Iris leaned in and pressed a kiss on Rachel’s cheek. “Bless your heart. You sure did. My son is blessed to have you. I should scoot and replenish the refreshments. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Isabelle felt thankful for Iris and her chatty ways. Iris’s intel on Connor made her feel grateful that she hadn’t locked lips with Connor the other night. Clearly, he viewed women as conquests. She felt embarrassed that she’d thought Connor was interested in her. According to Iris, he played the field like a champion. She stuffed down the feelings of disappointment. It would have been an impossible situation between them anyway, but it rankled a little bit to realize she wasn’t special in his eyes.
“I wouldn’t quite describe Connor the way Iris did,” Rachel said, interrupting her thoughts. “My mother-in-law is very opinionated, so I wouldn’t take her words to heart. Everyone in Owl Creek adores Connor.”
Clearly, Rachel felt an allegiance to Connor, and she didn’t want Isabelle to think poorly of him. She appeared to be doing a bit of damage control.
Isabelle shrugged. “It’s not my place to judge him. I honestly don’t know him that well.”
“He’s a really good person. I’ve known him my entire life,” Rachel added. An earnest expression was stamped on her face.
She nodded her head but didn’t comment any further. She didn’t want to talk about Connor anymore. Iris had dropped a little bombshell on her. It served as a wake-up call and she was still trying to process what she’d learned. His past really wasn’t her business, although it did give her perspective.
For the remainder of the party Isabelle did her best to mingle and enjoy the festivities. She participated in a variety of games, even managing to win a round of bridal song trivia. Her prize was a large surprise packet that she couldn’t wait to dig into once she got home. It was thrilling, since she never won anything.
Piper made a point to seek her out during the party. Isabelle wasn’t expecting to receive a bear hug from the guest of honor, but it reinforced her feelings about the lively bride-to-be. She was just as sweet and kindhearted as Isabelle had imagined. Slowly but surely Isabelle was becoming a part of things here in Owl Creek. She didn’t feel quite so lonely anymore. Now, when she walked down Main Street, there were friendly faces who called out to her by name. Customers in the shop asked for her when they came through the doors. Although she still looked over her shoulder from time to time, Isabelle felt safe in her small Alaskan haven. She prayed that her identity was never compromised. She didn’t want to be forced to leave town as she’d feared a few days ago.
Fear was still a living, breathing thing inside of her. Would she ever have an aura of peace surrounding her? Or would the past always hang over her head? Isabelle needed to have faith in Jonah and his assurances.
Lord, please give me a spirit of grace and not fear. I’m so tired of looking over my shoulder and wondering if I’m still in danger. Please lift me up so I can see beyond my anxieties. Bless my future and help me banish the past.
As the party began to wind down, Ella left the main tearoom to gather up her belongings in the coatroom. She’d already said her goodbyes to Piper, Iris, Sage and Rachel. Just as she was putting on her coat, Isabelle felt a slight tap on her shoulder. When she turned around, Connor was standing there.
“Hey. Are you heading out?” he asked.
“Yes,” she answered, zipping up her coat before adjusting her hat. “It was a great party, but I’m tired.”
“I barely got to talk to you at all,” he said.
She shifted from one foot to the other. It wasn’t as if she’d been avoiding him, but she hadn’t sought him out either. Truthfully, she felt a little self-conscious around him now, based on the information Iris had shared with her. It was ridiculous on her part, considering Connor could never be anything more than a friend.
“Well, the place was packed. All these people must really love Piper and Braden.”
Connor nodded. “Everyone enjoys a good love story. They were childhood best friends throughout their lives, so it’s all the sweeter that they fell in love.”
It was utterly charming. No wonder they were the town’s sweethearts. It’s what everyone wanted. Marrying your best friend and making a beautiful life together would be a dream come true for most people. A heaviness settled on her chest. Something so wonderful wasn’t destined for her. And it was beginning to weigh on her. Isabelle had always been the little girl dreaming of a big wedding filled with family and friends. Most importantly, she had fantasized about marrying a man who brought her joy.
