Her Secret Alaskan Family

by Belle Calhoune

  “There’s a fierce wind out there,” she said, wrapping her arms around her middle and shivering. “We wouldn’t want her to catch a chill.”

  “No, we wouldn’t,” Hank said, feeling a sudden urge to stay a bit longer. “Well, good night then.”

  “I’ll get the door for you,” Sage offered, walking ahead of him toward the front entrance.

  As Hank walked out into the cold Alaskan night, he resisted the urge to turn around and take one last look at Sage. He imagined she looked lovely illuminated by the soft glow of the front porch lantern. So many thoughts were rumbling around in his head as he drove the short distance home. All of his professional instincts were warning him that something was off with Sage, yet his heart was pulling him in her direction. Despite his firm resolve to have nothing to do with the beautiful schoolteacher, Hank was having a difficult time ignoring the deep-seated yearning he felt every time she was in his orbit.

  Chapter Eight

  Sage woke up the following morning filled with excitement and a bit of trepidation about her tour of the chocolate factory. Last night before she went to bed she’d looked at Beulah’s invitation and smiled at the sweet tone of the older woman’s words. It meant a lot to be embraced by the North family’s matriarch. Spending time with her grandmother was the biggest inducement to attend the tour, although chocolate was a runner-up. This would be a wonderful opportunity for her to check out the North family business and to get better acquainted with Beulah.

  She practically wolfed down her breakfast as Trudy looked on with a bemused expression on her face. After eating, Sage headed back upstairs to look in the full-length mirror. She wanted to look her best upon meeting up with Beulah. She imagined there wouldn’t be many opportunities for her to spend time with her, so she wanted to make the most of it. A moment like this would be cherished for a lifetime when she went back home.

  “Sage! Your ride is here,” Trudy called out from downstairs.

  Sage grabbed her purse and headed down. “My ride?” she asked in a surprised voice. “I thought you were my ride.”

  Trudy was grinning from ear to ear. “Hank is outside waiting for you. He found a vehicle for you to use while you’re in town.”

  She felt her jaw drop. “Are you serious? That’s great news, Trudy! It’s awfully kind of him.”

  Trudy nodded her head. “If you haven’t noticed, Hank is a gem.” Sage carefully avoided Trudy’s gaze. She had the feeling Hank’s mother was on a fishing expedition. Although the sheriff was a perfect example of an Alaskan hunk, Sage wasn’t going down any romantic roads while she was in Owl Creek. She didn’t want to give Trudy the slightest bit of encouragement. On the other hand, she didn’t want to be rude.

  “I’m mighty grateful,” she murmured, wanting to acknowledge Hank’s kindness for finding her a vehicle. Trudy rewarded her with a huge grin.

  Sage put her parka on and shoved her feet into a new pair of Lovely Boots she’d purchased yesterday in town. As Trudy had promised, they made her feet feel as if she was walking on a cloud. “Bye, Trudy. I’ll catch you later!” Sage rushed outside into the frigid winter morning. Hank was standing beside a red truck parked in front of the house. Astro was sitting in the back of the truck as if he was looking forward to getting a ride. Sage quickly swallowed up the distance between her and Hank.

  “Trudy told me you found a vehicle for me to use. Is this it?” she asked, jerking her chin in the direction of the truck. She was smiling so hard it made her cheeks hurt. She couldn’t think of the last time anyone had done something this sweet for her.

  “It’s all yours for the duration of your stay here in town. It’s seen a few miles over the years, but it’ll get you where you need to go. All you have to worry about is putting gas in it when it runs low. I filled the tank up for you so you won’t need to refuel for a while.”

  “Let me know how much I owe the owner.”

  Hank waved a hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. He owed me a favor. It’s yours to borrow for as long as you like, no strings attached.”

