This was the moment he’d been hoping for over the past few weeks. It gave him confirmation that the attraction wasn’t one-sided. Ella felt something for him! In all of his life Connor had never experienced a kiss like this one. It was so natural and tender. It felt like coming home, as if they’d known each other all of their lives. Was this the elusive feeling he’d been missing out on all this time?
For a few moments they were lost in the kiss. Time seemed to stand still. For the life of him Connor didn’t want it to end. He didn’t want to go back to a place where he still had unanswered questions about Ella. This moment felt so perfect since it came from a place of feeling and not reason. All that mattered was this connection between them.
As the kiss ended and they drew apart, Connor swept his palm against her cheek. She looked up at him, her sooty lashes framing her beautiful eyes. He could stay here for hours just looking at her.
“I should head home. You need to get some sleep, Ella.”
“I am feeling pretty tuckered out,” she admitted. “Now I can sleep soundly and not worry about strange noises from the darkness.”
“I’ve lived here my whole life. I can’t remember a single instance when folks had to worry about break-ins. You’re safe here.”
He watched as her shoulders sagged in relief. Whatever was troubling her, he was happy he’d been able to allay her fears, even though he was still struggling to figure her out. Connor still felt curious about her situation and who was responsible for frightening her, but he sensed that she wasn’t going to open up to him. He had a sinking feeling in his gut. No matter how deeply he wished she would confide in him, only Ella could make that decision. And so far she was choosing not to do so.
As they said good-night by the door, Ella reached up and placed a swift kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Connor. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t stopped by.”
“I’m glad I did. I actually stopped by to bring you the goody bags from the party. I put them on the table in the foyer.”
“Thank you,” Ella murmured. “That was very sweet of you.”
“I’m here for you, Ella. I’m a good listener and I don’t judge. I can be a strong shoulder to lean on if you need one.”
His gaze didn’t waver as he looked at her. One word from Ella and he would head right back into the house and listen to anything and everything she wanted to tell him. All this time Ella had been an enigma, a puzzle he’d been trying to figure out. Even though they had just shared a tender moment, there were still many pieces missing.
Connor felt a stab of disappointment when she bade him good-night without taking him up on his offer. As he walked to his truck and settled in behind the driver’s seat, he couldn’t deny the confused feelings warring inside of him. The kiss he’d shared with Ella had been exhilarating. But her secrets still stood between them.
He was impatient to finally get some answers about the things she’d been hiding. Until that time, Connor knew he couldn’t offer her anything more than friendship.
* * *
Isabelle woke up the following morning from a very unsettled slumber. She knew her sense of unease had everything to do with Connor’s visit and the kiss they’d shared. It had felt nice in the moment, but her conscience wouldn’t allow her to proceed any further. A man like Connor North deserved truth and transparency, neither of which she could give him.
She had every intention of spending a leisurely Sunday doing a few things around the house after she returned from church. In order to subdue her grumbling stomach, Isabelle headed down to the kitchen and made herself a bowl of oatmeal and two pieces of wheat toast with genuine Alaskan blueberry jam. Despite her state of mind, every bite tasted delectable.
Just as she was about to head upstairs for a shower, a knock sounded on her front door. She looked down at her leisure wear—a pair of sweatpants and a matching top, along with a pair of fuzzy socks. She looked somewhat presentable, she guessed. But what if it was Connor? She really didn’t want him to see her looking so frumpy.
Oh, well. If it was Connor, he might as well see her in an unfiltered way since they were stuck in the friend zone. With a sigh, she got up from her chair and headed toward the door. Right before she pulled it open, Isabelle let her hair free from a ponytail holder and shook it loose, running her fingers though the strands to tame it. She yanked open the door as her greeting froze on her lips.
“Jonah! What are you doing here?” The question flew out of her mouth. The U.S. Marshal was standing at her doorstep dressed in a pair of dark jeans, a black puffer jacket and a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses.
“You sounded pretty frantic during our phone call. My boss agreed it was time for me to make a house call.”
“I can’t believe you came. Come inside,” she said, ushering him into the house.
“Thanks. Homer is just a short flight away,” Jonah said as he crossed the threshold and entered her house. “It gave me an opportunity to ride in a seaplane. That doesn’t happen every day.”
“Why don’t we go into the kitchen and I’ll make us some hot cocoa,” she offered. She had dozens of packets, courtesy of North Star Chocolates.
“Sounds good,” Jonah said as he trailed after her and settled himself at her farmhouse-style table while she prepared the cups of hot chocolate. “How are you getting acclimated to Owl Creek?”
“I’m getting there,” she said. “It’s been difficult at times, especially missing my family.” Her throat tightened. “But the people here have been pretty wonderful,” she added as Connor’s face flashed before her eyes.
“And the company you’re working for?” Jonah asked as she placed a cup down in front of him and sat down across from him with her own mug of cocoa.
“So far, it’s been incredible. I have nothing to say but positive things.” She smiled at Jonah. “What’s not to love? I’m able to be around chocolate all day and I get lots of samples to take home. I wish I had more self-control,” she admitted with a laugh.
