A Match Made in Alaska

by Belle Calhoune

  Everything stilled and hushed for Annie. She had heard every word Declan had uttered about the Prescott family. He was making it crystal clear for her. The feelings of his surrogate family mattered way more than her quest to find her family roots. For Declan, it wasn’t even a close contest. He was striving to keep his beloved family from being hurt, at her expense. A sharp pain sliced her midsection. She wrapped her arms around her middle, wishing she could make these painful feelings disappear.

  “I’ve been through a lot, too. I lost my mother, Grams...and I never had a father,” she said in a dazed voice. How could Declan so easily discount her sorrows?

  “I know you have, Annie. And I can’t tell you how sorry I am about those losses. I’m not telling you what to do—” Declan began.

  “Aren’t you?” she snapped. “How long have I been asking you for your opinion about Gram’s diary? And you’ve been stalling me, no doubt because you didn’t want to have to tell me that you also believe Jasper is my grandfather. Isn’t that right?”

  Declan looked away from her. She let out a harsh laugh and shook her head. All day she had been anticipating this evening, imagining it would turn out to be a very special night for the two of them. And now everything had crumbled into dust.

  “I think you should leave, Declan,” she said in a cold voice that brooked no argument.

  Declan’s eyes flickered with hurt. “Annie! Let’s talk about this.”

  “I’ve heard more than enough! Don’t worry about it. You’ve made yourself quite clear.” Annie marched toward the door and wrenched it open. Declan waited a few beats, then made his way to her side. He reached out and grazed her cheek with his finger. “None of this was meant to hurt you, Annie.” Declan moved toward the threshold and walked into the bitter chill of the Alaskan night. Before she could make a fool of herself and openly sob in front of him, Annie slammed the door behind Declan and crumpled to the floor. Huge sobs racked her body as she chided herself for ever having fallen for Declan O’Rourke.

  Chapter Twelve

  The following day, all Declan could do to avoid wallowing in his misery was to focus on O’Rourke Charters and his clients. Problem was, every time he did so, thoughts of Annie hovered over him like a shroud. He pressed his eyes closed as the painful memories from last night washed over him with the force of a tsunami. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that he had messed up royally. His love and protectiveness for the Prescott family had clashed with his love for Annie.

  Declan was in love with Annie. For the first time in his life, he could say those words with conviction. He loved Annie. Loved. Adored.

  But the events of last night now stood between them. He had been about as subtle as a sledgehammer in his approach. Every single word he had uttered had come out wrong. And the more he opened his mouth, the worse it got. By the time she had asked him to leave, he had been in a state of shock. What in the world had he done?

  He had a life full of all the things a man could ever need. His own business. A home. Loyal friends. All except one thing. He didn’t have Annie. He didn’t have the woman he loved by his side. And it hurt. The pain seared his insides.

  Annie had been absolutely right about being stuck in the past. For so long now, he’d had one foot stuck in the past while trying to move toward his future. Now, because of Annie, he wanted to say goodbye to all those dark memories and embrace the future. Their future. The white picket fence. A home in the woods. Whatever it took to make Annie happy and fulfilled.

  A quick look at his watch confirmed that the town-council meeting was still in session. He needed to be there. But first, he needed to dig into his sock drawer and pull out his mother’s most precious possession. Hopefully by the end of the evening it would be twinkling from Annie’s ring finger.

  The sound of a motorcycle cut into the silence. He let out a groan as he stuffed the ring box into his jacket pocket. Finn always did have bad timing.

  His front door burst open without any warning.

  “Hey!” Declan cried out as his brother crashed into his house. “Knock before you storm in here. Okay?”

  Finn walked right up to him and poked him in the chest. “You need to listen to a few things I have to say.”

  He pushed his finger away. “Finn, I’m on my way out. I have a very serious matter to attend to at the town-council meeting.”

  “I’m not going to let you blow me off.” Finn raked his hand through his tousled mane of brown hair. “I know you need a new plane. I’m offering you an opportunity to let me buy my way into O’Rourke Charters.”