  “Oh, Hank, it’s all so wonderful.” A feeling of immense gratitude washed over her. Sage threw her arms around Hank, enveloping him in a tight bear hug. He smelled like pine needles and apples—a warm, pleasant scent. Although she knew her enthusiasm might seem over-the-top, she couldn’t rein herself in. Everyone here in Owl Creek had been so kind to her ever since she arrived. She hadn’t expected this treatment at all by the townsfolk. Hank was a busy man—a single father and a town sheriff—who didn’t have to go out of his way to help her.

  When she pulled away from him she couldn’t help but notice he seemed a bit flustered.

  It was kind of nice seeing another side of the always-in-control sheriff.

  “Thanks so much for making this happen,” she gushed. “Trudy has been wonderful, giving me rides, but I like being independent. I hate feeling like a burden. She already has a lot on her plate.”

  “That’s understandable, although I know Mama doesn’t think of it that way. She loves spending time with you. I think it’s safe to say you’re her favorite guest of all time.”

  Sage let Hank’s words settle over her like a cozy blanket. It was such a heartwarming feeling to be embraced so enthusiastically by Trudy. It was making her feel as if she really did belong in Owl Creek. Because in truth, she wasn’t really an outsider. This quaint town was where she’d been born, where her family had planned to raise her before the bottom had fallen out of their world. This Alaskan town was beginning to feel important to her in so many different ways.

  “That means a lot to me,” she acknowledged, biting her lip to keep herself from tearing up. These days it felt as if she was on an emotional roller coaster. Ever since the death of her mother, Sage felt like all the nerve endings in her body were exposed.

  “My truck is parked back on Main Street, so why don’t you get behind the wheel and drive us into town,” Hank suggested. “We should get going. I wouldn’t want you to be late for your tour with Beulah. Just take it nice and easy since you’re not used to snow-packed roads.”

  Sage nodded and seated herself behind the wheel while Hank motioned for Astro to jump down from the back of the truck. She felt a bit nervous about driving in such wintry conditions, but having Hank by her side in the passenger seat gave her a boost of confidence. It seemed as if nothing bad could happen on his watch. He radiated an air of calm authority, alerting her to upcoming curves in the road or slick patches to watch out for. It felt nice driving a truck since it was bigger and sturdier than her small coupe back home.

  “Should I drop you off at the sheriff’s office?” Sage asked as they came upon Main Street.

  “No. It’s not necessary. I can walk over. Take the left on Forrest and then the factory will be straight ahead on your left,” Hank instructed. Sage followed his directions, and within a few minutes, the factory rose up to greet them. It was a large brick structure that didn’t quite fit in with the small-town vibe. Although she’d gotten a look at it the other day, her nerves had been all over the place and she hadn’t really taken in any of the details.

  Sage parked in the designated lot and turned toward Hank.

  “That wasn’t so bad,” she said, letting out a sigh of relief. “Other than a few slippery spots it was pretty straightforward.”

  “I’m impressed,” he murmured, nodding approvingly. “Don’t forget it gets dark early, so you might want to head back to the inn while there’s still daylight.”

  “Good point.” The last thing she needed was to get lost on a dark and remote Alaskan road with caribou and black bears running around. Being in Owl Creek was an adventure, but she wasn’t looking for that type of excitement. “Thanks again for setting me up with the truck so I can explore on my own without bothering Trudy.”

  “You’re quite welcome. To be honest, you’ve given me an excuse to go inside,” he said, his ex
pression sheepish. He reached into the backseat and held up a loaf of home-baked bread inside a cellophane bag with a bright red bow on it. “I have a peace offering for Beulah. Pumpkin is her favorite.”

  “You bake?” Sage asked, delighted at the notion of the handsome sheriff making baked goods in his kitchen. She wasn’t used to meeting many men who were accomplished bakers. Hank Crawford really was a Renaissance man.

  He appeared to be pleased with himself. “I sure do. Trudy wasn’t sending out a son into the world who didn’t know how to fend for himself.” He let out a little groan. “She said it was her duty to my future wife.”

  Sage tried to stifle her giggle, but she couldn’t stop the sounds of mirth coming from her mouth. The more she tried to rein it in, the louder she laughed. Hank joined in on the laughter and the truck was filled with sounds of merriment.

