Page 6 of An Alaskan Twin Surprise (Home to Owl Creek 2)

Gabriel threw his hands in the air. “I wish everyone would stop worrying about me. I’m fine,” he grumbled. “I’ll admit it was a surprise to see her, but I’m not shattered.”

“I should go see if Piper’s all right. My little sister grieved the loss of their friendship when Rachel left town. She really loved her,” Hank said with a grimace. “Not to mention that Braden skipped town right before her.”

A sheepish expression crossed Connor’s face. “At least he’s back for now.” He shrugged. “Although he hasn’t exactly told us how long he’s staying.”

Braden North, Connor’s younger brother, had returned to town to meet Sage after she’d been reunited with the North family. For the last few years he hadn’t spent much time in Owl Creek, choosing instead to travel all over the globe in pursuit of adventures. He and Piper had been best friends for years prior to his disappearing act.

Gabriel stood up so Hank could get out of the booth to catch up to his sister. He watched as his friend made it over to the counter in a few easy strides. Hank reached out and cradled an emotional Piper in his arms. He gently guided her into the kitchen and away from prying eyes. Gabriel let out a ragged sigh.

Piper wasn’t the only one who’d adored Rachel. He’d loved her more than he could ever truly put into words. Although he had given her his heart, it clearly hadn’t been enough. And for the life of him, Gabriel still wished he knew why she had left town and ripped his life apart in the process.

* * *

Heading into town was the ultimate act of bravery as far as Rachel was concerned.

Because it was her first foray into the heart of Owl Creek, she’d made the decision to leave the twins with her mother and Beulah North, the grand matriarch of Owl Creek. Beulah had happily agreed to help watch the girls since she was still expectantly waiting for her own grandchildren to make her a great-grandmother.

Beulah was a member of the North family who owned North Star Chocolates. They owned a chocolate factory in town along with a shop on Main Street. As a teenager Rachel had worked at the chocolate factory. It had been her first after-school job where she’d earned a paycheck. Beulah had taken Rachel under her wing and showered her with kindness and guidance. Other than her mother, Beulah had been the only person she’d communicated with during her absence from Owl Creek. The older woman had been very encouraging regarding Rachel coming back to Alaska to help Helene. Just knowing she had an ally in Owl Creek had made it possible for her to return.

“It will give me an opportunity to be in the presence of little ones while visiting with your mother,” Beulah had said, appearing quite eager to act as babysitter for a few hours. Thankfully, both the girls were well-adjusted with regard to caregivers. Neither one skipped a beat when she’d left the house and kissed them goodbye. Even though they were only one-year-olds, they were resilient children. It made her feel as if she must have done something right in her child-rearing.

Her heart ached a little bit at the sight of the majestic mountains rising up to greet her like an old friend as she drove into the center of town. How many times had she gazed at this vis

ta and known with a deep certainty that she belonged in Owl Creek? She’d never wanted to wander far from this Alaskan hamlet, but circumstances had made it impossible for her to stay. Fear had held her in its fierce grip and all of the decisions she’d made had been born of that emotion.

Ever since then she’d been determined to be braver. Stronger.

Driving down Main Street allowed her to get a glimpse of a few new shops that had cropped up in her absence. There was a coffee place called Java and a small toy store with an abundance of brightly colored items displayed in the window. She made a note to pick up a few of them for the girls so she could tuck them away as gifts for the holidays. Enjoying high tea at Tea Time had always been her favorite treat, but there was no way she could ever walk into the establishment owned by Gabriel’s mother. Iris Lawson wasn’t a member of the Rachel Marshall fan club. Not by a long shot.

Now as she walked through the doors of the Snowy Owl diner, Rachel braced herself for impact. This place held so many memories for her—all of them good ones. She’d enjoyed her first date with Gabriel here, as well as indulging in Saturday afternoon milkshakes at the establishment with her father. Her brother, Neil, had once worked at the diner. Her eyes immediately focused on the cherry-red jukebox and her heart constricted. How many times had Daddy selected their favorite songs and serenaded her as they enjoyed one-on-one time with each other? She’d give anything to share one last song with him.

Rachel’s face flushed as she became the subject of numerous stares and whispers. Her body tensed up and she considered walking right back out the door. Courage, she reminded herself. Surely she still had some friends in her hometown. Not everyone was a foe.

She swung her gaze around the place and felt a jolt upon spotting Gabriel sitting in a booth with Connor North. His eyes locked with her own. She couldn’t help but remember all the times they’d met up here for a date night or a study session when they were in high school. Rachel wondered if Gabriel had held on to those memories, as well.

Gabriel stood up from his seat and began walking in her direction. His hands were stuffed into the pockets of his cords, his gait relaxed as he reached her side within seconds. As usual, his presence packed a punch. She sucked in a steadying breath. Lord, help me.

Suddenly it seemed as if all eyes in the diner were focused on the two of them. Rachel knew by nightfall rumors would be circulating throughout the village about her and Gabriel.

“Hey, Rachel. How are you?”

“Hi, Gabriel. I’m doing all right.” Just talking to him again and being in such close proximity caused butterflies to soar around in her stomach. Was it possible he’d grown even more handsome in the past few years?

“And the girls?” he asked, looking around them. “Did you bring them into town with you?”

“No, they’re back at the house with Beulah and Mama. They’re still a bit tired from traveling yesterday. I’m actually looking for Piper. Have you seen her?”

Gabriel’s eyes widened. There was a slight tick in his jaw. “She’s in the back with Hank. I’m not sure right now is a good time to talk to her.”

She paused for a moment, taking in the telltale signs Gabriel was giving off.

“She knows I’m back in Owl Creek, doesn’t she?” Although she was holding her breath waiting for his response, Rachel knew by his demeanor that Piper was none too happy about her homecoming. If she hadn’t been such a chicken, she would have called her childhood friend last night and told her she was back. But Rachel had worried Piper would simply hang up on her rather than talk things through. This way, she’d figured, Piper would have to face her.

“Yeah, she’s pretty upset. I think she figured you would have reached out to her.”

Rachel made a face. “I keep walking into minefields. I can’t seem to get anything right, can I?”

“Give yourself a break. You’ve been gone a long time. It’s normal to experience a few hiccups.”

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