A Soldier's Valentine

by Jenna Mindel

  Ginger stared at the small OPEN sign he’d hung up the day after their fight. With a marker, he’d written on the back of it that he’d return. Simple as that. He didn’t need her to watch over his store. He didn’t need her at all.

  She hated that sign.

  She also hated that her display had been stupid and silly. A colossal waste of time and money. Zach’s money maybe, but her time. She should have pushed harder for ideas. Good ones were right here, under her nose.

  How much is your time worth?

  Based on last year’s net income figures, her time wasn’t worth very much. Not much at all.

  Ginger hung her head in her hands.

  “Hey. You okay?”

  Ginger popped up at the sound of Annie’s concerned voice. She hadn’t heard her friend slip inside. “I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look fine. What’s wrong?”

  Ginger swallowed around the lump of emotion clogging up her throat. She did not want to cry. She didn’t want Zach to see how much he’d hurt her. She didn’t want to give him that kind of power, but then Annie touched her hand and Ginger fell apart.

  Sniveling, she blurted out, “Everything!”

  “Oh?” Annie’s eyes widened. “Come on in the back and I’ll make tea.”

  “But the shop.” Ginger sniffed as tears fell and her nose ran like a faucet. She searched for a tissue.

  Annie handed her a travel pack from her dance pants pockets. “No one’s in here and I’ll cover if someone does come in.”

  “But your class.” Ginger blew her nose.

  Annie waved it away and ushered her toward a chair in back. “Matthew’s with John so I left early for my Friday class. I have time. Now sit, and tell me what this is all about.”

  Ginger’s eyes welled anew and that stupid lump of heartbreak threatened to cut off her air along with her words. She dissolved into a pitiful fit of sobbing.

  “Hello?” a masculine voice called.

  Ginger made a move, but Annie pushed her back down in the seat while the single-serving machine chugged out a cup of hot tea. “Sit tight.”

  Ginger rested her head on her folded arms and listened. Annie informed the man that Zach had stepped out but should be back within the hour. Then she heard Annie close the slider door with a whoosh and thud. Smart move.

  “Here, drink this.” Annie rubbed her back as if she were a small child.

  Ginger rallied to take a sip. She laid her head back on her arms and closed her eyes as the hot chamomile tea took hold and calmed.

  Annie went about making another cup. “This has to do with Zach, huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What happened?”

  Ginger’s anger burned all over again. She gestured toward the shop. “That happened. Did you see the windows?”

  Annie nodded. “Yeah, they’re gorgeous.”

  “Hmmph.”

  “I take it you’re not happy with them.”

  Ginger wiped her eyes with a clean tissue. “He did that behind my back. Not once did he give me any ideas. No, he said to dig deeper and then bam, he changes my window display right before the voting opens and it’s too late to change it all back.”

  “Why would you want to?”

  Ginger glared at her friend. “Because he’s trying to take over my store. He wants my space.”

  Annie chuckled.

  “Why are you laughing?” Ginger’s voice sounded shrill, but really, didn’t Annie see the betrayal here?

  “That’s not all he wants. Have you looked at those windows, Gin? I mean, really looked.”

  “I try not to.” She slumped and sipped more tea.

  She’d avoided a full outside view from the front. Even jogging she’d taken different routes so she wouldn’t have to spy the full spread in all its glory. Staring at what she could see from inside was bad enough.

  Those two windows were a sore reminder of how she’d failed. When a couple of teenagers had stopped and ogled the display in her window, she knew it’d be better for business if she left it alone. And she’d been right, only most of the new customers coming in were looking for glass. Not spices or tea.

  And that really rubbed salt in her wound.

  “There’s a definite message there.”

  Ginger rolled her eyes.

  “He’s a guy, and they don’t always do things the way we expect, but they mean well. Give him a chance.”

  “I expect honesty,” Ginger grumbled.

  “How did he lie to you?” Annie’s expression looked doubtful.

  She shrugged. “He could have told me his plans. Instead, I overheard it from his sisters in the bathroom.”

  “His sisters?”

  “Monica was talking to Cat or Erin, I’m not sure which, the night of your wedding. Evidently, Zach told her that he wanted to expand into my shop if he could convince me to give it up.”

  “But you have a signed lease for a year. You told me so. He couldn’t legally take over your store until that ended.”

  Unless she gave it up early, because she thought he cared. Because he’d swept her off her feet while dancing outside in February.

  Ginger grabbed her hair and twisted it into a tight bun behind her head. “I know.”

  “So, what’s really bothering you?”

  Hearing Annie’s calm logic made Ginger realize how petty she sounded. She shrugged. “I’m scared.”

  Annie patted her hand. “I know, but sometimes you have to take a risk and see where it goes. No risk, no gain.”

  “Or loss.” Bottom line, Ginger wasn’t ready to trust Zach with her future. But was clinging to a failing business any better? The Spice of Life was all hers, but it was draining her dry. Financially and creatively.

  Annie’s eyes grew serious. “Love is worth that risk, Ginger. Even when there’s a loss.”

