“She didn’t have so much as a scratch, but the truck wasn’t as fortunate,” Connor answered. “I’m just praying she doesn’t get jittery about driving on these icy roads. I remember when I had that accident back in high school. It took me a long time to work up the courage to get back behind the wheel.”
Hank nodded. “Sage is raving about her and how well she’s doing at the chocolate shop. I think my wife has found a new friend.”
“That’s great. Sage is the perfect person for Ella to bond with.” Just the thought of the two women becoming friends made him smile. His sister was compassionate and understanding. “It must be challenging being new to Owl Creek. Most of the townsfolk have been in each other’s pockets for all of our lives.”
Hank took a big swig of his hot chai. “Something tells me you’re doing some bonding of your own with Ella, judging by that look on your face.”
“We’re just friends,” Connor said, not wanting Hank or Gabe to get the wrong idea. He knew all too well how fast rumors spread here in town. “Even a blind man can see she’s beautiful,” he conceded, “so there’s a definite attraction. I feel this pull in her direction that makes me want to be around her.”
Gabe leaned forward across the table. “I can hear a ‘but’ coming.”
Connor let out a sigh. “At the risk of being considered paranoid, I’m pretty certain she’s running from something in her past.” He looked back and forth between his friends, waiting for skeptical expressions to appear on their faces. When it didn’t happen, he continued to speak. “I can’t say for certain what it is, but something doesn’t feel right about her backstory.”
“Maybe she had a bad breakup,” Gabe said. “People relocate all the time due to their personal lives.”
“True.” Connor sighed. “Trouble is, the only woman who makes me feel anything romantic at all these days is Ella.”
“And why is that a problem?” Hank asked.
“Because all of my instincts are telling me she’s sitting on a mountain of secrets. I can’t put my finger on it, but our new employee isn’t as she appears to be. And it’s putting up a wall between us.”
“What do you think she’s hiding?” Gabriel prodded.
Connor shrugged. “I have no idea. Something just doesn’t feel right. Her reason for coming all this way to Alaska is a bit shaky.”
Hank scratched his jaw. “People move all the time. Maybe her old life wasn’t working, and she wanted a fresh start. It’s not far-fetched at all. We have several residents who transplanted here from other places.”
Connor let out a frustrated sound. “Okay. It’s possible I’m just putting up roadblocks, but my instincts are telling me something is off with her. And I have to admit, it has crossed my mind that she could be involved in something illegal.”
“As a member of law enforcement, I have to caution you against going down that trail without evidence. It’s a huge leap,” Hank said.
“What your family has been through would make anyone a bit jaded,” Gabe added. “I know when Sage revealed herself as your long-lost sister, you were the last family member to believe it was true. You’re a pragmatic person, Connor, but sometimes you tend to see cracks when there really aren’t any. Just keep that in mind.”
“He’s right,” Hank chimed in. “And the problem is, you could be blocking your greatest blessing in the process.”
His greatest blessing. Lately, Connor had been thinking about his future and dreaming of a life different from the one he was leading. He loved his job, adored his family and his hometown, yet there was a void in his life that nothing had been able to fill. Although he would never admit it to his best friends, he was lonely. He’d never yearned for love before, but he knew it was the missing ingredient in an otherwise charmed life. Keeping women at a distance was his strong suit, but it hadn’t helped him move forward on his journey.
Could Ella become someone special in his life? Perhaps he was foolish to even think it, since they barely knew one another. Another part of him couldn’t help but wonder. He felt a strong, inexplicable pull in her direction. If he gave it a chance, would something develop between them? He had no idea. Keeping her at arm’s length seemed practical to him, but he couldn’t discount Gabriel’s and Hank’s comments. If he continued to do as he’d always done, the path he was taking would lead him to a lifetime of loneliness.
Chapter Seven
It was a beautiful January evening in Alaska and Chinook Woods was one of the loveliest places she’d ever seen. Isabelle had decided to attend the dog mushing event that featured a well-known dog musher, Ace Reynolds, who had ties to Owl Creek. Despite the frigid temperature, no snow was falling from the pewter-colored sky. Although Isabelle thought the fluffy white stuff was pretty, she still hadn’t gotten used to being surrounded by it. She inhaled the pristine air, then exhaled. It was true, she realized, what folks said about the Last Frontier. The air felt purer than any other place she’d ever been.
Day by day she was learning how to dress for the Alaskan climate. Tonight she had taken great care with her attire. She had decided on a black turtleneck sweater, a pair of black thermal leggings and a cranberry-colored parka. A pair of genuine Alaskan Lovely boots completed the outfit. The boots had been delivered to her house courtesy of Beulah. The gesture had been so thoughtful and kind. She felt very grateful that she’d landed in a town filled with sweet-natured people who never stopped going out of their way for her. Just this morning Rusty the mechanic had reached out to her, telling her that his repairs on her truck would be completed by tomorrow. He’d even offered to take her out on the icy roads for a few driving lessons. It had been such a heartwarming gesture, especially when Rusty told her he’d taught all of his four daughters how to drive on snow-slickened Alaskan roads.
