Silent Hero by Andrew Grey

Army veteran Harmon Wheeler lost his voice and his future dreams with a single bullet. He knows he’s large and intimidating, but he can’t assure people he won’t hurt them when he can’t talk to them. Losing himself in books is one of his few pleasures. That and the patiently kind librarian who takes the time to help him.

Derek Willow sees past Harm’s menacing appearance to the gentle, intelligent man within, which intrigues him. Starting a sign language class seems like a way to both help Harm communicate with others and boost Derek’s candidacy for library director, pulling them closer.

Notes, text messages, and ASL facilitate the blossoming of Derek and Harm’s relationship. But Derek has a stalker who’s determined to have Derek for himself. Harm might not be able to speak, but he hasn’t forgotten anything he learned in combat. Can he protect Derek without scaring him away?