  Her eyes burned. “You’re going to make me cry all over again.”

  Annie’s eyes filled, too, and her voice was soft but steady. “Zach’s a good man. Go outside and see the message he’s trying to tell you.”

  Ginger nodded.

  “I’ve got to run. Call me if you need me, okay?”

  Again, she nodded, because Ginger couldn’t really speak. She gave her friend a fierce hug and whispered a ragged, “Thank you.”

  “You’re my best bud.” Annie squeezed back. “And you did the same for me.”

  Ginger waved as Annie left. Then she grabbed her mug of tea and returned to her spot behind the counter and her laptop. She needed to figure out her next move. Maybe she could learn to drive a truck like her dad. That crazy notion appealed now more than ever. No matter how much sense Annie made, Ginger wanted to run. Run away.

  But not outside for a look at the window display.

  She’d been afraid to really look at Zach’s handiwork, because it would require a response. She’d have to make a decision about trust. Ginger had given her heart to a man with the power to shatter it like dropped glass.

  And he might do that. Eventually.

  Or maybe not. She’d never know if she didn’t reach out and try.

  I’ve got your back.

  He’d said it. And Zach didn’t blow smoke. He didn’t say things he didn’t mean. He was trained to look out for his own. It was no wonder that he had nightmares, when he felt as if he’d failed his men. He’d never put her in harm’s way to serve himself. She should know that. But could she step out in faith and believe he had her best interests at heart with this one?

  * * *

  After eating lunch at a very packed Bernelli’s across the street, Zach returned. He flipped the OPEN sign back around and glanced at Ginger’s side. The slider door was closed. That sent a pretty clear message.

  One he was sick t
o death of.

  He strode toward that glass divider ready to rattle the thing off its hinges if needed. But one touch of the handle and the door gave way. She hadn’t locked it.

  Ginger looked up and her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy. “Oh, you’re back.”

  “I’m back.” Zach stepped into her shop. He’d given her space the past couple of days, hoping she’d come to him. But knowing that she’d been crying was the last straw. “We need to talk.”

  Her eyes grew wide and watery, but she lifted her chin. “So, talk.”

  He wasn’t good with words, but she’d forced him to use them. “I’m sorry you had to hear about my plans for this place from someone other than me.”

  Ginger’s eyes dimmed and she shrugged.

  He spread his arms wide. “I did those windows for you and you hate them. I don’t know what you want from me.”

  Bells jingled from behind them, so Zach turned.

  Three women entered his studio with intent purpose. They didn’t wander. Instead they headed straight for his counter. Now wasn’t the time for talking with Ginger.

  Clenching his jaw, he followed after them. “Anything I can help you with?”

  “Do you have what’s in your window for sale?” one woman asked.

  “I’d like those flames.” Another pointed toward Ginger’s window.

  “I have baskets over here.” Zach directed them to each item and glanced again at Ginger, but she’d slipped away. Maybe she’d stepped into her back room for a moment.

  And maybe he’d gone about this the wrong way. Maybe he needed to tell her straight up how he felt. If she didn’t feel the same, at least she’d know that his motives weren’t slimy as she’d accused. Maybe Ginger needed him to open up and share his feelings.

  And maybe, Zach needed that, too. Sharing hopes and fears smacked too much of showing weakness, and Zach didn’t like to feel weak. But Ginger had brought him to his knees. Playing this game of who’d flinch first was no way to fight.

  It was time for someone to surrender.

  The bells over his door rang again as more tourists and shoppers piled into his studio. A couple of women wandered into Ginger’s tea shop. She was back behind her counter, looking more composed.

  “Oh, you’re not the same store,” one woman said.

  “No.” Ginger looked straight at him as she answered.

  He stared back.

  But she looked away.

  “I need a gift for my mother,” another woman said.

  “Does she like tea?” Ginger’s voice sounded flat. A far cry from her usual upbeat energy.

  He hated that she’d cried over what had happened between them. Hated that they’d wasted days angry at each other. Tonight, that ended. He’d do whatever it took to hammer it out. To win her back.

  He scanned his small retail space that was filling up fast with more customers. Skiers and sled-heads had poured into Maple Springs for Valentine’s Day coupled with Presidents’ Day on Monday.

  He’d never made a fuss about Valentine’s Day before, but then there’d never been a reason to. Tonight there was, and Zach wasn’t about to waste his opportunity.

  He spotted Rob dressed in jeans and a plain down jacket as the guy limped forward. No one would take him for the average tourist. “Hey.”

  “Thought I’d come down and check the place out.” Rob nodded. “Nice.”

  Zach extended his hand. “I know. So have you thought about it?”

  Rob returned the handshake. “A glassblowing class for veterans might be cool.”

  Zach laughed. “It’s hot work that will make you sweat. A good place to get lost for a while, too. Come on, I’ll show you around.”

  “What about your customers?”

  Zach scanned the store, excited that Rob had not only come to check out the store, but might take him up on his offer of a class. “They’re fine. They can wait.”

