His Secret Alaskan Heiress

by Belle Calhoune

  Sophie glanced over at Noah and sent him a little wave. He smiled and nodded at her.

  “It seems I’m not the only one looking for love, am I?” Dwight said.

  Noah swung his gaze toward him, and found his eyes alight with interest. He had clearly seen Noah staring at Sophie.

  Noah shrugged. He wasn’t going to deny his interest in her. “I haven’t been very successful in the love department, Dwight.”

  Dwight couldn’t contain his surprise. “I would have thought you’d be like catnip for the ladies. Pardon the expression, but you have it all. Good looks. Charm. A nice physique. And in addition to all that, you’re a good guy. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me. You must really have it bad for Sophie if you agreed to spend your evening tutoring me.”

  Noah sighed. Dwight had hit the nail right on the head. He had it bad for Sophie. They had almost kissed earlier. Although the situation was complicated, Noah knew his feelings for her were the real deal. They continued to grow despite his attempts to stuff them down into a dark hole.

  He was sick to death of trying so hard not to like someone. Noah liked Sophie. A lot.

  “Since coming to Love I’ve learned to be a little more hopeful,” Noah said. “I don’t know if love is in my future, but I’m a little more open to it these days.”

  He pushed his chair away from the table and stood up. He’d put this off for way too long. It was time to contact Sussex and hash some things out.

  “See you around, Dwight.”

  The man stuck out his hand and Noah reached for it. “May we both find what we’re looking for,” Dwight said with conviction.

  “From your lips to God’s ears,” Noah said as he cast one last look in Sophie’s direction before beating a fast path out of the Moose Café.

  As he walked out into the frosty night, Noah knew he’d come to a crossroads. Talking to Dwight had been more than a thankless task. Somewhere during their discussion Noah had realized the two of them weren’t all that different. He also wanted love in his life. For some time now he’d wanted to change his romantic situation. He had begun to yearn for the things his parents had—a home, security, a partner to have and to hold. And then he had arrived in Love, and despite his initial fears about Sophie, she had nestled her way into his heart.

  A heavy weight was sitting on his chest. He felt a little bit breathless. At the present moment he was existing in two different worlds. In one he was working undercover for a client he wasn’t quite certain had told him the truth. But his entire life in Seattle depended on Sussex’s paycheck. In the other he had found a wonderful Alaskan hamlet with people who trusted and believed in him, even though he was lying to their faces.

  And he had found Sophie, a woman who made him feel as if he could accomplish anything he set his mind to if he believed in it hard enough.

  Chapter Nine

  The day of the Founder’s Day celebration had dawned. Sophie had arisen earlier than usual, eager to greet this new day. Grace had come over to help her with her hair and makeup, neither of which were areas of expertise for Sophie. Baby Eva was sleeping comfortably in her carrier nearby, completely oblivious to their chatter. As soon as Grace arrived the conversation had quickly turned to Noah.

  “This Noah Callahan must be pretty special,” Grace noted. “I haven’t seen you this excited since we arrived here in town.”

  Sophie nodded. “I’ve gone on plenty of first dates in my life,” Sophie acknowledged. “But to be honest, I’m not sure this is anything more than two friends attending an event together. We’ve developed quite a rapport. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. But I don’t think he wants to be more than friends.”

  Suddenly, Sophie felt bashful. It was so hard to describe her feelings for Noah. Things had shifted between them after the Taste of Love event. They’d bonded. It had given Sophie the courage to ask Noah to be her date to the Founder’s Day festivities.

  Sophie didn’t want to label what she was feeling for Noah, but it thrilled and terrified her at the same time.

  Experiencing sparks with Noah felt wonderful, but constantly feeling as if she was sitting on a powder keg was uncomfortable. And it was scary to admit she might be the only one of them who felt an attraction. So far, she had no reason to think Noah viewed her as anything other than a buddy.

  “So are the two of you an item or not?” Grace asked. “You still haven’t given me a straight answer.”

  Sophie bit her lip. “I think he just wants to be friends.”

