“Wow!” she said as employees plucked confections off the line and placed them in boxes, while others carried the boxes to another area. It looked like a finely honed operation. “This is quite the setup. Everyone is working in unison without skipping a beat.”
“It’s pretty spectacular, isn’t it?” Connor asked. “We have the best employees in the world, if I do say so myself.” Even though she hadn’t done anything so far to earn praise, Isabelle felt buoyed by his words. It was nice to know he valued the employees.
She simply nodded, feeling overwhelmed by everything around her. The aroma of chocolate permeated the air. Isabelle felt certain she’d never smelled anything so delectable in her entire life. She couldn’t put her finger on the specific type of chocolate floating in the air but it was probably an assortment of flavors. The smell was making her mouth water.
“It smells like my mama’s chocolate-and-almond cake. It’s a family favorite.” A groundswell of nostalgia caused the words to burst from her mouth. She’d planned to avoid any mention of her family, but it wasn’t as easy as she had imagined. Baking this particular delicacy was a tradition in their family going back generations. It was a huge part of her history. She would give anything to be seated at her family’s large dining room table digging into a slice of the sweet baked good.
Connor nodded his head approvingly. “I’ve never had the pleasure, but I’ve heard of it. If you decide to make it, don’t forget to bring me a slice.”
Although a part of her enjoyed the lighthearted banter between them, Isabelle continually had to remind herself to maintain a distance from Connor. From the first day they’d met, Isabelle had felt an attraction between them. If things weren’t so messed up in her world, she wouldn’t hesitate to flirt with Connor, perhaps even go out on a date with him if he asked. But her conscience wouldn’t allow her to develop anything more than a friendship with him. It would be wrong to lead him on when she couldn’t tell him the truth about being in the Witness Protection Program.
Honestly, she might be getting way ahead of herself. For all she knew, Connor had a long-term girlfriend in town, although she’d seen no signs of it. She’d overheard her staff talking about Connor being a sought-after bachelor in Owl Creek. Perhaps she was misreading things between them. Maybe she was the only one who felt something simmering in the air between them.
“You can enjoy the full tour later on, but I think we should head to my grandmother’s office. I know she’s eager to see you,” Connor said, leading her toward a bank of elevators. When they reached the second floor, he led her down a hall of executive offices. They passed by one with Connor’s name engraved on a brass plaque, but Isabelle didn’t get an opportunity to get much of a glimpse of the interior. All she spotted was a tall bubble gum machine situated next to a sleek-looking desk. Connor slowed down when they reached a grand office a few doors down from his own. Located at the end of the corridor, Beulah’s office was bright and welcoming, much like the woman herself.
“Ella! It’s great to see you here,” Beulah said as she rose from her chair. She quickly made her way around her desk and reached for Isabelle’s hands, joining them together with her own.
For a second Isabelle felt startled by the greeting. She hadn’t yet gotten used to being called Ella. It was still a bit jarring. Seeing Beulah felt wonderful, though. The older woman had been so kind and supportive on her first day. With her oversize personality and stately air, she reminded Isabelle of her own mother. They both exuded an air of confidence mixed with benevolence.
“Thank you for the invitation, Beulah. From what I’ve seen so far, this place is amazing,” Isabelle gushed.
Beulah beamed at her praise. “I won’t disagree with you. Not even a little bit. One of my smartest decisions was marrying my husband, Jennings. Not only did I get a cherished life partner, but it brought the North Star Chocolate Company into my life. His family created it, but I couldn’t love it any more if I was born into it.”
Connor put his arm around his grandmother. “You were destined to be a part of it.”
Beulah beamed up at Connor. The interaction between them was heartwarming. She could feel the love flowing in the air.
“I would like to show you something, my dear.” She strode over to her desk and pointed at a framed picture hanging on the wall. “This photo was taken over one hundred years ago when the factory first opened.”
Isabelle’s eyes widened as she studied the black-and-white photograph. At the time the image was taken, the factory was a simple brick building no more than a few thousand square feet. “I can’t believe it’s the same place. What a difference a century makes,” Ella said.
“It might surprise you, but I wasn’t born yet,” Beulah said with a wink.
Connor and Isabelle joined in on the laughter. It was impressive to see such a distinguished businesswoman have the ability to laugh at herself. Connor was blessed to have her as his grandmother. Isabelle felt a burst of gratitude that she’d secured a position at Beulah’s company.
“I’d like to show you some behind-the-scenes areas of the factory. It’s a rite of passage for new employees,” Beulah said, gleefully rubbing her hands together. “I might even share some trade secrets.”
Connor leaned in toward Isabelle, speaking in a loud whisper as he said, “But then she’d have to make you disappear.”
Connor’s close proximity caused her pulse to quicken. A rich, woodsy scent hovered around him. Although Isabelle had met men like Connor before, she’d never met anyone who appeared to be the whole package. His dark hair and blue eyes combined with chiseled features and a rugged build made him one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen. He was smart and confident, with a loving family by his side. And judging by the lack of a wedding ring and local chatter, he was still single.