  Declan simply stared at Finn. He was dumbfounded. Had he heard him right? Finn wanted another opportunity to be a part of O’Rourke Charters?

  Finn held up his hands. “I know what you’re going to say. That I never stick around. That I bailed on you the last time. Well, you’re wrong. I actually just bought a little place. A fixer-upper. I’m here to stay, Declan. And I want to partner up with you.”

  A few months ago Declan might have viewed Finn’s proposal as crazy. So much had changed in the last few weeks. He’d lost Lucy. He had been in his first plane crash. And he’d fallen hopelessly in love with Annie Murray. All those things had transformed him. He didn’t want to hold Finn’s past actions against him. Finn was family.

  “Come up with a proposal for me to look at, Finn. And if you’re serious about buying into the company, you’re going to have to secure financing.”

  Finn’s mouth hung open. “You’re okay with this?”

  Declan nodded. “We’ll have to work out the details. As long as your proposal looks good, I’m open to all the possibilities.”

  Finn let out a whoop of excitement and lifted Declan off the ground. “Put me down, Finn. Seriously. I have to be somewhere. It’s urgent.”

  Finn regarded him curiously. “Is there a fire you need to put out or something? You look like you’re about to jump out of your skin.”

  “No,” Declan grunted. “I need to go find the woman I love and tell her that I’m the world’s biggest fool.”

  * * *

  Annie was doing her very best to focus on the town meeting. Much to her dismay, every other second she found herself distracted by thoughts of Declan. At some point she needed to figure out how she was going to get over him. There was no way in the world she intended to pine for a man who stood in the way of her dreams.

  Impossible. How could she convince her heart not to love him? She’d had no control over it in the first place, after all. Her love for him had blossomed without any assistance from her. She let out a sigh. Perhaps it would be best to start dating some men in town. It would serve as a nice diversion. And who knew? Maybe she would fall in love with someone else.

  Tears gathered in her eyes as her heart handily rejected that notion. It was Declan who held her heart in the palm of his hand. And she feared it would always be Declan who made her soul soar.

  The sound of footsteps beside her aisle seat caused her to swing her gaze upward. Declan was standing beside her, staring at her with mournful eyes.

  He looked over at the dais where the town-council members were seated. “Jasper,” he called out. “Our town librarian has something she needs to ask you.”

  “No, I don’t,” Annie said in a loud whisper, shooting Declan her fiercest glare.

  What was Declan doing by showing up here and interrupting the meeting?

  “Now’s your opportunity to say what’s resting on your heart,” he told her in a low voice.

  Of all the nerve! He was now pushing her out on the ledge after he’d told her last night not to pursue the matter.

  Jasper beckoned her to the dais. “Come on. Don’t be shy, Annie. We’re old friends now, right?”

  Dwight slammed his palm down on the dais. “This is yet another example of a complete and utter lack o
f civility and violating the rules of order. I heartily object to these shenanigans.”

  “Sorry, Dwight,” Declan said in a raised voice, “but sometimes there are things that are way more important than being a rule keeper.”

  “Such as?” Dwight asked. “Please enlighten me.” His voice oozed sarcasm.

  “Such as righting a wrong,” Declan said in a tender voice. His eyes flickered with an emotion that caused Annie’s heart to thump wildly. He reached out, grasped her hand in his and tugged until she was standing up. “I was wrong. Stupendously, dreadfully wrong. Asking you not to pursue your family connections here in Love was selfish. I was afraid that you might hurt people I love. But in silencing you, I did the very thing I was trying to avoid. I hurt you. I never want to see that look in your eyes again.”

  “Family connections?” Jasper asked in a thunderous voice. “What in the world are you talking about?”

  “Annie,” Declan said gently. “I think it’s time you spoke your piece. You’ve waited so long for this moment.