“I’m so happy for them,” she said, though her voice sounded wooden to her own ears. She hated feeling this way and wondered when she’d return to her usual upbeat and positive vibe.
“I have to get going,” she said, before quickly striding toward the door. She imagined Connor thought her actions were abrupt, but she didn’t stop walking at a fast clip until she reached her truck, which was parked down the street. Along the way she breathed in big gulps of the cold air, all the while reminding herself that this too would pass. Surely better days were coming. Every step on her journey would carry her through the darkness. Isabelle prayed she would be strong enough to see it through.
* * *
Connor had felt a slight chill in the air as he said his goodbyes to Ella—and it had nothing to do with the actual temperature. He wasn’t sure what he’d done, but instinct told him she was annoyed with him. Perhaps he should have made more of an effort to seek her out at the party, but he’d been worried about smothering her. It was fantastic that she’d been welcomed, but now he was scratching his head about what he’d done wrong. It mattered to him what Ella thought about him. He wasn’t the type of man who had ever been overly concerned about the opinion of others, but with this woman everything had been turned upside down.
A half an hour later Connor was helping with the cleanup and still racking his brain to figure out Ella’s frosty demeanor. Earlier, she’d been fine. Perhaps he’d stepped over the line with her in some way that made her uncomfortable.
Sage made a beeline in his direction. “Hey. Have you seen Ella anywhere? I can’t seem to find her.”
“She left a few minutes ago. You just missed her.”
Sage let out a groan. “She left behind her goody bag and the prize package she won. I guess that I could swing by her place tomorrow after Addie’s Gymboree class and give it to her.”
“I can take it to her if you want. She lives a few minutes down the road from me, so it’s not a big deal.”
Sage’s eyes lit up. “Seriously? That would be fantastic. You’re the best, Connor.”
“Of course I am,” he teased. “I’m still waiting for that favorite brother T-shirt.”
Sage put a finger up to her lips. “Shh. We don’t want Braden to hear.” They both laughed as Connor once again marveled at how wonderful it was to have his sister back. He tried not to dwell too much on all the lost years. If he thought about it for too long it always took him to a place of resentment and anger.
As everyone joined in to help clean up, Connor began to second-guess his offer to drop off Ella’s items at her house. Clearly he’d jumped at the opportunity just so he could spend more time with her, even if it was only a few moments. But he wanted to figure out why she’d been acting so cold.
Connor looked at his watch. He wanted to get over to Ella’s house before it got too late. He’d already agreed to help Braden bring some of the gifts over to the new house he’d just built as a wedding surprise for Piper. Once he had done that, he didn’t hesitate to get back on the road.
Connor cranked up the volume on the radio. Somebody was singing a poignant country song about losing the love of his life. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel to the fast tempo. Maybe he should just turn the truck around and go home. Ella seemed to be a private person who might not embrace the idea of him just showi
ng up at her door. His mind kept flitting back to her shuttered expression and closed off body language. Why had he thought that this was a good idea?
He was failing miserably in staying away from Ella. This was a prime example. Connor was going out of his way to be in her presence when he could have left well enough alone. Despite his conflicted feelings about whether Ella was someone he could trust, he liked her. A lot.
Maybe his suspicions about her were nothing more than his own wild imagination. Perhaps he was just used to knowing everything about everyone in his hometown. It wasn’t right to judge her for not being an open book and for appearing frightened. If he made a list of pros versus cons, he was certain the pros would far outweigh the cons.
Or maybe he was simply trying to stuff down his grave reservations. She was beautiful and sweet natured, and he didn’t want to run the risk of letting something wonderful slip through his fingers.
Yet nothing had changed to allow him to feel confident that Ella wasn’t still harboring secrets that might blow up in his face.
