A Soldier's Valentine. Jenna Mindel

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      Confrontation wasn’t something she relished on a good day. And today wasn’t exactly a good day. Not yet, anyway. Not until she had some sales.

      Hurrying to get back to her shop, she glanced at the other stores along Main filling up with shoppers. Christmas decorations still teased from inside storefront windows even though it was the middle of January. Greenery-stuffed window boxes and velvet-bowed wreaths hung from doors.

      It still looked like Christmas in Maple Springs and would remain so until the weather warmed. Few decorations were taken down earlier than the end of March with the exception of the Center Park Christmas tree. That had been cleared away last week.

      The cold air made her hasten her steps. Slipping on a patch of ice, she bobbled but caught herself and stayed upright. A strong hand gripped her shoulder, steadying her. Fearing it might be Lewis, she looked up and breathed easy when it wasn’t.

      “Thanks.”

      Matthew Zelinsky chuckled and let go. “I don’t know how you walk in those things.”

      Ginger laughed, too, glancing at her high-heeled-boot indulgence. “It takes skill.” Then she looked around. “Where’s Annie?”

      “Home with the baby. She didn’t want to take John out in this cold.”

      Ginger smiled. “She’s hogging that little guy all to herself.”

      “She loves being a mom,” Matthew said.

      “Tell me something I don’t know.” At thirty-two, Ginger’s biological clock had a few ticks left, but then she wasn’t exactly looking for a husband. She hadn’t met any she considered worth the trouble. Or the risk.

      Matthew was one of the good ones. He had stepped in to help after Annie’s husband had died, and they’d ended up falling in love. As first mate on a Great Lakes freighter, Matthew was home until late March when the shipping season started up again. “By the way, my mom’s having a get-together in two weeks, and we’d like you to come.”

      “A prenuptial celebration? Sure, I’m in.” Ginger was thrilled that Matthew had given Annie an engagement ring at New Year’s. They planned a small, informal wedding the week before Valentine’s Day.

      “More of a welcome home for Zach.”

      “Oh...” She’d agreed too soon.

      “I’ll tell Annie that you’re going. She’ll be glad to have you there. I think my family overwhelms her at times. See ya.” Matthew waved as he trotted off.

      Ginger waved back. She knew how Annie felt. Captain Zelinsky had certainly overwhelmed her. And he hadn’t been happy about a welcome-home parade. Not one bit. How would he take a welcome-home party with his huge family?

      * * *

      Zach woke with a start. His fists were full of sheet and bedspread and his T-shirt stuck to his back. He looked at the clock blaring red numbers that read 5:15 a.m., and swung his legs over the side of the bed. With his elbows resting on flannel-covered knees, he forced the shaking to stop by breathing deep.

      A soft knock followed by the creak of the door confirmed that he woke someone else up with his thrashing. “Zach?”

      “I’m okay, Mom. Go back to bed.” He hoped she’d leave but knew otherwise. She was his mom. She’d try to make things all better like always, but he didn’t have a skinned knee. This couldn’t be healed with a kiss and a cartoon-covered bandage.

      She entered the dark room and sat next to him. “How often?”

      “What?”

      “Do you dream like this?” She spoke softly, not calling them by name.

      He didn’t blame her. He didn’t call them by name either, but he’d definitely had the same nightmare over and over since coming home. Today’s parade, his uniform and the flags must have triggered what he’d tried to bury. But the horror of seeing his men torn to pieces in an ambush wouldn’t stay buried. He’d been helpless then, and he was helpless now.

      He’d led them there.

      Zach let out the breath he’d been holding. “I don’t know. Often enough, I guess.”

      “Oh, honey.” His mom put her hands on his shoulders and kneaded the tight muscles there. She also mumbled under her breath.

      Leaning closer, he realized his mom prayed. For him.

      He closed his eyes, too. Jesus, please...

      He’d taken his Lord’s name in vain way too many times in his life. He’d also said the name in repentance and as a prayer. Now, he begged. For what, he still couldn’t put to words. Peace eluded even though he was out of the service. Even though he’d talked to a counselor at the VA. Even though the mayor had introduced him to the director of the local VA office here. Would it help to keep talking? Zach didn’t think so.

      Buying a building where he could make things with glass might bring him the peace he sought. It’s what he’d planned for after he retired. He just hadn’t figured he’d have to retire this soon.

      God knew he wanted to forget. But some things a person never forgot, including the notification letter that he’d been part of the army’s reduction in force initiative. He’d received a letter during his last deployment that his service was no longer needed.

      He stood and kissed the top of his mother’s head. “Thanks, Mom. Now go back to bed.”

      She searched his eyes. “You’re not going to sleep, are you?”

      “No.” He didn’t want to repeat that dream. “Don’t tell Dad.”

      His mom’s eyes narrowed. “He’d be the right person to talk to. He could introduce you to a friend at the VA office here. They have a program—”

      “No.” Zach cut her off. He’d had enough talking on base. Seeing the hurt look in his mom’s eyes, he softened. “I already met the guy, but not now. Not yet.”

      She didn’t approve, he could plainly see that, but she nodded anyway. Zach’s mother never went back on her word. She’d protected him as a kid. His father hadn’t known about the middle school brawls Zach had been in until many years later.

      “I’m going to the shop to get some work done.” He needed to get settled into his own place where he wouldn’t wake his parents with his dreams. He needed to do something to keep his mind engaged in other realities. He needed to leave.

      His mom gave him a worried look. “Be careful, honey. It’s dark out there.”

      “I will.” He chuckled.

      He knew all about darkness. He’d faced far worse than the winding ten-mile drive into Maple Springs. By the time he’d thrown on clothes, made a thermos filled with coffee and climbed into his Jeep, Zach looked forward to going into town.

      He wanted quiet but not isolation. He’d never been a fan of big crowds, so city life was out. But living atop his own glass studio in a small town that shriveled up to nothing СКАЧАТЬ