Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 Patrice Lewis (i read book txt) 📖

in check. Growing up in the shadow of a tragic event such as his sister’s kidnapping had forged a strong bond between the two brothers. Although they were now traveling on different paths since Braden was opening a business specializing in Alaskan adventures, the love between them couldn’t be any stronger. Watching him fall head over heels in love with his best friend had been awe-inspiring. The happy couple was also working together with Piper’s pie business, Pie in the Sky.

“So, how are things going with the new girl in town? Ellen? I heard she’s working at the chocolate shop,” Gabe said.

“Ella,” he said, quickly correcting his friend. “She seems to be acclimating well to our little town. She had an accident with her truck so I’ve been giving her a lift to work until Rusty makes the repairs,” Connor explained.

“That’s too bad she had a wreck,” Gabe said. “I hope she’s all right.”

“She didn’t have so much as a scratch, but the truck wasn’t as fortunate,” Connor answered. “I’m just praying she doesn’t get jittery about driving on these icy roads. I remember when I had that accident back in high school. It took me a long time to work up the courage to get back behind the wheel.”

Hank nodded. “Sage is raving about her and how well she’s doing at the chocolate shop. I think my wife has found a new friend.”

“That’s great. Sage is the perfect person for Ella to bond with.” Just the thought of the two women becoming friends made him smile. His sister was compassionate and understanding. “It must be challenging being new to Owl Creek. Most of the townsfolk have been in each other’s pockets for all of our lives.”

Hank took a big swig of his hot chai. “Something tells me you’re doing some bonding of your own with Ella, judging by that look on your face.”

“We’re just friends,” Connor said, not wanting Hank or Gabe to get the wrong idea. He knew all too well how fast rumors spread here in town. “Even a blind man can see she’s beautiful,” he conceded, “so there’s a definite attraction. I feel this pull in her direction that makes me want to be around her.”

Gabe leaned forward across the table. “I can hear a ‘but’ coming.”

Connor let out a sigh. “At the risk of being considered paranoid, I’m pretty certain she’s running from something in her past.” He looked back and forth between his friends, waiting for skeptical expressions to appear on their faces. When it didn’t happen, he continued to speak. “I can’t say for certain what it is, but something doesn’t feel right about her backstory.”

“Maybe she had a bad breakup,” Gabe said. “People relocate all the time due to their personal lives.”

“True.” Connor sighed. “Trouble is, the only woman who makes me feel anything romantic at all these days is Ella.”

“And why is that a problem?” Hank asked.

“Because all of my instincts are telling me she’s sitting on a mountain of secrets. I can’t put my finger on it, but our new employee isn’t as she appears to be. And it’s putting up a wall between us.”

“What do you think she’s hiding?” Gabriel prodded.

Connor shrugged. “I have no idea. Something just doesn’t feel right. Her reason for coming all this way to Alaska is a bit shaky.”

Hank scratched his jaw. “People move all the time. Maybe her old life wasn’t working, and she wanted a fresh start. It’s not far-fetched at all. We have several residents who transplanted here from other places.”

Connor let out a frustrated sound. “Okay. It’s possible I’m just putting up roadblocks, but my instincts are telling me something is off with her. And I have to admit, it has crossed my mind that she could be involved in something illegal.”

“As a member of law enforcement, I have to caution you against going down that trail without evidence. It’s a huge leap,” Hank said.

“What your family has been through would make anyone a bit jaded,” Gabe added. “I know when Sage revealed herself as your long-lost sister, you were the last family member to believe it was true. You’re a pragmatic person, Connor, but sometimes you tend to see cracks when there really aren’t any. Just keep that in mind.”

“He’s right,” Hank chimed in. “And the problem is, you could be blocking your greatest blessing in the process.”

His greatest blessing. Lately, Connor had been thinking about his future and dreaming of a life different from the one he was leading. He loved his job, adored his family and his hometown, yet there was a void in his life that nothing had been able to fill. Although he would never admit it to his best friends, he was lonely. He’d never yearned for love before, but he knew it was the missing ingredient in an otherwise charmed life. Keeping women at a distance was his strong suit, but it hadn’t helped him move forward on his journey.

Could Ella become someone special in his life? Perhaps he was foolish to even think it, since they barely knew one another. Another part of him couldn’t help but wonder. He felt a strong, inexplicable pull in her direction. If he gave it a chance, would something develop between them? He had no idea. Keeping her at arm’s length seemed practical to him, but he couldn’t discount Gabriel’s and Hank’s comments. If he continued to do as he’d always done, the path he was taking would lead him to a lifetime of loneliness.

CHAPTER SEVEN

It was a beautiful January evening in Alaska and Chinook Woods was one of the loveliest places she’d ever seen. Isabelle had decided to attend the dog mushing event that featured a well-known dog musher, Ace Reynolds, who had ties to Owl Creek. Despite the frigid temperature, no snow was falling from the pewter-colored sky. Although Isabelle thought the fluffy white stuff was pretty, she still hadn’t gotten used to being surrounded by it. She inhaled the pristine air, then