A Soldier's Valentine

“I didn’t get a good look at your place before I bought the building.” He looked around. “Your apartment is nicer than mine.”

Her gaze narrowed as if trying to read between the lines of what he said.

Great. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to kick you out. Just saying you made it nice.”

“I’m the queen of thrift stores and yard sales.”

She wasn’t afraid to use color. The walls were painted a sunny yellow and the tall windows had vibrant floral-patterned curtains instead of the plain wood blinds he used. Even the cupboards in her galley kitchen had been painted brick red.

He spotted the glass heart he’d given her hanging in the window by yellow ribbon to secure it. “You hung it up.”

She cocked her head to one side. “Did you think I’d smash it or something?”

“I apologize for earlier. I just wanted to be clear.” He smiled then, hoping she understood.

She shook her head without any sign of a grudge. “I see why you’re not a Valentine’s kind of guy.”

He laughed at her comeback. “You have no idea.”

It hit him then that he didn’t want to go to his parents’ party. He’d rather stay right here and curl up with Ginger on that plush couch against the far wall to watch a movie. His comment about tonight not being a date wasn’t really for her benefit but his own.

A reminder that Ginger Carleton was off-limits. Or should be.

“Ready?”

“Almost.” She sat down and pulled on knee-high leather boots over a pair of fuzzy striped socks. Then she slipped into a down jacket, more fuzzy mittens and a scarf. Grabbing her purse, she looked up. “I’m ready.”

He held the door open and followed down the stairs and outside. The snow fell harder now and the wind had kicked up, biting his nose with bitter cold.

“Is your car good in the snow?” She eyed his Jeep Wrangler with doubt.

“I have four-wheel drive, so yes. And the clearance is higher than your Beetle.”

She nodded and climbed in, kicking snow from her feet before swinging them inside.

He started the engine and brushed off the windows before slipping behind the wheel. Glancing at Ginger huddled in the seat next to him, looking cold, her couch beckoned even louder. “So, what’s going on in the morning? Church?”

“What?” She had the look of sweet confusion, as if he’d interrupted a pleasant daydream. “Oh. I volunteer on the worship team at church, and tomorrow is my Sunday to sing. I have to get there early to practice.”

He wasn’t the least bit surprised that Ginger was truly a woman of faith. Maybe having faith in common was what drew him. “Do you sing solo?”

“No way!” Ginger chuckled. “I’m not that good, but I can carry a tune well enough I suppose, or they would have tossed me by now. There are a few of us who sing with a small band. Do you go to church?”

“Yes.” He pulled out onto the road. “But I haven’t found what I’m looking for.”

“Would you like to go with me? I mean, you know, check it out.” She looked surprised for inviting him.

All things considered, he was, too. He couldn’t resist teasing her. “Are you asking me out?”

She’s old enough.

Her cheeks flushed. “Uh, no. You made that pretty clear.”

Had he really hurt her feelings? If so, it was a small price to pay for keeping things safe between them. “I’m your landlord.”

She gave him a cool stare. “Yeah, I know. Wait, don’t you go where your parents attend?”

“I’m looking for something less traditional.” He’d gone only once since he came home, and the church he’d grown up attending didn’t fit anymore.

She fumbled in her purse for a second or two. Then she whipped out a business card and placed it in his drink holder. “I go to Maple Springs Community Church and the service starts at nine. That’s the address and phone number. You can meet me there, since I’m going in early. It’s just a couple miles heading south, out of town.”

He nodded. “You’re quite the promoter, aren’t you?”

She shrugged but looked as if she braced for a slam.

He hadn’t meant to sound so critical and was sorry for it. “I have a proposition for you.”

She let loose a nervous-sounding giggle. “What’s that?”

It might serve both their needs, for now. “You want to win that window contest, right?”

She gave him a pointed look.

He chuckled. “I don’t have time to do it, but I’ll give you free rein on both windows and pay for the materials if you’ll do one thing.”

Now she looked nervous. “What’s that?”

“Wait on my customers so I can blow glass.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“You get the prize no matter which window wins.” He had to concentrate on the road ahead of him, but he could feel her weighing the pros and cons as she considered his request. He clenched his jaw to keep from coaxing her to accept. If what Monica had said was true, she could probably use the money.

“Okay, it’s a deal.” Ginger slipped off her mitten and held out her hand. “But we have to shake on it.”

“What?”

“Make it a true agreement between shop owners. Unless you’d rather put it in writing?”

“We don’t need to go that far.” He grabbed her hand for a quick pump but didn’t let go right away. Her skin felt soft. And something about the way her slender hand fit within his own made him feel protective of her. “We good?”

She pulled her hand away but wouldn’t look at him. “We’re good.”

Hopefully, he’d get more work done. And with Miss Sunny-Smiles working his customers, hopefully he’d make more sales, too. Which meant hired help or an apprentice might not be far off. Down the road, he’d like to take over the whole building so he could accommodate bigger orders. That would mean even more help.

He glanced at Ginger looking out her window. Snow fell fast, keeping his speed low. He’d give her plenty of notice to move her shop when the time came. Unless—would she consider working for him? She was great with his customers, but then she’d be even more off-limits.

There might come a day when he wouldn’t renew her business part of the lease. But if he hired Ginger Carleton, he’d have to give up any notions of cuddling on her couch.