Each act of kindness made her feel one step closer to becoming part of the Owl Creek community. It would make all the difference in the world to her if she was embraced by the residents. And she would try her best to reciprocate, even though she was having a bit of trouble opening up. She was so afraid of making another misstep and arousing suspicion.
Isabelle had graciously accepted a ride to town from one of her staff members, Lissa Montgomery. She hadn’t bothered to ask Connor, since she already felt so indebted to him for all of his transportation assistance. She didn’t want to make him feel as if he was her permanent chauffeur. And what if he’d brought a date tonight? She would have felt like an awkward third wheel. The idea of it made her shudder.
She could see him across the way, talking with two men she recognized from her first visit to the Snowy Owl Diner. The three men were all extremely animated. If she had to guess, Isabelle would say they were close friends of his. They seemed so comfortable in each other’s presence. That’s what she hoped to find here in town. A friend she could laugh with and share special moments with.
“Ella! I’m so thrilled you could make it!” Sage, accompanied by Piper and a striking woman with warm brown skin and a lovely smile, strode over to her. Sage leaned in to envelop her in a tight hug.
Isabelle grinned. “I’m happy to be here. I was just contemplating whether to grab some hot apple cider or a hot cocoa.”
“I’d go for the hot cocoa,” Piper said. “It’s straight from the chocolate factory.”
“And indescribably yummy,” the other woman added.
Sage introduced the woman. “This is Rachel Lawson. Rachel, this is Ella Perez.”
“Nice to meet you,” Rachel said, extending her mittened hand.
“You as well,” Isabelle said, recognizing the woman’s name as that of Iris’s daughter-in-law.
“Why don’t we get some of the hot chocolate?” Piper suggested. “I’ve been on my feet all day at the diner. I need a little pick-me-up.”
Rachel looped her arm through Piper’s in a show of support. “Aww. You deserve it.”
As th
ey walked toward the concession stand, Isabelle fielded questions about how she was acclimating to life in Owl Creek.
“Every day gets a little easier. The weather and the lack of sunlight are the two hardest challenges. I love working at the chocolate shop. And I’m not just saying that because your family owns it, Sage,” she teased, drawing laughter from the three women.
Sage nodded. “I’m glad you’re settling in so nicely.”
“Everyone has been very welcoming,” Isabelle answered. It still astounded her how the townsfolk were being so warm and helpful.
“Are you single?” Rachel asked. Although the question was a bit abrupt, Rachel exuded an air of kindness that made the inquiry palatable.
“Very much so,” Isabelle said. “I haven’t had a boyfriend in years,” she admitted. For so long Isabelle had thrown herself into her work at the club, never stopping to acknowledge how her hectic work schedule and unorthodox hours had made a relationship impossible.
“Something tells me you might not be single for long,” Rachel said with a knowing look etched on her face.
Isabelle quickly spoke up. The last thing she needed or wanted was prodding about her romantic life. “I’m not really looking for a relationship.”
Piper let out a loud chuckle. “That’s what I said right before I fell in love with my best friend. Now we’re getting married in a few weeks.”
“Life and love has a way of changing all of our plans,” Sage said. “None of us were looking for love, but it sure found us.”
Piper and Rachel both nodded their heads in agreement.
“We could put our heads together and make you a match!” Rachel said in a voice brimming with exuberance.
“That would be so much fun!” Piper said with a squeal.
“And since we know everyone in town, we could really home in on the best prospects,” Sage added. Excitement hung in the air as the women hatched a plan for Isabelle’s love life.
Isabelle shook her head. “I hate to rain on your parade, but I can’t think of anything that I’d dislike more than a fix-up. I’ve been on some blind dates that were the stuff of nightmares. I promised myself I’d never go down that road again.”
Isabelle didn’t miss the look of disappointment stamped on all three faces. They sounded so well-meaning. She knew they were trying to do something nice for her. Shame threatened to swallow her up. But none of them had any idea that she wasn’t like them. Her whole foundation in Owl Creek had been built on lies. Who would want to be in a relationship with a woman who couldn’t even tell the truth about her own name?
“I’m sorry,” she apologized. “Right now, I just want to focus on my job and getting acclimated to Alaskan living.”
“Don’t fret on our account,” Rachel said. “You’re a beautiful woman, Ella. You radiate pure positivity.” She winked at her. “You’ll be just fine.”
As they stood in line and ordered their cocoa, Isabelle thought about what her new friends had suggested. Though a part of her would love to be coupled up, it just wouldn’t be fair for her to become involved with someone when she couldn’t be honest with him about being in the Witness Protection Program. It was hard to imagine living happily-ever-after without complete truth and transparency.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. It was one of Isabelle’s favorite Bible passages. Lately, she had been reciting it several times a week and drawing strength from it. She still harbored a little kernel of hope that her situation might change one day. Every night she prayed to get her life back.
Isabelle let out a ragged sigh. Her life here in town would be so different if she wasn’t in Alaska under the guise of being a completely different person. What would it be like, she wondered, to be as carefree as Sage, Rachel and Piper? They all seemed to lead such happy and contented lives, free of problems or worries. A feeling of envy rose up inside her. She missed the days when her biggest concern was whether she was going to get a raise at work. It was hard not to wish for simpler days when she didn’t have to struggle to keep her story straight or look over her shoulder in fear.
