A Match Made in Alaska

by Belle Calhoune

  She watched as he threw up his hands and chuckled. “Ladies. Ladies. There’s enough of me to go around.”

  Annie rolled her eyes. He was clearly relishing all the attention. She watched on the sidelines as Declan was swept up by a whole new crowd of well-wishers. An older woman wearing a magenta ensemble handed him a teddy bear, and a teenager enthusiastically high-fived him. Although the sight was beautiful to witness, it left her feeling a tad homesick. She had come here to establish a sense of community, but at the moment, she was a stranger. It was a foreign feeling to her and one she didn’t enjoy. Her heart sank—until she saw a beautiful sign bearing her name. It read Welcome to Love, Annie. It was feminine and delicate with lots of swirls and flowers and several shades of purple. Declan waved her over and pointed enthusiastically at the sign.

  She nodded with approval, smiling at the dark-haired little boy who was holding it up. Annie bent down so that she was on eye level with the cutie-pie. “I really love it.” The boy grinned then bowed his head.

  “Thanks, Aidan,” Declan said, tousling the child’s curly hair. The little boy ran off into the crowd.

  “Declan O’Rourke!” a raspy voice boomed. Annie felt goose bumps on her arms as a silver-haired older man came into view. “I already had one heart attack. Are you trying to give me another one?” he asked.

  “Jasper! Did you miss me?” Declan greeted him with wide-open arms. Annie had sensed before Declan even stated the gentleman’s name that she was in the presence of Jasper Prescott.

  Jasper wrapped his arms around Declan and embraced him tightly. When they pulled apart, Annie could see tears streaming down Jasper’s face. “I promised Killian I would watch over you. Everyone knows you’re an honorary member of the Prescott clan. You’re just as precious to me as my own grandsons.” Jasper’s voice radiated affection and an abundance of love.

  Declan touched Jasper on the shoulder. “You’ve always made me feel like one of the fold,” he said. “Grandpa would be proud of that. He thought the world of you.”

  “I still think of him every day,” Jasper said. “He was the truest friend I ever did have.”

  Annie teared up as she watched the emotional reunion between Jasper and Declan. It was so wonderful to see the two men share such a heartfelt moment. Based on Gram’s journal, she already felt a kinship with the mayor of Love. He could possibly be one of the last links to her heritage. If he had been the man to hold Gram’s heart in the palm of his hand, he must be quite special. She peered at him, trying to find something in his features that resembled her mother or herself. Hmm. As much as she wanted to see something familiar in his countenance, there wasn’t a single feature she could isolate.

  “Where’s your passenger? Her name is Annie, isn’t it? Our new librarian?” Jasper asked in a raised voice. “I’d like to make her acquaintance.”

  Declan grabbed Jasper’s elbow and pulled him in her direction. Jasper’s blue eyes twinkled as he gave her the once-over. He tipped his hat to her like an old-fashioned gentleman.

  “Jasper, this is Annie Murray, our new librarian,” Declan announced with a flourish. “Annie, this is our town mayor, Jasper Prescott.”

  Jasper reached for her hand and pressed a kiss on her knuckles. “It’s my pleasure to welcome you to town. And to tell you how thrilled we all are to have you heading up the new Free Library of Love. This dream has been decades in the making.”

  All of sudden, when faced with the man who might be her grandfather, Annie felt a bit overwhelmed by the possibilities. Jasper Prescott was a larger-than-life figure from Gram’s writings. She had to force words out of her mouth. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Mayor,” she murmured. Ugh. Mr. Mayor? Why had she called him that? It sounded ridiculous.

  Jasper squeezed her hand. “I’m terribly sorry about the plane crash. You must have been terrified.”

  Annie darted a glance at Declan. “Let’s just say I feel blessed to have made it out safe and sound.”

  “That’s the right attitude, Annie.” He eyed her shrewdly. “Are you sure you’re not Alaskan? From what Boone just told me, you’ve shown a great deal of resilience. And fortitude.”

  She giggled. “Not even the slightest. I was born and bred in Maine in a rather small town named Whimsy,” she explained.