  Grace grinned. “Sometimes friendship can be a great foundation for romance.”

  Grace and Sophie locked gazes. They smiled at each other. They had arrived in Love on the same seaplane a little over a year ago. During the plane ride their friendship had been cemented when Sophie had held Grace’s hand due to her fear of flying. They’d been as thick as thieves ever since. Her best friend was at the top of her list of things she was thankful for.

  “What time is he coming to pick you up?” Grace asked, bending down to move her sleeping daughter’s carrier a few feet away.

  “I told him to come at five o’clock. My pulse is racing so fast I feel like a high-speed train.” Sophie began to fan herself with her hand. When had her nerves crept in? Suddenly she felt as awkward as a teenager on her first date. Her heart sank. This wasn’t really an actual date.

  “Don’t be nervous, Sophie. Try to breathe. Just be yourself,” Grace urged. Her blue eyes radiated positivity.

  It was somewhat ironic for Grace to utter those exact words. Just be yourself. Grace was the only one here in Love who knew Sophie’s true identity. And although she didn’t like keeping secrets from Boone, she had agreed not to tell anyone. Grace firmly believed that it wasn’t her story to tell, even though she was a journalist always in search of a juicy tale.

  “Being in Alaska has allowed me to be my truest self,” Sophie said. “I’ve never felt more right within my soul than in the past year.”

  Her friend smiled. “That’s what matters most.”

  “I still miss my father, but the life I was living in New York was slowly chipping away at me. And I know being at odds with my family isn’t right, but I still haven’t figured out how to mend those fences. I love my life here in Alaska and I don’t want any interference with what I’ve built here.”

  Sophie bit her lip. “I feel as if I’m at a crossroads. I worry about starting something with Noah and then having to tell him the truth about being the Java Giant heiress. He might consider it a huge lie. Let’s face it. A small-town cook might be affected by news of that variety.” Sophie could hear the agony in her voice. The situation was fraught with tension.

  “At some point you have to come to terms with all of that, but not tonight,” Grace said in a brisk voice. “Right now you’re about to get dolled up. Nothing too glamorous, mind you. We wouldn’t want to send shock waves through town, would we?”

  Sophie and Grace both chuckled. Love, Alaska, was a wonderful and quaint hamlet, but the townsfolk tended to be old-fashioned and sensible, rather than showy and over-the-top. Sophie wouldn’t have it any other way. She liked the town’s humble vibe. It was a far cry from debutante balls and galas in New York City.

  Grace began to work on Sophie’s hair, wielding the flatiron like a pro. When she handed her the mirror to see her reflection, Sophie let out a gasp. Grace had managed to create an elegant hairdo, with some of her long hair hanging down, and the rest swept up in a twist. Her makeup was very natural and subtle.

  “Gracie, it’s perfect. I look...amazing.” She turned toward her best friend. “Can I say that without sounding conceited?”

  Grace leaned down and hugged her. “Of course you can. And you’re the least arrogant person I’ve ever known. You’re gorgeous, Sophie. Inside and out.”

  “I’m very thankfu
l for your friendship and wise counsel, Gracie. God sure had a hand in our friendship by putting us on the same seaplane.”

  “He sure did. I’m going to scoot before Eva wakes up and wants to be held or fed. I’ll see you later on at the festivities.” Grace peered into the carrier and let out a sigh. Baby Eva was still sleeping as quietly as could be.

  Sophie walked them to the door and embraced her friend before parting. Grace shook her finger at her. “Remember, Sophie. You’re more than enough just as you are. And anyone who doesn’t realize it is plumb crazy.”

  Sophie went into her bedroom and dissected everything in her closet. She still hadn’t decided on an outfit to wear tonight. After much deliberation, she chose a pretty sweater dress the color of oatmeal. She paired it up with dark leggings and her warm, fuzzy Lovely Boots. She looked comfortable and fashionable without appearing as if she’d tried too hard.

  At ten minutes to five, Sophie heard a knock. She strode toward her door to open it for Noah. He was standing there looking more gorgeous than a person had a right to be, in a black winter coat with a dark pair of jeans. A nice red scarf hung around his neck, lending him a festive air.

