Page 26 of Hiding in Alaska (Home to Owl Creek 4)

“Connor! What brings you here?” Ella asked. “As you can see, this place is jumping today with first-graders. Sage arranged a tour for her students.” Ella’s eyes twinkled. “Giving chocolate samples to six-year-olds is a bona fide way to make them happy.”

Connor looked around the shop at all the happy little faces. He let out a chuckle. “Sage might regret giving them candy before they head back to class.”

Sage and another teacher were doing their best to quiet the kids down to a dull roar. His sister looked over and sent an apologetic look in Ella’s direction. In return, Ella simply smiled.

“Only one piece of chocolate per child,” Ella said. “That’s the rule.”

“A wise decision,” he said. “I’m a big fan of the stuff, but too much of it can make children bounce off the walls.”

Ella grinned. “That’s what my sister always says.” Once the words were out of her mouth, Ella’s expression changed. All the light faded from her eyes, replaced by a somber expression.

Connor could see the sadness emanating from her eyes. He knew the source of it was homesickness. Braden had left Owl Creek for three years as a self-imposed penance for the accident that had killed Piper’s father. He’d later confided in Connor about the deep sense of isolation he’d experienced due to missing his family members and friends. Connor imagined Ella felt the same way. He didn’t want to ply her with questions about her sister or do anything to accentuate her sorrow.

“I came to ask you if you wanted to grab lunch.” Connor blurted out the invitation. The words had poured out of his mouth like water from a faucet. Lunch? Where had that idea come from? All he’d been planning to do was to deliver the good news to Ella and then head back to the factory. It wasn’t like him to veer so wildly off course. Evidently, this woman brought it out in him.

“I’d love to go to lunch,” Ella said, smiling at him as she answered. “If you can wait fifteen minutes or so until Sage’s class leaves.”

“I can wait,” he said with a nod. “I’ll get out of your hair until the kids clear out.” Connor beat a fast path to the door, stepping outside into the frosty air. As a cold breeze whipped across his face, Connor let it wash over him. All of a sudden he had no actual clue as to what he was doing. He wasn’t used to acting so spontaneously. He’d always thought things out and acted in a deliberate manner.

What am I doing? Sharing a meal with Ella wasn’t taking a step back as he’d vowed to do. He was getting in deeper and deeper without an exit strategy.

* * *

Sitting across from Connor at the Snowy Owl Diner was an unexpected development in Isabelle’s day. To say she’d been surprised by his unannounced appearance at the chocolate shop would be a major understatement. Try as she might, Isabelle couldn’t convince herself that she should have turned his invitation down. Being around him made her feel good. And it was flattering that someone like Connor would ask her out to lunch when most of the women in town would jump at the chance. Working at the shop gave her an opportunity to listen to the chatter of the customers and her staff members. Connor North was a hot commodity in Owl Creek. From the sounds of it, he had dated prolifically, yet he hadn’t ever had a steady love interest.

Frankly, his romantic history in town was none of her business. He was free to date half the town if he so desired. This wasn’t a date! It was merely a simple lunch between friends.

Isabelle focused on the menu, even though she knew exactly what she was ordering. The salmon cakes with a cup of crab stew would make for a divine lunch. Looking at Connor across the table was akin to falling into the void. Why did he have the most piercing blue eyes? And the steadiest gaze. It always made her feel as if he could see straight through her. She shivered at the idea that he knew she was a woman harboring secrets.

By the time the waitress had arrived at their table and taken their orders, she and Connor had started up a conversation about the best places to spot rare species of birds in Owl Creek. Isabelle was really intrigued by the idea of bird-watching in Alaska. If anyone had told her a year ago she would be contemplating such an activity, she would have laughed herself silly.

Isabelle took a long sip of her hot cocoa. It felt nice to be inside and away from the cold. She still hadn’t gotten used to being bundled up all the time and the frequent snowstorms. Perhaps years from now she would be acclimated to Alaska.

“So, I actually brought you out to lunch to celebrate.”

“Celebrate what?” she asked. He’d completely piqued her curiosity. It was flattering to think he’d chosen her as a companion to revel in good news.

He reached into his bag and pulled out a folder. Connor handed it to her with a flourish.

“Congratulations,” he said. “You’ve been chosen as employee of the week by Beulah. That’s your certificate. I’ve also got flowers and some goodies you can take with you.” He handed her the bag he’d carried in. “She’s really proud of the hard work and extra hours you’ve put in.”

“Me?” she asked, feeling incredulous. “But I haven’t worked for the company for very long.”

“Well, what can I say? Beulah makes those distinctions and she really sang your praises. It isn’t easy working for the North Star Chocolate Company when you don’t have a background in chocolate. You’ve made a tremendous effort to learn your craft. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

Warmth flooded her cheeks. It was an exhilarating feeling to know that she’d made a difference. She had always been a hard worker, but she hadn’t always been proud of her work environment at Club Oasis. This was different from any other job she’d ever held. Isabelle felt a deep sense of pride in wor

king for such a prestigious chocolatier.

“I... I don’t know what to say.” Her eyes moistened with emotion. This time the tears stemmed from a joyful place. It was a wonderful feeling to finally be happy about something after a long period of being fearful and uncertain. Perhaps this was a milestone. Maybe she was finally stepping out into the light.

Connor reached over and placed his hand over hers. “Savor the moment. You’ve earned it.”

Isabelle nodded. It was hard for her to toot her own horn, but she knew that the recognition from Beulah was a game changer. Ever since she’d arrived in Owl Creek, she had been afraid to be herself. It was almost as if she’d been walking around with a costume on this entire time. The employee of the week distinction was an acknowledgment of her strong work ethic. Even though she’d been raised to be humble, Isabelle wanted to bask in Beulah’s kudos for a few moments. It made her feel as if she was on top of the world. Something told her it might not last, since her life under the Witness Protection Program was stressful and unpredictable.

She was feeling a bit emotional after Connor’s news about her employee of the week award. All of the employees she worked with at the store were hardworking and diligent. Compared to the late nights she’d spent working at Club Oasis in Miami, her position at North Star Chocolates was delightful. She was now working normal hours as opposed to heading into work at night and not getting off until the wee hours of the morning. And she always felt safe.

When the waitress returned with their food, Isabelle found her appetite had lessened due to her excitement. She took a few bites of her salmon cakes while Connor voraciously tucked in to his pollack, french fries and coleslaw.

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