Jonah nodded. “Everything sounds like it’s falling into place. I thought you might have packed up your suitcases and given your employer a resignation letter.” He took a sip of his cocoa and let out a satisfied sound. “You sounded pretty frantic the other day when we spoke. Even after you found out your photo wasn’t going online, I got the impression you were still jittery.”
“I was,” she answered, shuddering as she remembered her anxiety from a few days ago. She had been in such turmoil that she’d honestly considered leaving Owl Creek and asking to be reassigned to another locale. “Thankfully, the CEO decided my picture was only going to be hung up at the factory and the chocolate shop with only a brief mention in the employee newsletter. I have the feeling her grandson might have told her it made me uncomfortable.” She let out a ragged sigh. “I may have overreacted. I’m sorry if you wasted a trip.”
“It’s not a waste, especially if you’ve decided to stay put here in town. It gets a bit messy when things fall apart so quickly. As you know, relocating isn’t easy. Of course it would be your decision, but you would have to start the whole process all over again. That would be very stressful for you.”
Isabelle didn’t want to go anywhere. She couldn’t imagine finding a better relocation spot than where she’d landed. Now that the panic had dissipated, she could see her situation clearly. Staying put was the best move.
“I like it here. It’s miles apart from anything I’ve ever known, but it’s growing on me.” It was gratifying being able to give Jonah a good report after the anxiety she’d experienced the other day. It served as a reminder that sometimes she needed to breathe before allowing her mind to take her to dark places. She wanted to be in a place where she was living in a state of grace and not fear.
“That’s what we like to hear. Keeping you safe is our number one priority, but we also want you to live the best life possible. A life without fear.”<
br />
That was her goal as well. It made her soul soar to know she was more than just a case number to the marshals assigned to her protection.
“I have a question for you. Has anything changed with the case? I know it’s a long shot, but are there any updates?”
Jonah quirked his mouth. “I hate being the bearer of bad news, but it’s part of the job description. One of Burke’s cronies who was serving as a witness was killed yesterday.”
Isabelle let out a gasp and raised her hand to her throat. “Oh, no! That’s awful.”
Jonah’s expression was somber. “We have no doubt Burke was behind it. His reach extends beyond prison. The witness wasn’t under the protection of WITSEC however, since he refused to participate. Burke has appealed the case, which means it would benefit him if you can’t testify in any future trial. You’re still in jeopardy, Ella. Don’t ever forget it.”
Isabelle wrapped her hands around her heated mug. Despite the warmth, she felt a shiver run through her. Jonah didn’t pull any punches. Her life was still in danger. Another witness had been killed by Burke. She had no doubt he would enjoy tracking down her whereabouts in Owl Creek and doing the same to her.
After Connor’s assurances last night, she was beginning to feel secure in this quaint Alaskan town. As if it was her haven from the ugliness of bullets and violence. For the first time since her arrival, Isabelle could envision living out the rest of her days in Owl Creek. She knew instinctively it had a lot to do with her friendship with Connor.
In the cold light of day, she regretted having kissed him, but her feelings were a bit all over the place. Iris had made it clear to her that Connor was an expert at playing the field. Was she just another conquest? On the other hand, the kiss had given her comfort and a sense of security at a time when she’d badly needed it. And it had offered her hope. Maybe she didn’t have to be alone for the rest of her days. But Jonah’s announcement brought her squarely back to earth.
After an hour or so of chatting, Jonah announced that he needed to get going. Isabelle no longer felt surprised by the covert actions of Marshal Kramer. Although his visit had been short, she deeply appreciated the face-to-face drop-in to tell her about the witness’s murder. Isabelle stood by the door and waved as Jonah drove away in a dark sedan. He was gone just as mysteriously as he’d arrived. She couldn’t explain it, but she had the feeling this was the last time she would ever see the U.S. Marshal. Today she felt stronger than she had a few days ago. It was a God moment. All this time she’d been praying for strength, and she finally was feeling empowered.
Even though Jonah had delivered some alarming news it hadn’t shattered her. She was still standing. She was committed to living her life without constantly looking over her shoulder. Although it was a sobering reality that her life would always be in danger, she was finally coming to terms with it. She now knew she could face fear head-on and come out the other side. She could make a life for herself in Alaska. It might not be like the one she’d left behind, but it could be a good existence nevertheless.
Hope. In order to make this work, didn’t she need to have faith in rebuilding her life?
After she closed the door and came inside from the cold, Isabelle went upstairs to get ready for the late morning service. She had so much to be thankful for, and she wanted to worship with the townsfolk in God’s house. Would Connor be in attendance? She was a bit nervous to see him again after the tender kiss they’d shared last night. Isabelle prayed things wouldn’t be awkward between them. After all, they were both adults, right? Surely they could both see that the kiss had been ill-advised and a result of the nerve-racking situation she’d found herself in.
Nothing had changed between them, despite the kiss. It didn’t matter how deeply she yearned to push past friendship with Connor. It simply wasn’t possible.