Chapter Eleven
Isabelle let out a sigh as she put on a pair of sweats and a comfy top, then settled in with a book of devotionals. It was the perfect way to unwind after a long day. Earlier she had fixed herself a simple meal of pasta and salad for an easy dinner. The bridal shower had been lovely. It had felt good to meet new people and to celebrate Piper and Braden’s upcoming wedding. That’s what life was all about, and once she’d stopped feeling mopey about her situation, she’d been able to truly appreciate the scope of what she’d experienced. Back home her family always celebrated birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and graduations in grand style with Brazilian music and amazing food. She missed those moments so much it left an ache in her soul.
Other than the things she’d learned about Connor, it had been a great day. Despite her best intentions, thoughts of the handsome chocolate heir kept creeping into her thoughts. For a variety of reasons, she didn’t want to like him. But she did.
“Focus on something else,” she said as she turned a page in her book. She began highlighting passages and reciting words out loud.
A whistling sound began to resonate from outside her bedroom window. She sucked in a sharp breath. Perhaps it was just the wind. The strange noises continued, shattering her sense of peace and security. Every creak and groan made her almost jump out of her skin. Was someone out there in the darkness? Her pulse began to race. She raised a hand to her throat. Isabelle felt paralyzed with fear. Her mind began to whirl with all the possibilities.
Marshal Kramer had assured her that she would be safe here in Owl Creek. At the moment she wondered if he’d been mistaken. Had danger followed her to Alaska?
She needed to stay calm. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee. The passage from Isaiah came to mind, encouraging her not to allow anxiety to outweigh reason. In all likelihood there was some reasonable explanation for the creepy sounds.
Just breathe, she told herself. You’re letting your imagination run wild.
Another loud sound echoed in the house, a boom from the rear. Then she heard a shuffling noise that almost sounded like someone was walking up the steps. Isabelle’s first instinct was to hide. If only her brain could convince her body to move. Her mind flashed back to the terrifying night a man had broken into her apartment and tried to harm her so she couldn’t testify in Burke’s trial. That very moment had determined her future in the Witness Protection Program. She had been fortunate to make it out of the situation alive. And now, all these months later she was still in the grip of unrelenting terror.
Even though she’d closed the door on her former life and assumed a new identity to protect herself, Isabelle was still in jeopardy.
* * *
As Connor drove up to Ella’s dimly lit house, he immediately spotted a few lights glowing from inside the home. He wasn’t sure if he should ring the bell or not.
“Just go home,” he muttered. “Maybe she’s made an early night of it.”
He was annoyed at himself because he was acting like an uncertain teenager on his first date. Normally, Connor was pretty composed, and he didn’t waste time second-guessing himself. He was simply doing a favor for a friend. Humph! Who was he kidding? There was absolutely nothing platonic about the way Ella made him feel. She left him breathless.
He couldn’t sit in front of her house all night. Connor let out a frustrated sigh before taking off his seat belt and grabbing the items Sage had given him before exiting his truck.
As he strode to the door he wondered if he could just leave it at her doorstep. With snow expected to fall in a few hours, it probably wouldn’t be wise. Just as he raised his hand to rap on the door a scream rang out from inside Ella’s house. For a moment he wondered if he’d imagined it. Then he heard it again. A loud, panicked scream.
He pounded on the door, calling out to Ella. Connor pushed his shoulder against the doorjamb, hoping he would be able to gain entry. All of a sudden the door gave way and Ella was standing before him. A look of pure terror was etched on her face.
“Connor! I’m so relieved to see you. I heard noises outside. I think someone was outside trying to break into the house.”
Connor could clearly see Ella’s discomfort. He didn’t want to minimize her concerns, but he knew it would be highly unusual for a break-in to happen in Owl Creek. Because his best friend was town sheriff, Connor knew the statistics. It would be as likely as a heat wave in February.