  Jasper stroked his chin. “Now, why does that sound familiar?” Annie’s heart leaped. Perhaps he had a recollection about Gram. Should she just cut to the chase and introduce herself as the granddaughter of Aurelia Alice Murray? Or would it be too abrupt? She didn’t want anyone to believe she had come to town with an agenda. Her main goals in relocating to Alaska were to be a participant in Operation Love and to help establish the library. Tracking down her grandfather was important, but she didn’t want to alienate the townsfolk right off the bat.

  “Don’t forget that tomorrow there’s a team scheduled to meet you over at the library and help you get everything up and running. They can’t wait to get to know you.” Jasper winked at her. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other very soon.”

  Annie found herself following Jasper with her eyes as he made his way through the throng of people. There was such a congenial, commanding air about him. Much like Declan, he seemed magnetic. Everyone seemed drawn to him, like moths to the flame. For the umpteenth time, she found herself wondering if Gram, too, had found Jasper Prescott irresistible. Was he her grandfather? Or did the trail lead elsewhere?

  Just then a beautiful red-haired woman came rushing to Declan’s side. She threw her arms around his neck and said, “I’ve been praying for your safe return. I’m so tickled that you’re in one piece. This town wouldn’t be the same without you!”

  “Sophie!” Declan cried out. “You have no idea how great it is to see your pretty face.” Sophie blushed and said something to Declan that Annie couldn’t hear.

  Annie swallowed past the hard little lump in her throat. Some things were crystal clear, even to a small-town girl like herself. Declan O’Rourke might be the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on, but he was also a player extraordinaire. Annie had heard too many cautionary tales about men like him. Gram had given her the drill time after time. Don’t fall for a man simply because he makes your heart race. Don’t lose a sense of yourself or your values because you’ve fallen in love.

  She had forgotten that simple rule once and lived to regret it. That was a mistake she wouldn’t be repeating, ever. Not even for sky-blue eyes and cheekbones to die for.

  Declan was an appealing, handsome charmer. He had a sense of humor. He was brave. And he lived a life of adventure as a pilot. It was easy to feel a pull toward a man like Declan O’Rourke. But she had to resist the tug she felt in his direction. It was imperative to keep her eyes on the prize. She had relocated to Love, Alaska, in order to live out her dreams and to experience living in her grandmother’s hometown. Finding someone to walk through life with was part of the grand adventure. Annie was looking for someone stable and steady. A man who wanted to settle down and make a home and create a family. And give her his name. Despite Declan’s endless appeal, he wasn’t even close to being the type of guy she needed or wanted in her world. By his own admission, he wasn’t looking to ditch his bachelor status.

  Annie had a list of things she was striving to accomplish in her new life in Alaska. There was no way in the world that a drop-dead gorgeous pilot was going to sandbag those goals.

  * * *

  Declan drew in a deep breath of air. The scent of fresh catch from the fishing boats hung sharply in the November air. The view from the pier was awe inspiring. White-capped mountains sat majestically in the distance. The waters of Kachemak Bay shimmered as the sun’s rays bounced off the waves. This was home sweet home. The plane ride back to Love had been uneventful, if a bit nerve-racking. He had found himself clutching the armrest as Finn headed in for the water landing. The thud he felt when Ethel hit the water s
eemed more pronounced than usual. And contrary to any emotion he had ever felt before when flying, a trickle of anxiety had settled over him.

  Shake it off. This is going to pass like a spring shower, he reassured himself. Flying came as naturally to him as walking. A single incident shouldn’t change all that. He just needed some time to decompress.

  Boone walked toward him with his arms folded across his chest and a huge grin planted on his face. He looked at Declan and chuckled.

  Declan frowned. “What seems to be so hilarious, Sheriff Prescott?”

  “Oh, nothing,” Boone said. “I just remember standing on this very pier when Grace arrived in town. You asked a lot of questions that day. Now it’s my turn to grill you about Annie. The two of you seem to be getting on like a house on fire.”

  Declan rolled his eyes. “We were stranded together waiting for rescue, Boone. It’s not as if we were on a date,” Declan said.

