger easily overheard their oohs and ahhs, but once the two young women saw the man responsible for making the glass items, their eyes grew round with interest. Feminine giggles and titters grew louder as they grilled Zach with questions and pretty much fawned all over him.

  Ginger shook her head at his one-word answers. The man practically spoke in grunts and growls.

  Really, he needed to improve his store-side demeanor lest he get an unwelcoming reputation. Not a good thing for a shop owner dependent on the public’s buying habits. People in Maple Springs talked, and talk spread fast. She should warn Zach about that. But then, he’d grown up here. He should know.