He gently placed his hands on her shoulders. Connor needed her to stay calm and listen to him. “Ella, try not to panic. Stay right here while I look around the perimeter of the house.” She clung to his jacket, slowly nodding her head as she let go of him. Connor headed outside and walked over to his car, fumbling around in the glove compartment for a flashlight. As soon as he located it, he made his way around the outside.
It didn’t take him long to spot the large branches that had fallen on a portion of the roof. They were pretty massive. No doubt the sound of them had been terrifying. He made his way back to the front of the house and went inside. Ella was sitting on the living room couch with wide eyes. He sat down next to her.
“It was two large tree branches that fell on the house. The noises you heard were probably the limbs groaning before it happened. Nothing to worry about. And I didn’t see any damage to the roof, but you’ll be able to get a better look in the morning.”
Ella simply stared at him with her arms wrapped around her middle. Her whole body was trembling.
“I... I thought I was—”
In that moment, Connor saw it all in her eyes. Terror. Someone had wounded this woman. And she was still living in a place of fear. The scars were visible in her actions, even though she tried to hide them. He’d gotten it all wrong. Ella hadn’t done anything wrong in the past. She had been terrorized, to the point where she thought someone was coming after her. In Ella’s mind the sound of tree limbs had transformed into her worst nightmare. And although he didn’t know exactly who or what was scaring her, he knew it was a very real threat in her eyes.
Connor put his arm around her and pulled her against his chest.
“No one is going to hurt you. Not ever. I won’t let them. You’re safe, Ella.” His voice rang out with intensity. A few weeks ago he hadn’t even known this woman, but he knew he would do everything in his power to protect her from harm. From this point forward, he considered it his sacred mission.
She let out a sob, then raised her fisted hand to cover her mouth. He could tell she was trying to rein in her emotions. The sight of her tears threatened to do him in.
He reached out and wiped away her tears with his fingers. “You’re safe with me.”
“Thank you. But it isn’t your job to dry my tears. I’m beginning to feel like a wet blanket.”
Connor shook his head and chuckled. “Okay. No more corny jokes for you.”
“Well, at least I can laugh at myself,” she said, chuckling along with him. “I’m so sorry for being such a mess over a few tree limbs. I can’t imagine Beulah freaking out over something like this.”
“My grandmother is a tough bird, but so are you. There are all kinds of strength in this world. I admire your willingness to pick up stakes and make a new life for yourself in Alaska.”
“Thank you, but Beulah’s in a league of her own. She’s an incredible woman. It’s safe to say I want to be like her when I grow up.” Ella’s voice sounded wistful, and Connor knew she was feeling badly about her reaction to the noises she’d heard. Maybe even a touch embarrassed.
“I think you’re pretty amazing, Ella Perez. Not to mention absolutely beautiful. You don’t need to be anyone other than yourself.”
Ella bowed her head. Her cheeks looked flushed. “You’re being really kind.”
Connor reached out and lifted her chin up so he could look her in the eyes. “I’m being honest. You’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. And you have a lot of strengths.” He ran his fingers over her lips, tracing the shape of them. “I hope I’m not out of line, but I’d like to kiss you. I’ve been wanting to since the first time I saw you.”
Even though Connor still wanted to know Ella’s truths, he couldn’t deny the deep yearning to kiss her and give her comfort. Hopefully, over time, she would confide in him. At the moment, he felt reassured enough to move forward.
As he moved closer, their gazes locked. Ella’s eyes widened imperceptibly. The flecks in her brown eyes resembled embers. He leaned over and placed his lips on hers. A sweet floral scent filled his nostrils, instantly bringing to mind Alaska’s state flower, forget-me-nots. Her lips were soft and inviting. They tasted like cinnamon and sweetness. She kissed him back with equal measure, her lips moving against his with a tenderness that blew him away. He placed his hand on the back of her neck, anchoring her to him as the kiss intensified. In response, Ella placed her hand on his chest. He wondered if she could tell his heart was beating extra fast.
Hiding in Alaska Page 13