  “I guess if you’re going to be fighting for survival with someone, it might as well be an attractive woman like Annie.” Boone leaned in and jabbed him in the side. “Am I right?”

  “I guess. But she’s more than just a pretty face,” Declan said. “She’s smart. And resourceful. There’s a goodness about her that radiates.” Glancing around, he located Annie in the crowd. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her fuzzy leopard pants.

  “Sounds like she’s pretty amazing.” Boone raised an eyebrow. “Is she special enough to tempt you to put your foot back in the dating pool?”

  “I never took my foot out of the dating pool,” he cracked. “Declan O’Rourke does just fine in that department.”

  Boone shook his head. “Come on, Declan. You know what I mean. Connecting with a woman. Finding that special someone. Maybe even settling down. Hint. Hint.”

  “Someone who completes me?” Declan teased. He held up his hands. “I’m not geared for all that. Don’t get me wrong. It’s amazing that you found Grace through the Operation Love program, but I’m doing all right the way I am. Matter of fact, I might even have a date tonight.”

  Boone’s jaw went slack. “A date? With who?”

  Declan frowned. The name was on the tip of his tongue. What was it again? Caroline? Coraline? He snapped his fingers. “Madeline. She’s new in town. One of Jasper’s recruits. Prettiest smile you ever saw.” The moment the words slipped past his lips, he mentally called himself out. His statement hadn’t been true. Annie Murray’s smile was the most stunning he had ever seen in his life. But he wasn’t about to confess that to Boone. Until he figured out how to deal with these feelings for Annie percolating inside him, he was going to keep things close to the vest.

  Declan scoffed, “You married people always want us singletons to follow you down the aisle into wedded matrimony. I’m doing just fine all by myself.”

  “If you say so,” Boone muttered as he walked away shaking his head.

  At almost the same time his best friend was leaving in disgust, Annie was walking toward him from the opposite direction. She moved with a pep in her step and a smile plastered on her face. Although he didn’t know Annie very well, he had a feeling this was how she navigated her way through life. With optimism and an open heart. He wished he could be more like her. On the inside, where it counted most. He was good at putting on a jovial show, but deep down he had always been nursing his hurts.

  “I hope everyone has given you a hearty welcome,” Declan said as she stopped beside him.

  “I feel like the queen for a day,” Annie gushed. “Everyone is so enthusiastic about the library. I really feel that coming here was my destiny.” Annie’s cheeks were flushed pink with happiness. Her brown eyes sparkled. Her joy was effusive. All of a sudden, he felt excitement building inside him regarding the library. He was beginning to see things through Annie’s eyes a little bit. Although he still didn’t think the library was a good use of town money, he was happy that Annie was now a resident of Love. But for the library, she would still be back home in Whimsy.

  “Love is a great town. It’s going to be different from what you’re used to. That’s for sure. But once it settles inside your heart and mind, you’re going to be head over heels for this fishing village. Just you wait and see.”

  “I’m counting on it. Thanks for everything, Declan,” Annie said, an easy grin illuminating her pretty face. “I’m sure we’ll run into each other in a town this size, but no matter what happens, please know I’ll be eternally grateful for the skill you exercised yesterday and for keeping me in one piece.”

  “That means a lot,” Declan said, overwhelmed by her gratitude. He wasn’t quite sure he deserved it, especially since he had no clue why Lucy had been in such distress in the first place. Was there something he had failed to notice in the plane’s maintenance checks? Engine failure? He swallowed past his massive doubts. He wouldn’t rest until he figured it out. “If you need anything, I’m only a phone call away. Where are you staying?”

  “At the Black Bear Cabins. I’m renting one from a woman named Hazel Tookes.”

  Declan had suspected that, along with a host of other Operation Love participants, Annie would be calling the Black Bear Cabins home. It was where Grace had lived prior to her marriage to Boone. Her best friend, Sophie Miller, a waitress at the Moose Café, still resided there.

