The Soldier's Sweetheart. Deb Kastner

in his mind. Knowing Genevieve’s preferences might come in handy, especially if he was ever asked to choose something in his daughter’s stead—which he was beginning to realize was going come up more often than he could even imagine.

      Clothes for school. Dresses. Shoes. Hair bows. What did he know about raising a little girl?

      Nothing. Not a single thing.

      Haley would have been able to pick out a lollipop for Genevieve. For all he knew, grape had also been Haley’s favorite.

      He realized to his chagrin that he didn’t know what flavor his wife had preferred when she was alive. There were a lot of things he hadn’t taken the time to find out about Haley, and now it was too late to rectify his oversights, to make right all the many ways he’d erred as a husband.

      He cringed and squared his shoulders. Maybe it was too late to change the way things had gone down with Haley, but he could still be a good father to Genevieve, and that was exactly what he was going to do—make it up to her for the years he’d been away, and never let her feel alone or unprotected again.

      It was his one resolution in life—to make things right with his daughter.

      “You want one?” Samantha asked, holding the candy bowl out to him. “It’s on me. Free of charge.”

      Belatedly he realized he’d been staring at her and his composure nearly dropped. Only his many years of military training kept him from showing the apprehension that he felt in his gut.

      For a moment, he’d actually considered taking the candy. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d tasted a lollipop. Maybe not since early childhood. But he wasn’t a kid anymore.

      “No, but thank you for offering,” he answered after an extended pause.

      “She’s a lovely little girl,” Amanda Howell said. “Seth mentioned you’re a single father?”

      “Yes, ma’am.” Will’s throat felt scratchy and raw as he answered. “Genevieve’s mother passed away about four months back. My daughter stayed with my in-laws until my tour of duty was up, but now I’m looking to be a full-time daddy to her.”

      “We’ll help you as much as we can,” Amanda assured him. “Isn’t that right, Samantha?”

      “Hmm?” Samantha was entertaining Genevieve and clearly hadn’t heard her mother’s declaration.

      “I was just telling Will how we’d help him out with his sweet little girl,” her mother repeated. “You’re especially good with children. Genevieve has already taken to you.”

      Samantha’s blue eyes widened as she looked from her mother to Genevieve and back again. Then her gaze turned to Will. “I think my mom is referring to me teaching the preschool and kindergarten Sunday school classes at church,” she explained, shrugging one shoulder.

      Teaching preschool and kindergarten. Those were pretty good credentials, as far as Will was concerned. As long as she didn’t press Genevieve too hard on spiritual matters, she might really be the help he needed.

      If she wanted to help him. Considering the way her mother appeared to be pushing him on her, Will wasn’t so certain about that fact.

      The bell rang over the door and everyone turned at once. Two women—one with windswept brown hair and green eyes, the other with long, straight blond hair pulled back in a ponytail—whirled into the place like a couple of dervishes on a mission.

      “We came as soon as we heard,” the blond said, flicking her ponytail as she made her way straight for Will. “This must be the handsome guy you texted us about. And an ex-soldier, no less. Whew!”

      Will looked at Samantha. She’d texted her friends about him? Maybe she wasn’t as put off by his appearance as she’d first appeared to be. In any case, she was definitely embarrassed now. Her face was bright scarlet, the poor woman, at the uncomfortable spot her friend had just placed her in.

      Of course, they’d placed him in as equally tight a spot.

      “My name is Alexis Granger. Very glad to meet you,” the blonde purred, holding out a hand for him to shake. She had a firm grip, not one of those faint finger-shakes so many women were fond of. She was dusty and dressed for riding, and Will could smell what he guessed must be horses, a distinct and peculiar scent to which his nose wasn’t accustomed.

      It wasn’t bad, exactly. Just different. And it was just one of a million and one ways he’d discovered so far today how dissimilar Serendipity was from the big-city and military lifestyle he’d known in the past.

      “I’m Mary,” the brunette said with shy nod. “Welcome to Serendipity.” At least she didn’t invade his personal space, although there was no doubt that she was eyeing him appreciatively. Between Samantha’s two friends, Will was starting to feel like the candy in that jar Samantha was holding.

      “I’m William Davenport,” he said, shaking Mary’s hand. Her grip was softer than Alexis’s, more delicate. “Please call me Will.”

      “Will is going to be staying in Serendipity,” Samantha explained. Her voice sounded high and strained to Will’s ears.

      Both of her friends exclaimed in delight and high-fived each other. Didn’t they realize he was standing right here watching them?

      Hello. Still in the room.

      Mary and Alexis circled Samantha and launched into a garble of speech, but it was difficult for Will to make out what they were saying—and not because they were speaking in whispered tones.

      Oh, no. Quite the opposite. They were chattering away like chickens in a henhouse, their voices high and staccato. Samantha held her hands up in protest and rolled her eyes.

      Didn’t these people ever have visitors in their town? Or was it just the fact that he was a presumably single man that piqued their interest?

      If that was what they were excited about, they were in for an enormous disappointment. Will wasn’t the least bit interested in a relationship here in Serendipity. He was here to work, and to get to know his little girl—and that was it.

      No more. No less.

      He’d already messed up one woman’s life with his attention—or lack thereof. He wouldn’t do it again.

      “We were just discussing where Will and Genevieve will be living,” Amanda interjected, her voice a surprisingly reasonable, even tone compared to the younger women.

      And he’d thought she was overly exuberant when he’d first met her.

      “If he needs a place to stay, there’s plenty of room on my ranch,” Alexis offered with a flirtatious grin. “You could kick back with the stable hands. They’ve got a few extra bunks.”

      “I’d invite you,” said Mary, her cheeks coloring a rose pink, “except that I live alone.”

      “You’re not exactly alone with those gazillion dogs of yours,” Alexis amended with a hoot.

      Mary chuckled. “What about asking Pastor Shawn for assistance?”

      “Ladies,” Samuel said, toning down the conversation like a maestro controlling a symphony. “We’ve already got the details of Will’s living arrangements worked out to everyone’s satisfaction. He’ll be staying in one of our cabins along the creek and doing cabinetry work for us in exchange for room and board. Everybody wins.”

      Samantha sputtered and looked like she was choking. Her face turned beet red and her mouth moved, but no words came out. Clearly, she didn’t believe everybody in this situation would win, but she caught herself and smiled at him.

      Will clamped down on the emotions welling in his chest. She had no idea what her help meant to him. It wasn’t easy for him to humble his pride and accept assistance, but this wasn’t about him. It was about Genevieve, and he would do anything for his little girl.

      With