Page 6 of Hiding in Alaska (Home to Owl Creek 4)

Although her head was spinning with all the details, she was beginning to feel enthused about working at the chocolate shop. She knew she had a lot to learn about the company, and as manager, she would be in charge of the store as well as its employees. Once Sage and Beulah finished showing her around and introduced her to the employees, they sat down in the café portion of the shop and enjoyed cups of North Star’s signature hot chocolate.

“You weren’t exaggerating when you raved about the hot cocoa,” Isabelle said after taking several sips of the delicious treat.

“Thank you. I’d tell you the secret ingredient but it’s a North family secret,” Beulah said, winking at her. Her eyes twinkled with delight. Isabelle had the feeling Beulah North was a unique individual with many different facets to her.

Isabelle chuckled. “I don’t blame you one bit. The recipe is pure gold.”

“Speaking of family, what does yours think about this move to Alaska?” Sage asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

Isabelle’s mind went blank. What could she say? That her family was devastated by her decision to enter WITSEC? Should she explain that the minimal risks to her family members’ lives hadn’t justified their participation in the program?

“I don’t have much family to speak of,” she answered. She felt awful for denying the existence of her large, bustling family, but it would be better in the long run so it wouldn’t look strange not to mention them. Cutting her family out of her past, present and future was her new reality.

Beulah made a tutting sound. “I’m sorry to hear that, but in a town like Owl Creek, it won’t be long before you’ll be considered as one of our own.”

Sage flashed a wide grin. “I can attest to that!”

“Well, I hate to drink and run, but I need to head over to the factory for a meeting. Sage will stay with you and show you the ropes,” Beulah explained. “We’ll have to get you over there one day

this week. I’d love for you to meet the team and see how the chocolate is created and assembled. Even after all these years I find it fascinating.”

Isabelle didn’t dare tell Beulah that she’d already met her grandson. She still felt mortified about being responsible for Connor’s fall. The very last thing she wanted to do was cause Beulah to think badly of her. Maybe in the future she would look back on the incident and find it hysterically funny, but at the moment it was humiliating.

Way to make a wonderful first impression on her boss’s family, she scolded herself. She wouldn’t blame Connor if he was questioning why Beulah had hired her in the first place. Although he’d treated her with an abundance of kindness yesterday, Isabelle knew he had just been doing his job as the company’s ambassador.

A man like Connor North had the world in the palm of his hand. He was good-looking, charming and one of the heirs to a chocolate empire. She imagined he had his fair share of admirers. He was what her mother called a catch. If the situation was different, Isabelle wouldn’t mind getting to know him better. But it simply wasn’t possible. Any type of relationship—whether a casual flirtation or something more meaningful—was off the table. It wouldn’t be fair to get close to someone and have to lie to them about the most important parts of herself.

According to the rules of WITSEC, she could never divulge her former identity to anyone, not even her future spouse. As a result, Isabelle knew she would never settle down or have children. It was hard enough having to live a life filled with so many fabrications, but she refused to drag anyone else into the mess. She’d grown up watching her parents enjoy a marriage based on mutual trust and admiration. They were best friends and partners who finished each other’s sentences. And she couldn’t imagine either one harboring secrets from the other. To this day they were completely in love with each other. They even had weekly date nights that they never missed. Ana and Rio Sanchez were her romantic ideals.

If she couldn’t aspire to that type of partnership—where truth reigned supreme—then she didn’t intend to have one at all. Not ever.

* * *

Connor had a million things to do at work, but somehow he’d ended up on Main Street standing in front of the North Star Chocolate Shop. It was only one block away from the chocolate factory where he worked, so it had been a simple walk to get over here. The shop was a great draw for both the townsfolk and tourists, while the factory was where all the confections were made and packaged.

Just the sight of the store made him grin. His first job had been working the register after school. It had taught him about discipline, hard work and his family’s legacy. And even though he’d loved chocolate since he came out of the womb, he had fallen in love with it all over again. Seeing the joy it brought to customers had been a life-changing experience. He’d known at that moment that he didn’t want to do anything other than work for the North Star Chocolate Company for the rest of his life.

Curiosity about Beulah’s new hire had been nipping at his mind all morning long. Was Ella enjoying working at the chocolate shop? Was she feeling at all overwhelmed about settling down in a small Alaskan town? He couldn’t help but wonder if she would stay in Owl Creek. Occasionally, newcomers who weren’t used to the harsh weather and the Alaskan way of life had packed up and left without giving Owl Creek a fair chance.

He pushed the shop door open and inhaled the sweet scent that was as familiar to him as his own name. Being here felt like going back to his roots. The sights, smells and sounds were awakening all of his senses. It made him smile to see so many townsfolk milling about the shop, excited about picking out their favorite chocolates. He immediately spotted Ella standing behind the counter with his sister. The two women were chatting amiably as if they’d known each other for years.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” Connor said as he walked toward them.

Although he tried not to stare, he couldn’t seem to look away from Ella. With her hair swept away from her face, her stunning features were on full display. Her attire was professional and stylish. She looked right at home in the shop.

“Hey, Connor. What brings you over here?” Sage asked. “Are you checking up on me?”

Before he could answer, she continued speaking. “Ella, this is my brother, Connor North. Connor, this is Ella Perez, our new store manager.”

“We’ve already met,” Connor said, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement at the memory of their first meeting at the Snowy Owl.

“At the diner,” Ella said as she shot him a pointed look. Clearly, she didn’t want Sage to know about the incident with the syrup. He sent her a slight nod, letting her know her secret was safe with him. He didn’t want to do anything to make her uncomfortable. As it was, he felt pretty guilty about telling his grandmother she might be concealing something. He knew he had to make it up to Ella in some way for doubting her authenticity.

“I’m glad you stumbled upon the Snowy Owl,” Sage said. “My sister-in-law, Piper, is the owner, and she makes the best flapjacks in the state of Alaska.”

“I’ll remember that for next time,” Ella said, grinning.

“So, how are things going?” he asked. “I hope your first day has been enjoyable.”

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