  “You’re in great hands with Hazel. She’ll set you up nicely at her cabins. And she makes breakfast for her renters every morning and serves it up at the Lodge, so you’re in for a treat. Hazel can really cook!” He rubbed his stomach. “Her blueberry pancakes are my favorite.”

  “Miss Murray!” a booming voice called out, interrupting their conversation. Declan turned toward the familiar-sounding voice that registered like nails on a chalk board. Dwight Lewis was the town treasurer. At the moment he was hurtling toward them like a rocket. With his round spectacles, his up-to-the knee winter boots and a red bow tie peeping out from underneath his coat, he presented an odd image.

  “I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Dwight Lewis. Town treasurer.”

  “Call me Annie,” she suggested in a chirpy voice. “‘Miss Murray’ is so formal.”

  Dwight beamed. He adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. “Nice to meet you, Annie. I’d like to be the first member of the town council to welcome you to Love.”

  “Jasper already beat you to the punch,” Declan drawled. He took pleasure in taking the wind out of Dwight’s sails. He was such a pompous know-it-all. Dwight stuck his nose in more people’s business than a raccoon did scavenging for trash. Declan still hadn’t forgiven him for the way he had treated Grace when she had first come to town.

  Dwight scowled at him. Score! He’d managed to get under his skin. Declan grinned.

  “Well, I hope no one else has brought you flowers.” Dwight held out a bouquet of Alaskan fireweed mixed with roses. Declan sucked his teeth. What was Dwight doing? Was he trying to make a play for Annie? Something twisted inside his chest at the thought of Dwight romancing Annie. It wouldn’t sit well with him if his hunch was correct.

  “Why, thank you, Dwight,” Annie gushed, reaching out to accept the bouquet. She raised the flowers to her nose and inhaled deeply, then let out a satisfied sigh. “What a sweet gesture. They’re lovely.”

  “You really landed in Alaska with a bang,” Dwight said, his gaze drifting toward Declan. “It’s unfortunate that you had to go through such a traumatic experience. My deepest apologies on behalf of the town.” Declan scowled. Dwight was making apologies for the plane crash, something he knew nothing about. All Dwight knew was ledgers and bank balances and deposits. What did he know about planes or roughing it in the wilds of Alaska? Clearly he was just looking to score points with Annie.

  “Life doesn’t always work out the way we think it will,” Annie said. “The plane crash was scary, I have to admit.” She looked over at him. “But I
was in great hands with Declan. We worked together to build a fire and to ensure that we were rescued.”

  “Well, that must have been interesting, considering the two of you are on opposing sides,” Dwight said. He looked back and forth between the two of them.

  “Opposing sides? Why do you say that? We got along like biscuits and gravy.” The innocent expression on Annie’s face made Declan want to punch Dwight in the nose. For as far back as he could remember, Dwight had been a troublemaker. He always seemed to relish opportunities to insert himself into situations and wreak havoc. At the moment, he was stirring the pot with a big spoon.

  Dwight smirked at Declan. Right before he opened his mouth, Declan sensed impending danger. He had the feeling that Dwight was about to put all his business out there on full display.

  “Well, Declan here was one of the most vociferous opponents of the library.” Dwight chuckled. “He lobbied quite vigorously against it.” Dwight tapped his finger against his chin. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but if I recall, you said that libraries were dinosaurs and that they would be obsolete ten years from now. You said that not a single penny of this town’s money should be allocated toward a building that housed musty old books nobody wants to read.”

  Declan glared at Dwight. He clenched his fists at his sides. He counted to ten in his head and prayed for self-control. If he had learned one thing from his father’s mistakes, it was to think before he acted on raw emotion. Dwight couldn’t help being a worm.

  Annie gasped and raised her hand to her throat. She swung her gaze toward him. “Th-that can’t be true. Can it?”

  He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “It’s not as bad as Dwight here is making it sound,” Declan protested. “I was very vocal about town funds being utilized for a new library, but in order to understand, you would have to see it in context. In case you didn’t know, this town has been in a recession. We’re still in recovery mode. Not to mention that this town did have a library many years ago. It was closed due to lack of funds and ambivalence from the townsfolk.”