  “I know I’m early,” he told her with a grin. “I made sure I gave myself extra time in case I got lost.” He held out a bouquet of flowers for her. Sophie let out a gasp. She waved him inside her cabin.

  “These are stunning. Peonies and baby’s breath. How did you know these are my favorite?”

  Noah smiled, appearing pleased with himself. “I asked Hazel. She was only too happy to point me in the right direction. If I’m not mistaken I think she fancies herself as a matchmaker.”

  Sophie shook her head. “I promise you I’m not encouraging her.” She went to find a vase, which she filled with water. “Now that she’s about to walk down the aisle, Hazel feels it’s her duty to see that everyone is paired up.”

  “Well, they don’t call it Operation Love for nothing,” Noah drawled. He looked around the cabin. “I like what you’ve done to the place. All the colors are very cheerful.”

  “When I first moved it, the atmosphere was on the drab side,” Sophie said as she arranged the flowers in the vase. “And that’s an understatement. Everything was blah and brown. So I asked Hazel if I could paint the walls eggshell and she agreed. Then I just kept adding pieces with lots of color—reds, purples, oranges, deep blues. I made it my own.” Sophie felt a burst of pride as she surveyed the living area. “It made a world of difference.”

  “It’s a lot like you,” Noah said. “Bright, sunny and a little bit bold.”

  A girl could really get used to Noah’s flattering words, Sophie realized. “If you don’t stop giving me compliments I’m not going to be able to fit my head through that door,” she teased. “We should be leaving soon for the festivities.”

  “I’m raring to go. I’ve never been to a Founder’s Day celebration before.”

  Sophie winked at him. “Well, then, you have no idea how much fun awaits you.”

  “Shall we?” Noah asked, holding out his elbow for her.

  She grabbed her coat and pulled it on, then gently placed a hat on before looping her arm through Noah’s. After all the work Grace had done on her hair, Sophie had no intention of messing it up. Since the majority of events were being held outside, bundling up was crucial. Sophie didn’t relish turning into a Popsicle. She took a deep, fortifying breath. Her emotions were all over the place. It felt so nice to be walking arm in arm with Noah. When they reached his car he pulled open the door for her, then waited for her to get situated before he closed it.

  You can’t train someone to be a gentleman. Her father’s voice buzzed in her ear. It was one of his favorite sayings. Roger Mattson was a big believer in courtly gestures and men acting like gentlemen. She liked to think he would approve of Noah, although she wasn’t certain he would appreciate her dating a cook. Although he’d hailed from humble origins himself, her father had become a bit of a snob when it came down to her potential suitors. That’s why he’d been so ecstatic about her relationship with his protégé, John.

  Sophie and Noah’s arrival at the celebration was met with stares and whispers. Sophie knew the townsfolk were brimming with curiosity about him. Noah was new in town and a bit mysterious, according to some of the residents. Sophie had heard snippets of gossip about him, most of which made her giggle and shake her head. Now that they’d shown up together, she knew their names would be linked for weeks and months to come. She prayed it wouldn’t bother Noah too much.

  She knew from the life she’d led in New York City that being the subject of gossip wasn’t always fun. Thankfully, here in Love it wasn’t mean-spirited or vicious.

  “I think we’re on the tip of everyone’s tongues,” Sophie said in a loud whisper. “Everyone is staring and flapping their gums.”

  “Doesn’t bother me a bit. They’re just staring because we’re the best-looking pair here,” Noah teased. Sophie liked the way his blue eyes twinkled, and there were little laugh lines at the corners of his eyes as he began to preen.

  Sophie burst out laughing. “I like your confidence.”

  He winked at her. “Never let ’em see you sweat.” Noah leaned close and whispered, “Matter of fact, we could really put a show on for them if you want.” He reached for her hand and raised it to his lips, pressing a kiss on it. Out of the corner of her eye Sophie could see some of the townsfolk pointing and saying her name in loud whispers. Deciding to play along, she batted her lashes in an exaggerated way and ducked her head.

