Falling for the Marine by Shirley Jump

A second chance at the life he left behind…

Third grade teacher Jenny Wright pours everything into her job, determined to help Mercy Elementary improve its test scores so it can keep its accreditation. She’ll even kiss a pig on the snout if it gets her students to read more books. The principal isn’t so keen on her unorthodox methods, however, and makes a deal with her—he’ll support her unique approach if she makes room for a volunteer classroom helper: Nate Dole. The Nate Dole, who joined the Marines, left Mercy behind, and broke her heart.

Nate is just fine wallowing in his little house. The bullet that tore through his knee ripped away his career as a Marine along with his belief in himself. Now he’s back in Mercy, lost and depressed, wondering if he still has a purpose in life. When his mother volunteers him to help out at Mercy Elementary, he’s suddenly in close quarters with the one woman he never thought he’d see again. Jenny is just as beautiful as he remembers, but he isn’t the same man who left town years ago. It doesn’t take long for him to realize he’s still in love with her, but she’s not falling into his arms just yet.

As his week of volunteering comes to a close, Nate knows he’s running out of time to make amends for the past and build a new future. Can he convince Jenny that he’s in it for the long haul this time? Or will Jenny’s caution keep them from their second chance at forever?