  She turned toward Declan, suddenly consumed by doubts. What if she was wrong? What if she made a colossal fool of herself? She had never imagined this scene unfolding in such a public place, with so many eyes trained on her. “I don’t know what to say,” she whispered. Declan squeezed her hand tightly.

  “Speak from your heart.” He winked at her. “You’ve always been good at that.”

  Emboldened by Declan’s support, Annie swung her gaze toward Jasper. “My grandmother was born and raised in this town. Thanks to her stories, I loved this village well before I ever stepped off Declan’s seaplane. Her name was Aurelia Alice Murray.”

  Shocked gasps rang out in the room. Jasper’s blue eyes bulged. He sputtered. “You’re Alice’s kin? Her granddaughter?”

  Annie felt as if someone had taken a great weight off her chest. Keeping this secret hadn’t been easy. “Yes,” she said with a nod. “I am.”

  “Why in the world didn’t you say something when you got here? Alice was a hometown gal. She was a dear friend of mine and of plenty of other folks in this town.”

  Annie turned toward Declan. His eyes radiated encouragement. “You can do this. Live courageously. Remember why you came to Love in the first place.”

  Live courageously. It had been her motto from the very beginning. She needed to live it.

  “Spit it out, Annie. Some of us aren’t getting any younger, in case you hadn’t noticed,” Jasper barked.

  “Speak up!” someone shouted from the crowd.

  Declan stepped forward and stood in front of Annie. “Give her a break. Let her say what she has to say without being badgered or screamed at.”

  Boone sent Declan an approving nod. Declan pulled Annie forward by the wrist and stood beside her, bolstering her by his presence.

  “Gram died last year. One of the reasons I came here was because I grew up hearing all about her beloved hometown.” She struggled to speak past the lump in her throat. “I wanted to fill that void inside me by connecting with the place that shaped her early years. I also wanted to find my grandfather.”

  “Grandfather!” Jasper bellowed. “Who is your grandfather?”

  Feeling brave, Annie took a few steps forward so that she was standing directly in front of Jasper and looking up at him on the dais. Their gazes locked. Confusion swirled in his blue eyes. “I think you are, Mayor Prescott.”

  * * *

  Chaos erupted in the town hall meeting room as soon as Annie dropped her bombshell. Jasper’s mouth gaped. Hazel shot him an incredulous look. Boone frowned. Dwight began coughing uncontrollably.

  Boone folded his arms across his chest. “So, Jasper, care to explain?”

  Jasper rolled his eyes at his grandson. “I’m sorry, young lady, but I’m not your grandfather. I know this for a fact. You see, I met my wife, Harmony, when I was a small boy. I can firmly attest to the fact that love at first sight does exist. It happened to me when I first saw Harmony. And from the time I was fortunate enough to win her love till the day she died, I never looked at another woman. Not a look. Not a held hand. Not a kiss. Nothing.” He spread his hands wide. “So you see, it’s impossible that you belong to me.”

  Tears coursed down Annie’s face. Her shoulders shook with sobs. This had been the very thing she had been so afraid of. Crushed dreams. Disappointment.

  “I just wanted to find my roots so I could be connected with someone here in Love,” Annie sobbed.

  Jasper walked down from the dais and wrapped Annie up in his arms. He patted her back and said in a soothing voice, “Any man would be happy to claim you for a granddaughter. You’re a wonderful young woman, Annie. This town is proud to call you a resident.”

  “Th-thank you, Mayor Prescott,” she said through sniffles. “You’re very kind.

  He tipped her chin up to meet his regard. “What’s with this Mayor Prescott business? We’re old friends now. Call me Jasper.”

  “I wish you were my grandfather.” She whispered the words so softly that she wasn’t certain he even heard her.

  “I may not be your grandfather, but I think I can steer you in the direction of who is,” he said with a broad smile. “And he’s a good, God-fearing man.”

  “Wh-what?” Annie cried. “Really? You know who he is?”

  “He’s right behind you, Annie. And unless I’m mistaken, I think he’s coming to claim you.”