  “Let’s move along before I break character and burst out laughing,” she finally said, trying to suppress a giggle.

  “Where to? I smell something amazing.” He rubbed his stomach. “It would be nice to eat someone else’s food for a change.”

  “Why don’t we go grab something? I know this year’s theme is clambake, so if you enjoy lobster, crab and other shellfish, you’re going to be a happy camper. It’s all included in the price of the tickets we purchased when we arrived.”

  As they made their way toward the food, Sophie and Noah stopped a few times to speak with people who crossed their path. It was amazing how in a year’s time she had come to know almost an entire town. Most of them she considered friends.

  Each and every time they met someone, Noah gave a hearty, warm greeting. It made Sophie feel all warm and fuzzy inside to see him so well connected to the community.

  “You’ve really come out of your shell,” she noted as they continued walking.

  “I had a shell?” Noah asked, a dumbfounded expression on his face.

  Sophie tried not to laugh. “Yes, you did. You were a little closed off and slightly cranky. But once you got into a groove you began to open up. I’m sure glad you did, and so are all the customers. They really love you coming out to the dining area to meet them, in case you didn’t know. You’re becoming a regular culinary rock star here.”

  Noah let out a low whistle. “A culinary rock star. That’s high praise, Sophie.” He bent over and bowed to her with a flourish. “Thank you kindly. My parents would be very proud.” He made a face. “Cooking is a big deal in my family. They wanted me to stay in Homer and help run the restaurant.”

  “And you didn’t want to do that?” Sophie asked. She could relate to Noah’s dilemma. It was always a hard choice which road to take. Granted, her circumstances had been different, but the dilemma had been the same—stay or go.

  “Pardon the pun, but there were too many cooks in the kitchen. I respect my parents for what they built and for all their hard work, but I wanted something of my own. Something I created from the ground up. I think being the youngest of five boys made me feel as if I always had something to prove. I guess you could call it ambition.”

  Sophie admired Noah for his pluck and grit. She knew firsthand how difficult it was to break away from f
amily expectations. Noah could have walked right into a position at an established family business, yet he’d chosen to forge his own path. Truthfully, it didn’t surprise her one bit. Noah had character. And even though he was a cook at the Moose Café, who knew where his career might take him? She believed in him. One day Noah might open his own restaurant. Knowing he wasn’t taking the easy road made her feel so proud of him.

  Ruby and her husband, Liam, approached them from the opposite direction as they walked with their five-year-old son, Aidan. As far as Sophie was concerned, all kids should be as adorable as Aidan. With his curly dark hair and warm brown skin, he was a perfect blend of his parents. Sophie quickly made the introductions. Liam and Noah shook hands, while Ruby gave Noah a welcoming hug.

  “Guess what I just did?” Aidan asked, jumping up and down with excitement.

  Sophie bent down and kissed his cheek. “I don’t know, buddy. Why don’t you tell me?” Aidan was Sophie’s little pal. He came into the café at least once a week, sometimes twice. He ordered so many reindeer burgers that Sophie had a running joke with him about turning into one.

  “I got to pet a Siberian husky dog,” Aidan said, his face lit up with joy. “They’re the dogs who run in the Iditarod races.”

  Noah high-fived the boy. “Whoa. That’s pretty cool. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”

  “We might be getting one,” Aidan said, his voice full of unbridled enthusiasm. “My mom trains search-and-rescue dogs.”

  “That’s impressive,” Noah said, nodding at Ruby. “Those dogs are mighty heroic, and from what I understand, essential to rescue missions.”

  “They’re invaluable,” Ruby concurred. “I’m just in the beginning stages, really. I used to be part of an emergency response team.” She looked over at Liam and smiled. “But I had an accident and retired from the job. I’m passionate about search-and-rescue, however, so I’m devoting myself to this endeavor and hoping to make a difference.”

  Sophie felt so many emotions as she gazed at this beautiful family. They had been through so much, and yet here they stood, happy, healthy and united. God had blessed them in so many ways.