  “We’ll be having our annual Owl Creek cook-off competition soon. You won’t want to miss it. I think I’ll give Mama and Piper a run for their money and make my famous corn bread.”

  “I’d like a front-row seat for that competition,” Sage told him as images of Piper, Hank and Trudy vying for the trophy danced in her head. She found herself looking forward to it.

  “Ready to go in? It’s about that time,” Hank said, tapping his watch.

  Sage rubbed her hands together. She felt like a little kid. “Yes. I’m so excited. I feel like Charlie going to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.”

  “Just don’t go falling into any chocolate rivers,” Hank quipped, the corners of his mouth twitching with amusement.

  “I could think of worse things,” Sage said, enjoying the playful banter. What was the harm in it? She knew there was no hope of anything further happening between them. Getting involved with the sheriff of Owl Creek would be like putting her hand too close to the fire. The stakes were way too high and she wasn’t in a place to explore the chemistry between them. She already felt as if she was teetering on a high wire with no safety net. Adding Hank to the equation would be disastrous.

  When they got out of the truck and headed toward the steps leading toward the entrance, Beulah was standing at the door to the chocolate factory waving at them. Hank looked over at Sage and smirked. “If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I wouldn’t believe it. Beulah really has taken you under her wing, hasn’t she?”

  Just hearing Hank confirm what she’d been thinking caused a sliver of worry to pass through her. Was she being foolish to get so close to Beulah? Was it fair to come to the chocolate factory under false pretenses?

  The joyful expression on Beulah’s face caused Sage to stuff down her worries. After everything she’d been through, Beulah deserved as many happy moments as possible. If Sage could provide a little bit of joy to her long-lost grandmother, she wouldn’t hesitate to do so.

  Beulah quickly ushered them inside from the cold. Once they were in the building, Beulah turned toward Hank with a raised brow. “What brings you here, Hank?”

  He leaned down and pressed a kiss on Beulah’s cheek. Sage detected a smile quirking at the corners of her lips.

  “I missed you, Beulah. And I come bearing a gift.” Hank held out the pumpkin bread.

  Beulah frowned. “Are you trying to bribe me, Sheriff Crawford?”

  “Not at all,” Hank said. “Just trying to win a little favor with you.”

  “You know pumpkin bread is my weakness,” Beulah said, leaning in and giving Hank a peck on the cheek. “Even the best of friends have spats. My faith reminds me to forgive rather than to hold on to things.”

  Hank placed a hand over his heart. “Then my work here is done!” he proclaimed. “You two ladies enjoy yourselves. I need to head to the sheriff’s office.” With a wave of his hand, Hank disappeared out the door. Sage felt her gaze trailing after him.

  After he’d walked out of the building, Beulah looked at her and said, “A girl could do a lot worse than Hank Crawford.”

  “I imagine so,” she responded, feeling a bit wistful about Beulah’s comment. Hank was the type of man who inspired devotion. She knew it was only a matter of time before he fell for a local woman and settled down. That’s how things worked, especially in small towns like Owl Creek. Hank wasn’t the type of man who should walk through life without a loving partner by his side. She tamped down the discomfort she felt knowing it wouldn’t be her. The two of them might have a connection, but there was no way in the world Sage could afford to explore it.

  Beulah rubbed her hands together. “Let’s get started on the tour. There’s a lot to see at the North Star Chocolate Factory, if I do say so myself.” Sage chuckled as the older woman ushered her down a long corridor and immediately began telling her about the history of the company.

  Two hours later and Sage’s head was spinning with all the information she’d discovered about running a chocolate business. She’d had no idea how many steps were involved from turning a cocoa bean into a piece of chocolate. Beulah had shown her all areas of the factory, including the production line, the wrapping and packaging room, as well as the area where the cocoa beans were sorted, winnowed and roasted. There were so many things to see—the storage tanks, large pieces of machinery, the huge mound of cocoa beans. And of course, the finished product, the chocolate itself! Loads and loads of delectable confections.

