Humph! It was a moot point. Sheriff Boone Prescott was a cad. It was an expression her mother had always used to describe someone low-down and mean. It was the perfect word to describe the know-it-all sheriff.
Shame on you for taking your eyes off the prize, a little voice buzzed in her ear. Instead of batting her lashes at Boone, she should have been concentrating on the reason she’d traveled over three thousand miles to come to Love. It had been the one thing in her life that didn’t make her feel like a failure—her job as a journalist.
Taking a soothing breath, she counted to ten in her head. She needed to calm down before her blood pressure went sky-high. Focus, Grace. She reached for her computer, knowing that the only thing to do at this moment to center herself was write. Tony had been pestering her to send him something about life in Love. Well, she was going to write until her fingers cramped up. If Tony wanted a juicy article on this town, then she’d give him one. No holds barred. Before she knew it she’d written the beginnings of an article and the tension she was feeling had eased up some.
Misadventures in Love
There is a woman shortage in Love, Alaska. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. And despite the male residents’ constant speculation as to the whys and wherefores of the situation, it seems pretty straightforward to this city girl. Male chauvinists. Neanderthals masquerading as modern-day men. Adult men who brawl over women in cafés. Town sheriffs who spend their time on coffee breaks instead of keeping law and order in their town.
On and on she went until she felt as if she’d purged herself of all her fury and resentment. It felt good to vent. It felt good to lash out. When she finished the column Grace pressed the send button, feeling a sense of victory rush through her as she watched her article enter cyberspace. Now, she just had one more thing to do before she abandoned this frozen tundra masquerading as a village. She wasn’t sticking around this town just to have more abuse heaped on her.
She really didn’t belong here in the first place. Having feelings for the sheriff didn’t mean she was going to give up her life in New York to become his Alaskan bride. Sure, she’d thought about what it would be like to settle down here in Love. But giving up her career wasn’t something she could easily do. It was an essential part of her identity.
It was just as well that she nipped this whole situation in the bud and headed back home. She had more than enough material to finish the Operation Love series without being planted in the wilds of Alaska.
It wasn’t as if she was running away from the situation. Before she booked a one-way flight out of Love, she was going to make a big splash at the emergency town council meeting. According to Hazel they were meeting tonight to discuss the downturn in Love’s economy and implement new strategies to stimulate growth.
In a perfect world she would have worn her nude heels with this dress, but given the weather, Hazel’s boots made the most sense. She cast a glance in the mirror. Her outfit showed she meant business. She was wearing a dark blazer with her dress and a demure set of pearl earrings. It was the perfect outfit to make a surprise appearance at the town meeting.
Boone Prescott had caught her off guard earlier. He’d mistaken her kindness for weakness and lashed out at her in a completely unacceptable fashion. All she’d been guilty of was trying to be nice to Jasper. He’d misinterpreted everything and called her actions into question. There was a loneliness that hovered around the mayor like a lingering shadow. Although she knew it was tied up with losing the great love of his life, it still struck her as something that should have faded with time. She’d seen the way Hazel looked at Jasper. If only Jasper could see there were still opportunities to love and be loved. It was too bad his sanctimonious grandson didn’t seem to care one bit about his quality of life.
Humph! If it was the last thing she did in this rinky-dink town, she was going to give the sheriff of Love a piece of her mind.
* * *
“And that, my fellow council members, is my recommendation for our Founder’s Day celebration.” Dwight Lewis, town treasurer, concluded his report with his usual dramatic flair. He bowed at the waist as if he was greeting royalty.
Boone felt his eyelids growing heavier by the second. He’d been fighting this battle against drowsiness ever since the meeting started an hour ago. Town meetings were duller than the shine on his most scuffed-up pair of cowboy boots.
He couldn’t stop thinking about Grace. Blowing up at her had been wrong of him, and he’d been regretting it ever since she’d left without a word. Seeing the look of hurt flash in her eyes had been painful. He’d felt like a bully. For so long he’d considered himself the official head of the Prescott family, the one who protected all the others from harm. He’d lashed out at Grace because of fear. Jasper wasn’t getting any younger, and he was terrified of losing him. So many things were up in the air with his loved ones. Grace had been the scapegoat for all his worries.
The things he’d said to her filled him with shame. He didn’t like hurting people. Especially Grace. Those quivering lips and wet eyelashes had done a number on him. A part of him wondered if it had been his way of pushing her away a little bit after they’d connected at the skating party and shared that unforgettable kiss. She’d nudged her way into his heart at record speed. And he didn’t quite know what to do about all these feelings rumbling around inside him.
How in the world could he make it up to her? He wondered if she liked flowers. No! Shoes. She loved shoes. Maybe he could order a pair from some fancy online shoe vendor.
Boom. A crashing noise jolted him to attention. His eyes flew open at the sight of Grace standing in the doorway with one hand on her hip. Her hat was sitting off to the side, while the tip of her nose was the color of a strawberry. Suddenly, he was wide-awake.
“Miss Corbett,” Dwight said in a voice brimming with outrage, “it is highly unorthodox to come crashing into a town meeting.”