Beulah swatted her grandson. “I’d do no such thing. Follow me, Ella. There’s plenty of intriguing aspects of this operation.”
Isabelle nodded and walked over to Beulah. The CEO was a font of information and she couldn’t wait to hear more from the older woman about the craft of making chocolate. She would be the perfect tour guide.
“I’m going to head back to my office and make a few phone calls,” Connor said, glancing at his watch. “I’ll see both of you in a little bit.”
Isabelle felt a stab of disappointment. She loved Connor’s whimsical side and the factory seemed to bring it out in him. She couldn’t deny that Connor was quickly becoming a distraction. He tempted her to think of quiet nights by the fire and snowy walks on the town green.
What was it about Connor that brought out this side of her? She’d already decided to steer clear of any romantic entanglements in Owl Creek, knowing it would only serve to complicate her life if she became involved with anyone. But time after time her thoughts kept veering toward Connor.
For the next hour, Beulah walked Isabelle around the factory. There was so much to see behind the scenes. Isabelle was fascinated by the process of making such delicious chocolate from a simple cocoa bean. After seeing her keen interest, Beulah invited her to put on a uniform and take a turn on the assembly line. She was intrigued by the entire operation and the history of North Star Chocolates. Beulah rattled off so many details as they continued the tour, providing her with so much information that Isabelle’s head was spinning.
Along the way Isabelle was introduced to numerous employees, all of whom appeared to hold Beulah in high esteem. Even though she was the CEO, Beulah was down-to-earth and likable. She treated everyone in the factory as if they were as important to the company as she was.
At the end of the tour Isabelle was treated to a new product that was being rolled out in the factory. It was the most delicious white hot chocolate cocoa created by Connor and his siblings. Beulah even tucked a few packets in a little pouch for Isabelle to take along with her.
As Beulah accompanied Isabelle back to t
he corridor where they’d started, she stopped in front of the office that Isabelle now knew belonged to Connor.
“I’m going to leave you here with my grandson. I hope you enjoyed the tour.”
“It was truly wonderful,” Isabelle said. “Thanks for making time for my visit. It means the world to me.”
Beulah reached out and squeezed her hand. “It’s impressive that you came all the way from Flagstaff to work for our company. I have a really good feeling about you, Ella. And I don’t say that often.”
Isabelle’s heart sank. Guilt pricked at her. Beulah believed in her. The CEO of the North Star Chocolate Company had no idea that she’d hired a person who didn’t actually exist. Ella Perez was a creation of WITSEC. Beulah’s kindness made her feel like a complete and utter fraud. All she could do was stuff down the feelings of worthlessness and plaster a placid smile on her face.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence,” Isabelle murmured.
“Thanks for coming, my dear. Don’t be a stranger. I hope to see you at some of our town events, starting with this weekend’s festivities,” Beulah said as she strode down the corridor. Isabelle knew she was referring to the dog mushing event that Connor had briefly mentioned. Signs promoting the event had been plastered all over Main Street and the town green. She didn’t plan to miss it. It would provide her with a bona fide Alaskan experience.
Isabelle called out a feeble goodbye. Guilt threatened to swallow her up. She wished there weren’t so many things about herself that she was hiding. Spending time with Beulah would be so much more rewarding if she could truly be Isabelle Sanchez. Beulah North was such a genuine person. She liked to think they had that in common, but at the moment, Isabelle couldn’t credit herself with that attribute.
“Are you all right?” Connor asked, concern threaded in his voice as he came to his office door.
“I... I’m fine,” she murmured. But she really wasn’t. Isabelle didn’t enjoy feeling as if she was earning praise under false pretenses. The North family had treated her warmly ever since she’d arrived in their small Alaskan town. Beulah felt like an old friend, and she didn’t want to ever let her down.
“You look a little shaken up,” he said as he ushered her inside. “Can I get you anything? Perhaps some ice water?”
“No, I’m okay. Just a little headache,” she said, pressing her fingers against her temple. She swung her gaze around Connor’s office. It was a bright and airy space with colorful decorative touches. The tall bubble gum machine told her a lot about the man. It was a fun and imaginative touch. Maybe he was a kid at heart.
Connor followed her gaze. “That’s my own homage to Willie Wonka. As a kid I always wanted a machine like this one in my bedroom.” He flashed her a smile. “Clearly, my parents knew that it wasn’t a good idea back then. I would have eaten them nonstop.”
Isabelle grinned at the idea of a pint-size Connor yearning for a bubble gum machine. She could easily imagine a mini version of him. “Well, you finally made it happen. Good for you.”
“Hey! Before I forget, I need to take your picture. HR usually does it for new employees, but I’m filling in for them this week. Let me grab my camera,” he said. Connor turned toward his desk and began rifling through one of his drawers. After a few moments of fumbling around he located it.
Her picture? Her heart began beating a wild rhythm in her chest as her mind buzzed with questions.
“Why do you need to take my picture?” she asked. Isabelle could hear the panic in her own voice.
“You need an employee ID with your picture on it,” Connor explained. A frown marred his brow. “It’s standard procedure for new employees. And we might use the same photo for our company newsletter down the road. We always like to give a nice introduction to our new employees.”