  Along the way there were lots of stares and smiles from the workers. Most were probably wondering who she was and why she rated a private tour with Beulah North. It didn’t bother her at all. Strangely, she felt right at home in the chocolate factory.

  “Why don’t we go to my office?” Beulah suggested. “I have a few treats for you in there to take with you.”

  “That’s so thoughtful of you,” Sage gushed. Beulah treated her as if she was a very important person. It made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside, as if she truly mattered.

  “It’s my pleasure. I recall you saying milk chocolate was your favorite, although there’s quite an assortment.”

  “I’ll never say no to chocolate,” Sage said, linking arms with Beulah. Once they entered her private office, Sage almost stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of her birth mother standing near Beulah’s large mahogany desk. Willa’s face was in profile as she riffled through some papers, and for the first time Sage observed a slight resemblance between herself and Willa. There was something about her jawline and the slope of her nose. It was an eerie feeling to be standing so close to the person who had brought her into this world. And even more surreal that Willa had no idea Sage was her daughter.

  “Willa! I didn’t know you were here today!” Beulah exclaimed.

  Willa looked up from her paperwork and grinned at her mother-in-law. “Yes. Nate and I had a meeting with some distributors who flew in from Anchorage,” she explained. “I was hoping to catch you so I could go over this paperwork with you. We can do it another time, since I see you have a visitor.”

  Willa North was a beautiful woman with luminous skin and wide blue eyes. She radiated a sweet vibe. Although at first glance she appeared to be frail due to her petite body type, Sage knew her biological mother had to be a strong woman to have endured such trauma and heartache. Being in such close proximity to Willa made her pulse skitter. It was disorienting to come to terms with the fact that this was the woman who’d given birth to her and nurtured her for the first few months of her life.

  “I’d like to introduce you to my friend Sage Duncan. She hails from Florida and she’s visiting Owl Creek for a few weeks. I invited her here today so I could give her the grand tour.” Beulah winked at Willa. “She’s a big chocoholic.”

  “That’s just what we like to hear around here.” Willa smiled at Sage, dazzling her in the process. She felt a little bit like a deer caught in the headlights. Her legs were shaking so badly she wasn’t sure how she was still standing. She walked over and stuck out her hand. “Sage. What a lovely name. Welcome to our chocolate f
actory. Any friend of Beulah’s is a friend of mine.”

  Sage shook hands with Willa. The moment their skin touched a strange sensation flowed through her. Perhaps she was being fanciful, but she truly felt a special connection between them. She wondered if Willa felt it too?

  “Take a seat, Sage,” Beulah said, waving her toward a love seat. “We can sit for a while and have some hot chocolate, which is a specialty of our company. Come join us, Willa.” Beulah picked up the phone on her desk and put in the request for the hot cocoa to be delivered to her office.

  “I’d love to,” Willa replied, following behind them and sitting down next to Sage. Suddenly Sage felt a bit self-conscious. She really wanted Willa to like her. All of a sudden she felt like the shy ten-year-old she’d once been, nervous about being popular with her peers. This moment felt so important, as if she’d been waiting her whole life for it, without even knowing it.

  While Beulah was ordering refreshments, Sage sat side by side with Willa, who showed her all the different types of confections Beulah had placed in a large basket for her.

  “A lot of people don’t care for chocolate-covered cherries, but they’re my favorite, bar none. I could eat a whole box myself,” Willa said with a giggle.

  “They’re one of mine too,” Sage admitted, laughing at the thought of Willa devouring a whole box of the confections.

  By the time the hot cocoa and cookies came, Sage felt like they were fast friends. Willa seemed fascinated by the idea of living in the Sunshine State and the differences between the Alaskan and Floridian climates. Sage was able to ask Willa about the various owls the town was known for. She told Sage about an upcoming town event called the owl walk where all the residents ventured into the woods to get a glimpse of all the town’s owl species in their natural habitat.