“Good morning, my dear. How was your breakfast with the boys?” Beulah’s voice rang out as he walked toward the executive offices. When he turned around, his grandmother was walking toward him with the vigor of someone half her age. As always, Beulah North was dressed in a suit jacket and matching skirt, with her signature pearls draped around her neck. She believed in dressing to impress as the CEO of the North Star Chocolate Company.
Connor pressed a kiss on her cheek after she caught up to him. “Morning. It was delicious. And I just met our new hire at the diner.”
“Which one? We’ve hired several in the past few weeks.”
“Ella Perez,” he said.
“Oh, yes. She starts tomorrow at the chocolate shop. I’m going to be there to greet her in the morning. What was your impression? Her résumé and telephone interview were impressive.”
Connor hesitated a moment before speaking. He didn’t want Beulah to think he was being hard on their new hire. “Are you sure she’s right for the job? There was something about her that didn’t really gel with Owl Creek or the manager position.”
Beulah frowned at him. “Whatever do you mean?”
Connor shrugged. “I don’t know. She fumbled a bit when we were talking. I’m not sure how to explain it without sounding paranoid, but I just got the feeling she wasn’t being fully transparent. It was like she was hiding something.”
Beulah stared at him without speaking. Her eyes began to blink like an owl, which served as a sure sign that his grandmother was gathering her words. “You’ve just met her, Connor. Why don’t you extend her a measure of grace rather than being suspicious?” She reached out and touched his cheek. “You have to stop focusing on the worst parts of humanity, especially since there are so many good people in the world. What happened to our family all those years ago was horrific, but God brought our sweet girl home so we could heal. I’m worried you’re still stuck in the past, Connor.”
His grandmother’s words served as a punch to his gut. He hated the notion that he was stuck in the past, especially since everyone else seemed to be doing fine. Connor had tried to find closure with Sage’s return to Owl Creek, but he still harbored feelings of resentment for all the years that had been stolen from them.
“I’ll try to do better,” he vowed, wishing the words resonated more within him. He felt a sense of powerlessness. Connor knew he hadn’t been able to conquer this issue no matter how hard he’d tried. But he couldn’t admit that to his grandmother. She was counting on him to be the future of the chocolate company.
“That’s all I’ll ever ask of you,” Beulah said, tears pooling in her eyes. “I count on you more than you realize. You’re my North Star. No pun intended,” she said, letting out a cackle. The corners of her eyes crinkled up.
Leave it to Beulah to make him laugh when two seconds ago he’d been feeling badly about himself. She was an incredible woman. He wished that he could be as resilient as Beulah. She was the strongest member of their family.
Connor looked at his watch. “I’m going to get prepped for our meeting with the distributors.”
“Good idea. I’ll see you in the conference room. I can’t wait to taste the new white chocolate hot cocoa.” Beulah rubbed her hands together and grinned. As the driving force behind the company, she still felt enthusiastic about her work. It was one of the main reasons for the success of North Star Chocolates. Passion combined with heartfelt dedication.
“I think we might have another hit on our hands,” Connor drawled, feeling proud of the collaboration between himself, Sage and Braden. Creating new products was one of the best aspects of his job. Working with his siblings on this special project had been so much fun, particularly since it rarely happened. It had almost made up for the fact that Braden wouldn’t be working alongside him at the company. It was reassuring to know their bond was still tight.
Connor made his way to his office. Just looking around the room made him grin. He’d decorated it with a fun vibe in mind. Since he spent so much time at work, he’d wanted it to be comfortable yet functional. The bubble gum machine served as a colorful reminder that he was still a kid at heart.
Connor sat down at his desk and logged on to his computer. Even though he was trying to focus on the upcoming meeting, thoughts of the mysterious newcomer refused to completely fade away. There was something about her that caused curiosity to well up inside him. Although he knew his grandmother had given him sound advice, he couldn’t stop wondering about Ella Perez.
He imagined she knew very little about Alaskan living. He had only been to Arizona a few times on business, but it was clear to him how vastly different it was from Owl Creek. He couldn’t imagine it would be easy for Ella to get her bearings while navigating a new job. She didn’t know a soul here in town and she’d probably left family and friends behind in Arizona. As a hometown boy, Connor had only left Owl Creek in order to attend college in Anchorage. Unlike Ella, he’d only been a short flight away from home and his loved ones.
A feeling of shame seized him. Instead of harboring suspicions about Ella, he should be wholeheartedly welcoming her to the North Star Chocolate fold. He should be trying to help her get acclimated. In a perfect world he would be more like his grandmother. He let out a ragged sigh. The truth nagged at him. He hadn’t healed from his family’s trauma, and he wasn’t sure he ever would.
* * *
Isabelle let out a huge sigh of relief as she turned off Route 65. She had driven by the turnoff several times without realizing she should have taken the right turn rather than continuing straight ahead. Seeing a Moose Crossing sign a few miles back had caused her adrenaline to race. She had immediately slowed down to five miles an hour out of an abundance of caution. Thankfully her new home wasn’t too far from town. If she hadn’t gotten confused with the GPS directions, it would have only been a ten-minute ride. At least she didn’t have to travel too far to reach her place of employment.