And it was even more difficult to imagine being drawn toward someone in Owl Creek other than Connor. Even though she knew better than to try to pursue anything romantic with him, she couldn’t deny his massive appeal or her own excitement whenever they were together. She wasn’t sure there was a man in Owl Creek who could compare to him.
* * *
Connor stood back and surveyed all of the revelry taking place in front of him. He was grinning so widely the sides of his mouth were beginning to feel the strain. There were so many people who’d come out tonight to support the dog mushing event. It’s what he loved most about Owl Creek. The townsfolk truly loved gatherings where they could socialize and support one another. All the proceeds from this evening were going to support rescue dogs through the outreach of Best Friends, a local veterinary clinic in town owned by Maya Roberts.
Maya had recently returned to Owl Creek in order to take over the practice from her dad, Vance Roberts, who had made the decision to retire. So far, she was impressing everyone in town with her skill and generous heart. Her advocacy on behalf of rescue dogs had almost convinced him to adopt a four-legged companion. He wasn’t sure Bear was ready for another dog in the house, but Connor still had his eye on adopting. Once his Siberian husky was better trained, Connor was going to reach out to Maya.
Try as he might, Connor couldn’t manage to look away for long from Ella, who was standing with Sage, Rachel and Piper. His gaze kept veering back to her. Seeing the foursome amiably chatting made him happy. Ella needed connections in town in order to properly settle in to her new life. She couldn’t befriend three more fabulous women than the ones she was with at the moment.
“So, why are you standing over here when Ella is over there? Clearly she’s on your mind judging by the way you keep staring at her.” Gabe jutted his chin in Ella’s direction. Connor swung his gaze her way for what felt like the hundredth time. In her cranberry-colored parka, matching hat, boots and black leggings, she looked ready for the Alaskan elements. Fashionable and functional. Always stunning.
“I’m not staring. Can’t a person just look around at the scenery?” Connor asked through gritted teeth.
“Did you bring her here tonight? I thought maybe she was your date,” Braden inquired in a loud voice.
Connor glared at his brother. “We are not on a date. Can you keep your voice down? The last thing I need is to have everyone in town spreading that rumor around. You know how it goes.”
Hank, Braden and Gabriel had identical grins on their faces. He could tell they didn’t believe a word he was saying about not being paired up with Ella.
“Come on! It’s not funny. We’re not an item!” Connor protested.
“Not yet,” Hank said. “But with your smooth moves, it’s only a matter of time.” He wiggled his eyebrows, garnering more laughter from the group.
“You guys don’t know what you’re talking about,” he snapped. There were way too many reasons why a relationship between them was an impossibility. Above all else, he didn’t trust her. There were too many red flags popping up. Her nervousness about having her ID picture taken had been bizarre.
“It’s obvious you like her. You’ve had the same tell since we were in elementary school,” Gabe said with a smirk.
Connor frowned at him. “What are you talking about?”
Braden pointed at his feet. “The way you rock back and forth on your heels. It’s a dead giveaway that you’re into Ella. You’ve been doing it ever since she got here.”
Gabe and Hank nodded in agreement.
Gabe placed his hand on Connor’s shoulder. “I hate to break it to you, but two of the Three Amigos have settled down. And Braden will be married in no time at all. You might be next. You’ve got to be open to it, though,” Gabe said. “Don’t stick
your head in the sand.”
Connor let out a groan. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t already thought about the fact that Gabriel, Hank and Braden had all found the loves of their lives, while he’d been sitting on the sidelines. How could he forget when his mother kept hinting about his single status? It was beginning to grate on him. “I’m not in any rush to settle down. That’s not my goal.” He’d been using this stock excuse for years, but for some reason it no longer felt one hundred percent true. Seeing everyone else in his inner circle pair off had caused a shift inside him. He no longer wanted to walk through life alone.
“And that’s fine,” Hank conceded, “but it isn’t like you not to pursue someone you’re clearly interested in. You did tell us you wanted something more substantial in a relationship.”
He couldn’t deny the validity of Hank’s words. Hank, Braden and Gabriel knew him so well. They were always able to see straight through him and all the way down to the parts of him he didn’t always like to share with the world. He had no doubt they knew he’d been feeling alone lately.
There wouldn’t be any harm in approaching Ella this evening. They were friends after all. He’d been a bit surprised when she had turned down his offer for a ride into town tonight. He had been looking forward to spending more time in her company. He let out a sigh. It was silly for him to be disappointed about something so trivial, yet he couldn’t deny how he felt. The car ride would have provided another opportunity to get to know her. Despite his doubts about Ella, he wanted to find out more about her life in Flagstaff and all the small details about her likes and dislikes. Was red her favorite color? Did she envision living out the rest of her days here in Owl Creek? What type of music did she enjoy?
Even though all of his instincts were warning him to steer clear of Ella, he couldn’t deny he felt a strong pull in her direction. He vacillated between believing she was hiding something terrible in her past and thinking she was some kind of wonderful. One way or the other, he intended to find out which one was the truth.
Hiding in Alaska Page 8