“I apologize for my interruption, but I came here to say my piece.” She tilted her head up. “Don’t worry, Dwight. This town won’t have to put up with me much longer. I’m ready to head back to New York City as soon as I can make the arrangements.” She shook her head and let out a loud harrumph sound. “By the way, I’ve been sitting out in the hallway waiting for an opportune time to come in. I’ve never in my life heard such a bunch of baloney wrapped up as good sense. Ever since I came to Love I’ve heard about all the financial problems and the doom and gloom hovering over this place like a dark cloud.”
Dwight shot up from his chair. “Are you just going to sit here and let her insult my report?” Dwight said with a loud sniff of disapproval.
Jasper shook his head. “Sit down, Dwight. You already had the floor.” He smiled in Grace’s direction. “Continue, Grace. Sorry for the interruption.”
Grace cleared her throat. “You have something right under your noses, if only you’d stop feeling sorry for yourselves long enough to notice.”
“Mind cluing us in?” Boone drawled.
* * *
She didn’t want to look at him, but he was practically boring a hole straight through her. And to add insult to injury, he had the nerve to look handsome in his dark jacket and slacks. It would be so much easier to ignore him if he looked like a troll.
She stuck out her foot and pointed. “These boots!”
Jasper’s bushy brows knit together. “Books. What about the books?” he asked.
“Boots,” Boone leaned toward Jasper and said in a raised voice. “You better start wearing that hearing aid, or you’re going to miss out on every conversation in town.”
Grace glared at Boone. “If I may be allowed to continue.” She swung her gaze toward the other council members, studiously avoiding looking in Boone’s direction. “These boots rival some of the biggest names in the business. They’re comfortable and well-made and stylish. Trust me. I’m a shoe girl. I know what
I’m talking about. I spend way more money than I should on shoes. And I’ve got quite a few boots in my collection. Cha-ching, if you know what I mean.”
“My boots!” Hazel shrieked, a delighted expression etched on her face. “You actually think they’re worth something?”
“I think they could be the next big thing,” Grace announced. “If only you so-called town leaders would open your eyes and consider the possibilities. When I was lost out in the woods these boots kept me from getting a bad case of hypothermia. They have value!”
“I’m open to anything that will restore this town to her former glory,” Jasper said, raising his fist in the air.
Hazel fanned herself with her hand. “And to think that my little boots might help to revitalize our economy. I’m tickled at the prospect.”
Grace stretched her arms out wide. “Think of all the ways you could market the boots. The slogan could be ‘fashionable and functional.’ Customers would eat it up. Not to mention the thrill of buying authentic Alaskan boots.”
The dramatic sound of a clearing throat had her turning toward Boone. “It’s an amazing idea, Grace. Thoughtful. Pragmatic. And creative. You definitely thought outside the box. I make a motion that we explore the possibility of mass-producing Hazel’s boots on a trial run to see if this enterprise has merit.” He nodded in Hazel’s direction. “With your permission of course, Hazel.”
Hazel was grinning so wide she resembled a jack-o’-lantern. “Of course, Boone. You know I’d do anything to help this town.”
“You went above and beyond, Grace,” Boone said in a silky smooth voice. “Who knows? There might be a spot for you on this town council.” He was smiling at her—a beatific smile that almost made her forget his unforgivable behavior from this morning. How could he grin at her after he’d treated her so poorly? Did he think a simple wink and a smile would grant him forgiveness?
“It’s a little late for the compliments.” She pointed a wavering finger in Boone’s direction.
Something in his eyes challenged her bravado, which only served to stoke her anger. “You, Sheriff Prescott, are the most judgmental man I’ve ever met. You make sweeping assumptions about people without even giving them the opportunity to explain themselves. It must be so nice to always be right about everything and everyone.”
She swung her eyes toward Jasper, who had a glimmer in his eye that looked like encouragement. Hazel was hiding a smirk with her hand while a few of the council members were shaking their heads in disapproval.
Dwight stood up and said, “Miss Corbett! This is highly unorthodox. And inappropriate. This session is not open to the public. We follow rules of order here.”
Jasper banged his gavel. He shook his finger at Dwight. “Let Grace speak her peace. She’s a resident of this town now. And if this beef between the two of them gets squashed, she may become my granddaughter someday.”
“Don’t count on it!” Grace growled. “I’d rather be single for the rest of my days than end up with someone like your grandson.” She shivered dramatically for effect.
“Ouch,” Boone said, placing his hand across his chest. “That hurt, Gracie. Can we go outside and talk...privately?”
She folded her arms across her chest and glared at him. “I really have nothing to say to you, Sheriff Prescott. You’re just a...meanie!”
A meanie? Had those words really just come out of her mouth? She’d momentarily reverted back to her eight-year-old self. She’d come here to confront Boone and to let the town council know how shortsighted they were being about the town’s potential. Now she’d made a fool of herself by spouting juvenile insults. Heat rose to her cheeks as she stomped out of the town meeting. Raucous laughter trailed behind her.
“Of all the stupid, misguided ideas,” she muttered to herself.