  They’d been in Afghanistan at the same time, and Rob was having issues adjusting to civilian life. Zach explained the process of working with glass and then leaned against the metal worktable. “I’m thinking Tuesday evenings for a couple hours or so. Does that work for you?”

  Rob nodded, looking both relieved and interested. “It does, yeah. Tuesday night.”

  “Say seven.” Zach nodded.

  “I’ll be here.”

  “Good.”

  There were more veterans in the area, but Rob was a start. Only God knew where it all might go from here, but Zach was committed to doing something, and willing to find out the rest as he went.

  While a couple of shoppers lingered, Zach walked Rob to the door. Maybe his work with glass shouldn’t be about forgetting as much as remembering. His men deserved to be remembered well. Zach needed to honor them instead of trying to shut it all out.

  Just as he was done shutting Ginger out.

  He checked his watch. Almost five. Plenty of time to shower and shave.

  When his last shopper walked out, Zach locked his front door, took down the OPEN sign and closed up early. He glanced at Ginger, but she was busy talking with Brady, the chamber president. No doubt about the festivities scheduled for the following morning to reveal the window display winner.

  Zach knew what he had to do, and his heart raced. Way different from the rush before a mission, but equally nerve-rattling. It was go time.

  * * *

  Ginger closed up shop and her spirits had never been lower. Zach was gone. Without a word, she’d heard him go out the back door a while ago. She couldn’t say that she blamed him. He’d wanted to talk, and instead of honey, she’d served up a strong serving of vinegar. Her sharp tongue had gotten her nowhere yet again.

  Switching off the lights, she glanced at her tea and spice store illuminated by the spotlights that Zach had installed. The ruby-red hearts in her window glowed. They complemented her café table set with the red earthenware cups and red blended-heart teapot. Zach hadn’t messed with any of that.

  Love is worth the risk, even when there’s a loss.

  Losing her business was nothing compared with losing a loved one. Annie had lost her husband and survived. She’d even found new love with Matthew. Ginger remembered that Annie had been scared, too, but in the end it hadn’t stopped her and love had prevailed.

  What stopped Ginger? Like it or not, Ginger had fallen for Zach. Taking a risk meant stepping out in faith and trusting him with not only her livelihood, but her heart. Why was that so hard to do?

  Ginger ran up the stairs to her apartment and bundled into a warm jacket. Slipping her phone into the pocket, she made her way outside. The snow had stopped falling and people walked the streets murmuring softly or laughing outright in the glow from the overhead streetlights.

  Looking toward the north end of Main, she saw that soft lights shone from Valentine’s Day–decorated windows. Reds and pinks and even silver were common colors used right along with tiny white lights. Maple Springs looked perfect. Inviting and romantic.

  Keeping her sight focused toward the snow-dusted giant pine tree in Center Park, Ginger took a deep breath and crossed the street. Heart pounding, she whispered a prayer for courage, turned around and looked for whatever message might be in Zach’s window display.

  “Oh.” Her breath caught.

  Both windows popped like nothing else in town. If they didn’t win, there was something seriously wrong because the display was indeed gorgeous. No wonder people had flooded inside to check out Zach’s studio. The man was a genius. The spotlights he’d installed made the glass glow from within, full of life and feeling. And his passion.

  She focused her gaze on Zach’s window first. Intent on reading it like a sentence, she started at the far left side where he’d hung twisted blue glass hearts mixed with icicles. But as she followed the
display toward her own window, those hearts grew more rounded and took on a pinkish hue. The icicles seemingly melted as well until they morphed into what looked like flames that began at her shop window.

  Zach’s heart had not only melted, it was on fire.

  For her.

  Her eyes watered and her stomach flipped, making her head feel light and woozy. But she kept reading the window message. Hers echoed Zach’s with twisted pink glass hearts that blossomed into fuller hot fuchsia hearts and then finally those plump ruby-red ones that she loved.

  Her tears spilled over when she finally spotted the sculpture. She’d never have seen it from inside because her café table had been in the way. At the lower right corner of her shop window, Zach had placed a large glass rendering of two hearts twined into one. It mirrored all the colors of the glass creations above.

  And it was beautiful.

  It was them.

  Two hearts had blended into one.

  Why had she let so many days pass before coming out here? Ginger slumped onto the park bench and cried. Zach’s distance had everything to do with the wrong message she’d given him. Would he forgive her?

  Grabbing her phone from her pocket, Ginger called Zach’s number.

  “Hey.”

  The sound of his deep voice made her tremble. “Zach, I got your message and I owe you an apology.”

  “What message?”

  She sniffed. “The one in the windows.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Across the street.”

  “Stay put, I’m almost there.”

  Before she could say another word, Zach ended the call.

  She let loose an impatient growl and glanced up one end of Main and then down the other. Where was he?

  The faint rhythmic sound of tinkling bells grew louder. Ginger spotted the horse and carriage the chamber had hired for the weekend coming up a side street.

  Clop, clop, clop.

  As the horse and buggy drew closer, she realized the man seated in the back was Zach. He held up a huge florist bag and a heart-shaped shiny gold box.