Fear gripped her. All of a sudden it felt as if she couldn’t breathe. She hadn’t anticipated this happening and she had no idea how to shut it down. What if having her picture taken placed her in a compromising position? Connor’s casual mention of a newsletter was alarming. There were always so many what-ifs running around in her brain. It was nearly impossible to turn off the worry. What if someone recognized her from the company’s newsletter? Just the idea of having her photo in the company’s database made her feel uneasy. How many times had Marshal Kramer reminded her to keep a low profile? Although the idea of Vincent Burke and his cohorts tracking her down in Owl Creek seemed far-fetched, it still didn’t stop the panic from rising up inside her. With Burke’s request for a new trial pending, there was even more reason for him to want her out of the way. She was still in real danger.
“No!” she said in a heated voice. “I’m sorry! I really don’t want to have my picture taken.”
* * *
The vehemence in Ella’s tone floored Connor. At first, he thought she was joking, but one look at the way her mouth was set in a thin, hard line convinced him otherwise. She was bristling with emotion. It radiated off her in waves. Some instinct warned him to tread lightly.
“Is there some reason you don’t want your picture taken?” he asked. He shouldn’t assume, but most women who looked like Ella were photogenic. He didn’t understand what the big deal was at all. Was he missing something?
She shook her head, and said, “I... I probably look a wreck. I don’t feel camera ready.” He watched as she smoothed her hair back. She had a light sheen of perspiration on her forehead.
“You look great, Ella. Trust me, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.” He was trying to put her at ease, but her body language didn’t relax. She still looked as if she wanted to be anywhere else but here. Although he felt bad for her discomfort, he still felt stumped as to why she was making a big deal out of it. In the scheme of things, it shouldn’t matter at all. Unless there was some reason why it mattered more than she was saying.
He prodded her. “Can I get a little smile? You’re going to need this ID for the foreseeable future. You don’t want to be frowning in the photo.”
The corners of her mouth lifted, but the emotion didn’t make it all the way to her eyes. It didn’t feel genuine. He snapped a few photos, then lowered the camera and studied the images. Just as he’d suspected, the camera had captured Ella’s beauty as well as her discomfort. “I’m sure one of these can work for your ID.”
She knit her brows together. “That’s good. So, you’re just using the photo for my ID? Nothing else?”
“I promise you, we’re not going to put it on the front page of the Owl Creek Gazette. And our newsletter is a mail out that is only sent out to people who work for us, so you’re not going to become famous.” His tone was teasing, but he wasn’t sure the situation was funny. Ella was clearly ruffled. Why was she acting so camera shy? All morning he’d been able to put aside his niggling doubts about Ella. Until now. Suddenly his mind was drifting to all the strange things he’d observed about her ever since they’d met. He continued to have so many questions about her.
Ella’s shoulders noticeably sagged with relief. “I should probably head back to the shop. Being here was a nice treat, but I don’t want to overstay my visit.”
“You’re welcome here anytime,” Connor said. And despite his doubts, he meant it. Ella was a breath of fresh air in Owl Creek and at the chocolate company. When a person grew up in a small Alaskan town they were part of a tight-knit community. Connor had always loved that aspect of his hometown. On the downside, you knew everyone, and in return, they knew everything about you. There weren’t too many opportunities to peel back the layers. Maybe that was what was really bothering him about the beautiful newcomer. She seemed to have a wall up, despite the sweet air she exuded.
“Let me walk you back to the entrance,” Connor said. “These hallways can be a bit tricky.”
Ella nodded and walked alongside him. Along the way, employees gave them hearty greetings and a few times she threw out questions about the
factory. She appeared to be genuinely interested in the workings of his family’s company.
Connor couldn’t help but notice the curious looks in Ella’s direction. As a newbie to the small town, Ella stood out from everyone else who’d been born and bred in Owl Creek. Folks were bound to be curious about her. He wasn’t sure what exact feelings he was battling against when a few male employees smiled extra long in her direction. Was he being overly protective or slightly annoyed at their interest in her?
“Thanks for everything. I talked to Rusty and it’s going to be a little bit longer to make the repairs.” Ella winced. “It seems I really did some damage in the accident. He had to order some special parts from Anchorage.”
“It’s not a problem. We’re neighbors. I’m available for as long as you need me.” Ella seemed beholden to him for the daily rides to town and back, but in reality she was doing him a favor. She was keeping him company and brightening up his day. He enjoyed hearing about her daily adventures at the chocolate shop and finding out about the new trends in customer purchases. It felt as if he was seeing things through a brand-new pair of eyes. He planned to be a creative force at North Star Chocolates for the remainder of his working life. One day he would take over the reins from Beulah, since his parents had already decided they didn’t wish to be at the helm. He planned to inject his own special brand of creativity and passion into the company. Until that time he was going to be a sponge and soak up all he could regarding the business.
“As long as it’s not an imposition. As soon as I get the truck back I plan to practice driving on the roads near my house just to get some experience.” Ella’s expression was sheepish. He sensed she was still beating herself up about the accident.
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