When she pulled up to 10 Kodiak Lane, she felt a huge sense of relief at being safely home.
Home. She felt a little hitch in her heart at the notion that this quaint little abode now belonged to her. Once she made her way inside the house, Isabelle sank down onto the sofa and pressed her eyes shut. Her temple was pounding with a tension headache. Everything was beginning to weigh her down. Tomorrow was her niece’s second birthday, and she’d be missing the special celebration. It was breaking Isabelle’s heart knowing she would miss all of Celia’s birthdays and special occasions from this point forward. Celia would grow up without knowing Isabelle. Her sister, Denise, was her best friend and closest confidante. Who would she go to the movies with? Who would wish her a happy birthday? Or cheer for her when she experienced a triumph?
Tears slid down her face as a feeling of hopelessness swept over her. In the morning she would have to report to work at the North Star Chocolate Shop and put on a brave face. It would be a huge step in the development of her new identity. But she didn’t feel courageous or strong in the slightest bit. Isabelle felt as if she might crack into a million little pieces at any given moment. And sadly, if she did, there wouldn’t be anyone who cared enough about her to pick up the pieces.
Chapter Three
Morning came well before Isabelle was ready to leave the coziness of her down comforter and heated blanket. She let out a groan as her alarm blared, putting an end to her peaceful slumber. She’d been a little chilly last night and she’d rummaged around in the hall closet looking for bedding since she couldn’t locate the thermostat in the furnished rental. Her footed pajamas, along with the comfy blankets, made her feel as if she was snuggled in a cocoon and she was reluctant to get up.
After dragging herself out of bed, Isabelle fixed herself some oatmeal and coffee before heading back upstairs to wash up and get dressed. She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. She’d pulled her long black hair back into a ponytail. She was only wearing a light d
usting of concealer and mascara. In her black sweater and matching slacks, she looked competent and professional. Isabelle took a deep breath and began to recite her daily mantra.
“You cannot go home. You cannot contact anyone from your former life. Don’t do anything to raise suspicions. If you follow the rules, you’ll be safe.”
Just saying the words out loud felt surreal. She felt like one of those hapless women from a TV movie. How on earth had her life spiraled out of control so quickly? The last few months had been a living nightmare with each day bleaker than the last. It had been bad enough to witness a brutal crime, but things had taken a turn for the worse once the authorities asked her to provide testimony against Burke, who’d put a hit out on her. Several harrowing attempts had been made on her life. Although each one had been unsuccessful, the fear escalated with each attempt.
She shook her head, willing herself not to go down this road. Today was her first workday in Owl Creek. A rush of adrenaline raced through her. It reminded her of the way she’d felt on the first day of school—nervous mixed with excited. In order to maintain her sanity, she needed to embrace everything Owl Creek had to offer. Moping around wouldn’t serve any purpose other than to dampen her spirits even further. She needed to stay hopeful and grounded in her new reality. Her life wasn’t over, even though it sometimes felt like it. Maybe she would fall in love with her managerial position at the chocolate shop. Perhaps Owl Creek would be an answer to all of her most fervent prayers. She yearned to feel safe, despite the fact that she’d had to move so far away from home and sever all ties with her former life in order to make it happen. Suddenly, she was second-guessing herself. Had she made the right choice in entering WITSEC? Maybe she’d allowed fear to guide her decision.
Lord, please help me to have a positive outlook as I take these first few steps in Owl Creek. I’m so frightened, and I feel so alone. I’ve never been without my family. Help me navigate my way through the darkness.
As she drove toward town, Isabelle made sure she traversed the roads carefully. Driving over snow-packed roads wasn’t for the faint of heart as she was beginning to realize from firsthand experience. She gripped the steering wheel tightly as the tires slid over an icy patch. Her nerves were on edge.
You can do this. Her mother’s voice buzzed in her ear, enveloping her like a warm embrace. Isabelle missed her more than she could ever express in words. Though the Sanchez family had never had much in the way of material things, Mama had always given her children wings and allowed them to soar. The thought of never seeing Mama again or hearing the lilting tone of her voice gutted her. Hot tears pooled in her eyes.
Do not cry! she urged herself. Today was not the day to break down. She needed to establish herself in this town and get her bearings in her place of employment. Despite her stomach being tied up in knots, Isabelle had to project an air of composure. It was going to be way harder than she had ever imagined. This was where her faith would be more important to her than ever.
“‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,’” Isabelle said, reciting the verse from Philippians as a calming mechanism. She often drew from Bible passages in troubled times. This one was no different.
By the time the shops on Main Street came into view, she had managed to collect herself. The white chalet-style shop looked even more charming this morning. She pulled into the back lot as she’d been instructed and parked. Walking inside the North Star Chocolate Shop felt like stepping into a whole new world. The interior was done in shades of gold and cream with splashes of brown and pink. A small chandelier hung above a display case that was a chocolate lover’s dream. The aroma filled her nostrils, and she felt a heady sensation to be surrounded by so much chocolate.
“Good morning. You must be Ella!” A very distinguished-looking woman greeted her from behind the counter. With her jet-black hair streaked with silver and a widow’s peak, the woman had a striking appearance. “I’m Beulah North,” she said, sticking out her hand in greeting as she moved toward Isabelle.
