A Soldier's Valentine. Jenna Mindel
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. And 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