Chapter Twelve
On Sunday, Connor didn’t have much time to dwell on the situation with Ella. Running into Ella after church service had put things into perspective about his relationship with her. Just because he wasn’t able to pursue a romance with Ella didn’t mean he couldn’t be a good friend and ally. She was a stranger in an unfamiliar town that was full of interesting places to explore. He’d invited Ella to go sightseeing with him, offering himself as her Owl Creek tour guide.
A few hours later he was with Ella, staring up at a sky full of stars set against a velvety backdrop. He knew she’d been wanting to get a glimpse of the town’s legendary owls, so here they were at their final destination after hours of exploring various locations in town.
He was sitting on a snowbank, shoulder to shoulder with Ella. “See that right there?” he asked, pointing up at the inky sky.
Ella let out a gasp. “What is it? I’ve never spotted anything like it before.”
Connor dragged his eyes away from Ella and looked up at the crimson-colored moon. “They call it a super blood wolf moon. It doesn’t come around very often, but when it does, it’s spectacular.”
“It’s stunning. I never even knew it existed.”
Connor turned toward her. “Stick around, kid. Alaska has a lot of hidden treasures. You just have to be open to it.”
Ella nodded her head vigorously. Her enthusiasm was effusive. She almost resembled a wide-eyed kid with her excitement. Her brown eyes shone with wonder.
“It’s funny how the things that are truly wonderful always seem to come out of the blue. Like a double rainbow or a shooting star. Or in this case, a super blood wolf moon.” Her tinkling laughter filled the air. He wanted to hear more of it. The smiles. The joy. The happiness. It only served to enhance her natural beauty.
“Wait till you see the northern lights. Every time I witness them, it makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning,” Connor said.
“Well then, I hope to catch a glimpse one of these days.”
“Oh, you’ll need more than a peek. Hopefully it won’t just be a flash. The best sightings are the ones that stick around for a while.”
They sat for a few moments in companionable silence. It was nice that neither one of them needed to fill up the silence. He could sit like this for hours just gazing up at the heavens. Even the frigid temperatures weren’t a problem right now. All was right in his world.
“Look. It’s a snowy owl!” she cried out, pointing at the bird gracefully flying through the air. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Alaska is really showing off for you tonight. A blood moon and a snowy owl. You’re really getting a show.”
She shook her head, her long strands of hair whirling around her shoulders. “I’m glad you brought me here tonight. It’s perfect.”
As their eyes met, something shimmered and pulsed in the air between them. He reached out and clasped her hand in his, pulling her closer. What he saw glistening in her eyes reflected his own sentiments.
“Ella,” he murmured, dipping his head down toward her. Her eyes fluttered closed, and he knew she anticipated the kiss as he made his move. He pressed his lips against Ella’s. He thought he heard her let out a little sigh of appreciation. He took her face in his hands and tenderly moved his lips over hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
He’d never been one to talk about romantic moments, but this tender interlude was everything. Their first kiss had been a sweet exploration, whereas this one was filled with more emotion. He could feel her heart fluttering inside her chest. It matched the beats of his own. He thought it might burst straight out of his chest. Feeling these emotions was confusing, since he was determined to avoid any romantic entanglements with Ella. At the moment he knew he was playing with fire.
If it was at all possible, Connor would stay here with Ella until the diamond-like stars were erased from the sky. He cared about this woman way more than he wanted to. She’d managed to burrow her way into his heart when he wasn’t looking. And now all he wanted in this world was to
be with her. Every second they shared was sacred to him because, as much as he wished a future with her was possible, it wasn’t when he still couldn’t be sure of what she was hiding.
Connor still wondered what she was running from. What could possibly be so awful that she was determined to keep it under wraps? He winced as his mind began whirling with awful possibilities. Try as he might, Connor couldn’t stop thinking about the terrible price his own family had paid at the hands of a woman who’d harbored devastating secrets. Jane Duncan had stolen his sister due to the fact that she’d been unable to have her own child. It was only on her deathbed that she’d confessed her sins to Sage. His family had never received a word of apology from her for her heinous act. Her actions had wounded all of them in the worst possible way.
There was no way in this world he could allow it to happen to his family again.
* * *
Over the next few weeks, Ella became more entrenched in the vital community of Owl Creek. Joining the choir, making new friends at North Star Chocolates and spending time with Connor helped make her feel as if the small Alaskan town was becoming a home. While it had once been a hideaway, a safe place to live while she was rebuilding her life, now it was so much more. It was a place where she could imagine herself growing old. She was sure of that this morning when she had received an invitation to Piper and Braden’s wedding. She couldn’t stop gazing at the beautiful stationery and thinking how fortunate she was to be invited to the nuptials. Getting the special piece of mail made her grin from ear to ear.
When she gazed at the invitation for the hundredth time she found herself tracing the gold script that spelled out Ella Perez. Tears sprang to her eyes. Would she ever get used to this? Being someone other than her truest self? Sometimes she wanted to scream out that she was Isabelle Sanchez from Miami, Florida. But she couldn’t. Not if she wanted to stay out of Vincent Burke’s reach.
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