“Grace!” The sound of Boone calling her name drifted after her as she walked down Jarvis Street. She ignored him, continuing to walk at a fast clip past shops and curious townsfolk.
“Come on, Grace. Please, stop.”
She whirled around to find him right on her heels. “What do you want?” she snapped.
She could feel her lips pursing of their own accord. It was a bad habit she’d had ever since childhood.
“I’m a fool. Please don’t leave.” A tremor danced along his jawline. His eyes blinked rapidly.
Six little words spoken so humbly by Boone nearly did her in. They crashed over her with the weight of a tsunami. It was hard for her to even breathe, let alone speak.
“Why do you want me to stay?” she asked.
“Because you add color to my world. You’re like a bright light in the forest. When I’m with you...I laugh more. I feel things I haven’t felt in a very long time. You make me believe in things I thought might be behind me. And I lashed out at you...because you’re in my thoughts all the time and part of me is scared of what I feel for you. It was my way, I think, of pushing you away. The thing is, I want you in my life, Gracie. I care so very much about you.”
Tears pooled in Grace’s eyes. Boone’s words traveled all the way to the depths of her soul. No man had ever laid it on the line like this before, not even her ex-fiancé. No one had ever told her what she brought into their world. She’d never imagined her heart could expand to three times its normal size. Emotion clogged her throat, and she was afraid to speak for fear she might blubber like a baby.
A muscle was twitching by Boone’s mouth. He looked as if he was about to jump out of his skin. “Grace, say something. Anything. Please.”
“You had me at ‘I’m a fool,’” Grace said, watching as Boone’s body language instantly changed.
Boone easily swallowed up the distance between them. He placed his hands around her waist and dipped her backward before planting a kiss on her lips. His arm was bracing her lower back. Grace rested her hands on his shoulders, surprised and delighted at the unexpected kiss. As his lips moved over hers, Grace couldn’t help but think it was the most romantic moment of her life. He was literally sweeping her off her feet. The sound of clapping interrupted the moment. Boone swung her up so she was standing. The entire town council, minus Dwight, stood a few feet away, their faces lit up with interest and approval. Grace blushed as Boone reached for her hand and raised it to his lips, causing even more of a reaction from the crowd.
This was happiness! Less than an hour ago she’d been angry and distraught and teary.
And in a moment of weakness she’d written a very unflattering article about Love that might get published if she didn’t retract it, which she planned to do immediately. Her stomach muscles clenched at the mere thought of the article being published. It had been a petty and small thing to do. It was amazing how quickly things changed.
Now she was practically floating on air. All because of a few humble, sincere words from Boone. Mood swings. Going from jubilation to despair to joy again. Wanting to stay in Love, then wanting to head back to New York City the very next minute. White noise began to thrum in her ears as she began to connect the dots.
This thing between her and Boone was more than a mere flirtation. For Grace, it was beginning to feel a lot like love. And for the life of her, she wasn’t sure how she felt about falling for the sheriff.
Chapter Eleven
Boone had known he was a goner the minute Grace had come barreling into the town council meeting last night with guns blazing. From the moment she’d appeared, he’d been forced to stifle the urge to sweep her up in his arms and kiss her senseless. The joy he’d felt when she’d accepted his apology had been indescribable. It was as if, suddenly, all was right with the world.
He couldn’t escape the feeling that God was trying to tell him something. Despite her head-turning looks, Grace Corbett was not the type of woman he would ever have imagined as his soul mate. He’d judged her by her love of high heels and her city-gi
rl background. He’d tried to convince himself that a woman like Grace would want the world offered to her on a silver platter. So far, he’d been as wrong about her as a man could be.
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
It wasn’t right to judge someone based on initial impressions or superficial things such as the type of shoes they wore. What if Grace had viewed him as nothing more than a backwoods lawman? Their relationship would never have gotten off the ground if that were the case.
Yes, indeed. God was moving his heart in a direction he would never have predicted. One never knew how God might light a path. For a long time he’d been stumbling around in the darkness.
A gentle knocking on his office door drew him out of his thoughts. He was so used to visitors crashing uninvited into his office that the idea of someone using their social graces surprised him.
“Come on in,” he called out.
The first thing he saw peeking around the door frame was a head of beautiful raven-colored hair. Grace’s pretty face came into view, instantly transforming this ho-hum day into a special one.
“Hey, Gracie. To what do I owe this visit?” Grace advanced toward him, her petite figure decked out in a pink dress that skimmed her knees. She wore a black ski jacket, Hazel’s boots and a cute little pink hat on her head. He might be biased, but he thought she was the most adorable woman on the planet.
“Hi, Boone. Sorry for just popping in like this.” Her gaze swung around the room as she looked around his office with obvious interest. Kona perked up her ears and sauntered over to Grace at a fast clip. She immediately began lavishing Grace with her undivided attention. Boone smiled at the enthusiastic way Grace embraced Kona. Little by little Grace was showing him that despite first impressions, she fit seamlessly into every single aspect of his life. It reinforced every single notion he’d always heard about finding that one special person. Everything just felt right.
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