Isabelle reached out and shook hands with her new boss. “Yes, I’m Ella Perez. It’s great to meet you in person, Mrs. North, after all of our phone conversations.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you face-to-face. You’re lovely,” Beulah crowed. “We’re mighty pleased to have you here in Owl Creek. Welcome to the North Star Chocolate family. And I’ll be offended if you don’t call me Beulah.”
Something about this dazzling woman made her smile. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she just knew they were going to be fast friends. “I’m happy to be here, Beulah.”
“This is my granddaughter, Sage Crawford,” Beulah said, turning toward the younger woman by her side.
Sage was beautiful in a girl-next-door kind of way. She radiated happiness. Sage smiled at Isabelle, and said, “Hi, Ella. We’re so happy you’ll be working with us. I just know you’re going to love being here.”
Isabelle waved her hand around the area. “What’s not to love? This place is fantastic. Every chocolate lover’s dream. If the chocolate is even half as good as it smells, I’ll be delighted.”
“Oh, our chocolate is divine,” Beulah crowed. “I’ll make sure to give you plenty of samples to take home with you tonight. Then you can tell us your favorites.”
“That sounds like a great homework assignment,” Isabelle said, garnering laughter from Sage and Beulah.
“Why don’t we give you the grand tour?” Sage suggested. Isabelle nodded, then followed behind the women as they led her around. Although she had worked in retail spaces before such as coffeehouses, clothing shops and bookstores, Isabelle had never been employed by a company the caliber of North Star Chocolate. Everywhere she looked were examples of excellence. Awards of distinction were framed on the wall. The display cases were filled with so many assortments of chocolates—Belgian chocolates, pecan clusters, chocolate-covered raisins, truffles, nonpareils and so many more, many of which she’d never heard of before.
Although her head was spinning with all the details, she was beginning to feel enthused about working at the chocolate shop. She knew she had a lot to learn about the company, and as manager, she would be in charge of the store as well as its employees. Once Sage and Beulah finished showing her around and introduced her to the employees, they sat down in the café portion of the shop and enjoyed cups of North Star’s signature hot chocolate.
“You weren’t exaggerating when you raved about the hot cocoa,” Isabelle said after taking several sips of the delicious treat.
“Thank you. I’d tell you the secret ingredient but it’s a North family secret,” Beulah said, winking at her. Her eyes twinkled with delight. Isabelle had the feeling Beulah North was a unique individual with many different facets to her.
Isabelle chuckled. “I don’t blame you one bit. The recipe is pure gold.”
“Speaking of family, what does yours think about this move to Alaska?” Sage asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.
Isabelle’s mind went blank. What could she say? That her family was devastated by her decision to enter WITSEC? Should she explain that the minimal risks to her family members’ lives hadn’t justified their participation in the program?
“I don’t have much family to speak of,” she answered. She felt awful for denying the existence of her large, bustling family, but it would be better in the long run so it wouldn’t look strange not to mention them. Cutting her family out of her past, present and future was her new reality.
Beulah made a tutting sound. “I’m sorry to hear that, but in a town like Owl Creek, it won’t be long before you’ll be considered as one of our own.”
Sage flashed a wide grin. “I can attest to that!”
“Well, I hate to drink and run, but I need to head over to the factory for a meeting. Sage will stay with you and show you the ropes,” Beulah explained. “We’ll have to get you over there one day
this week. I’d love for you to meet the team and see how the chocolate is created and assembled. Even after all these years I find it fascinating.”
Isabelle didn’t dare tell Beulah that she’d already met her grandson. She still felt mortified about being responsible for Connor’s fall. The very last thing she wanted to do was cause Beulah to think badly of her. Maybe in the future she would look back on the incident and find it hysterically funny, but at the moment it was humiliating.
Way to make a wonderful first impression on her boss’s family, she scolded herself. She wouldn’t blame Connor if he was questioning why Beulah had hired her in the first place. Although he’d treated her with an abundance of kindness yesterday, Isabelle knew he had just been doing his job as the company’s ambassador.
A man like Connor North had the world in the palm of his hand. He was good-looking, charming and one of the heirs to a chocolate empire. She imagined he had his fair share of admirers. He was what her mother called a catch. If the situation was different, Isabelle wouldn’t mind getting to know him better. But it simply wasn’t possible. Any type of relationship—whether a casual flirtation or something more meaningful—was off the table. It wouldn’t be fair to get close to someone and have to lie to them about the most important parts of herself.
According to the rules of WITSEC, she could never divulge her former identity to anyone, not even her future spouse. As a result, Isabelle knew she would never settle down or have children. It was hard enough having to live a life filled with so many fabrications, but she refused to drag anyone else into the mess. She’d grown up watching her parents enjoy a marriage based on mutual trust and admiration. They were best friends and partners who finished each other’s sentences. And she couldn’t imagine either one harboring secrets from the other. To this day they were completely in love with each other. They even had weekly date nights that they never missed. Ana and Rio Sanchez were her romantic ideals.
Hiding in Alaska Page 3