  * * *

  Declan whirled around at the same time as Annie. There wasn’t a single sound in the room. Everyone was watching as Zachariah slowly made his way to the front of the room with the use of his cane. He came to a stop right in front of her. A stunned expression was etched on his face. “At my age, surprises are few and far between. I can’t quite believe this is happening,” he said in an awed voice.

  “Me, neither,” she said, noticing for the first time that Zachariah had kind eyes. “Were you and Gram in love?”

  “Yes, we were, Annie. Very much in love,” he said. He let out a ragged sigh. “But like life often is...it was complicated.”

  “Complicated by what?” Annie asked.

  “Petty jealousies and judgments and immaturity. Not to mention false pride.” A petite woman with silver-gray hair stepped forward from the audience. Annie let out a gasp as the woman came into view. Her resemblance to Gram was startling. They shared the same blue eyes, the same striking hair color and similar features.

  The woman grasped her by the hand. “I knew your grandmother almost as well as I knew myself. My name is Cilla. And Alice was my sister.”

  Sister? Gram had never mentioned a sister! Annie felt as if she’d fallen down the rabbit hole and entered a whole new world.

  Zachariah shook his head. “Your grandmother was my sweetie. I made the fool mistake of breaking up with Alice. I was young and foolish, and I resisted the idea of settling down,” Zachariah said. “When you’re young and immature, sometimes you think sowing your wild oats is of vital importance.” He let out a ragged sigh. “For a time there, Alice kept running after me, trying to convince me to take her back.”

  Cilla made a tutting sound. “Alice was crazy about Zachariah, but she’d also had crushes on several other young men in our circle in the past. Being her older sister, I felt it was my duty to rein her in, since back then it was real easy to have your reputation tarnished. In an effort to dissuade her from making a fool of herself over Zachariah, I said some harsh things to her that I feel incredibly guilty about.” Cilla bowed her head. “In my heart, I was trying to protect Alice, but she didn’t see it that way. When she left Alaska, Alice made it pretty clear she wanted nothing to do with any of us.”

  “And you never heard from her again?” Annie asked. As loving as Gram had always been, she couldn’t imagine that a rift could have kept her from her family for so many years.

 
; Cilla dabbed tears away from her eyes. “There were a few postcards and letters over the years. And a few baby pictures of your mother. But we were led to believe she had gotten married to someone in New Hampshire. You have to remember, Annie, that having a child out of wedlock during that time would have been considered quite scandalous. She kept that secret all those years. And kept away from Love in the process.”

  “I give you my word, Annie,” Zachariah said in a raspy voice. “I never knew Alice was pregnant when she left Alaska. She led me to believe that she was leaving to marry a pen pal she had been corresponding with. I was sad about it, but considering the way I had treated her, I had no right to stop her.”

  Eli walked up and grabbed Cilla’s hand. “In the end, Zachariah never did marry. He’s been an eternal bachelor all of these years.”

  Annie looked over at Zachariah. “Would you have married Gram if she had stayed here?”

  “I’d like to say yes to that question, but my whole life, I’ve had trouble wrapping my head around the idea of settling down. Who’s to say what might have happened?” he said, his eyes blinking like an owl’s.

  “Do you think you have room in your life for a granddaughter?” she asked.

  Zachariah’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Annie. You have no idea how much room is in this old heart of mine.”

  Annie reached out and hugged Zachariah as the townsfolk broke into applause. Tears were streaming down her face, and she whispered, “Thank you for making my dream come true, Zachariah. I’ve always wanted a grandpa.”

  “Please call me Grampy. It would mean the world to me.”

  “Okay, Grampy,” Annie said, nestling herself against his chest. Her heart swelled with joy at the notion that she did have a family here in Love. Not only a grandfather, but Aunt Cilla and Uncle Eli. And, she hoped, a cousin or two.

  As the meeting was adjourned due to special circumstances, Annie found herself being led to the main hall by Declan. He pulled her behind a tall white column and pressed a dizzying kiss against her lips.