Page 40 of Hiding in Alaska (Home to Owl Creek 4)

The words crashed over him with the force of a tsunami. They were powerful and heart-wrenching and moving. And it caused his brain to go into overdrive.

His grandfather put his arm around him. “Let’s go inside. Get some rest. You have a lot of thinking to do.”

He did. And even though he needed to get plenty of rest in preparation for Braden’s wedding festivities, something told him he wasn’t going to sleep a wink tonight. He was going to do a deep dive on the internet, checking in places like Arizona and Florida to see if he could unearth anything about any criminal cases. Perhaps she’d been a victim of an assault or a stalking. If there was even a shred of information, Connor was determined to find it.

* * *

Isabelle sat in her truck and looked out her window at the festively decorated church. Flowers had been artfully placed by the entrance along with pink ribbons and an elaborate wedding banner. She watched as guests streamed into the church. Most of them she recognized from around town.

Isabelle had thought about not attending the wedding, but after realizing it wouldn’t be right not to show up, she’d decided to honor her commitment. She looked in the rearview mirror, checking to make sure her hair and lipstick were in order. She knew there was a chance she might run into Connor. Her stomach was full of butterflies about how she should react to seeing him, especially now that she knew she was in love with him. Should she casually say hello or avoid him at all costs? It would be for the best if their paths didn’t cross. It would be easier for both of them.

A quick glance at her watch served as a warning to go inside the church before Piper made her grand entrance. Once inside, she made a point to sit toward the rear. She didn’t want to draw any attention to herself. She’d already had a few townsfolk question her about the rumors about her and Connor over the past week. It had been very awkward and uncomfortable. Somehow she’d managed to answer them tactfully.

From her vantage point she was able to see Connor standing right next to Braden at the altar. Even at this distance he caused a riot of emotions within her. Most of all, a yearning to be with him tugged at her. If only the situation was different.

When the wedding march played, three adorable toddlers teetered down the aisle—a pair of brown-skinned twins, Faith and Lizzie, who she knew belonged to Rachel and Gabe, along with Addie, Hank and Sage’s little girl. The little ones practically stole the show until Piper appeared with Hank at her side. Connor had told her that Piper’s dad, Jack, had died four years ago in a snowmobile accident. Isabelle imagined having her brother standing in as a substitute was an emotional moment. Tears pooled in Ella’s eyes as she watched Piper, resplendent in a white lace and tulle long-sleeved dress, glide by. There was nothing but pure joy etched on her lovely face. She looked like a fairy-tale princess.

Isabelle dabbed at her eyes throughout the awe-inspiring ceremony. Their vows were achingly romantic. When Piper and Braden were declared man and wife, they joined hands and walked back down the aisle followed by their bridal party. As Isabelle spotted Connor approaching, she braced herself for him to look away from her, but as he passed by, their eyes met. The way he stared at her caused her pulse to quicken. Instead of anger, Isabelle saw tenderness.

Stop being fanciful, she urged herself. If nothing else, Connor had made his feelings quite clear to her. He didn’t think she was a good person. That realization still hurt.

Isabelle waited till the church was almost empty before she exited. Given the circumstances, she didn’t think she would go to the reception at the North estate. It wouldn’t feel right since she and Connor were at odds. He should be able to enjoy his brother’s special day without any distractions. That’s what she was at this point.

When she pushed open the door and walked into the vestibule area, Isabelle sucked in a shocked breath. Connor was standing a few feet away with an earnest expression on his face. It was just the two of them in the corridor. Her first instinct was to retreat, but if the last few months had taught her anything at all, it was to tap into her inner strength. Fear thou not; for I am with thee. She wasn’t standing alone. He was always with her.

“Ella. It’s good to see you.” His deep, soothing voice was music to her ears.

Her stomach lurched. Why did he have to look so handsome in his dark suit and tie? Had his eyes always been so blue? It was true what they said. Absence made the heart grow fonder. Isabelle knew down to the days and hours how long it had been since they’d spoken to each other. She ached from missing him.

“Hey, Connor. How are you?” Isabelle forced the words out of her mouth. She was desperate to appear as if her heart hadn’t been crushed.

“I’d like to talk to you, if it’s all right?” he asked.

“Don’t you need to go to the reception?” Isabelle knew the bridal party and the family usually departed together. No doubt they would be looking for Connor outside.

“It can wait. I told them to go on without me.”

Isabelle nodded. “Okay,” she said, her mind whirling with questions. What could he possibly want to talk to her about? Hadn’t they already said it all? Her heart began

to thunder wildly inside her chest. Was she being fired from North Star Chocolates? That would be a devastating blow.

She raised a hand to her throat. “Are you letting me go from the chocolate shop?” she asked. What would she do for work now in Owl Creek? Did this mean she would be forced to relocate?

“Of course not,” he said. “Why would you ever think that?”

She let out a sigh of relief. “I... I really love working there and I just thought—”

“I’m sorry, Ella,” he said, cutting her off. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. About you. About the things I know you’re keeping under wraps. The fear. Your inability to open up to me. The sketchy details about your life. I kept going back to that day in the chocolate shop when the car backfired. You were terrified. Now that I think about it, you were exhibiting signs of post-traumatic stress.” He took a deep breath. “I think you witnessed an act of violence. I think you’re here because you’re a witness. A few years ago Hank told Gabe and me about a program where witnesses to violent crimes are placed under protection and given a new identity.” His voice suddenly sounded hoarse. “I think that’s you, Ella.”

She let out a sob, then covered her mouth with her hand. Shock roared through her. Connor continued talking.

“I did some fishing around on the internet last night. At first I was searching Arizona cases, but then I looked in Florida since you mentioned spending time there. That’s when I found it. You provided testimony after witnessing your boss’s murder. Because of you, he was put away for a long time. But it didn’t stop his criminal enterprise from coming after you. Which, I suspect, is why you might have entered WITSEC. To save your life.” He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it before holding it out to her. “This is you, isn’t it? Isabelle Sanchez from Miami, Florida.”

Isabelle looked at the printout of the newspaper article. It was all there in black and white. She wiped away tears with the back of her hand. The rules of the WITSEC program didn’t stipulate what to do if the person you were madly in love with came to you with decisive proof about your former identity. He was holding the evidence in his hands. She’d done her very best to protect herself and to uphold the standards of the program. But this was an extraordinary development in her story.

Her heart began to thunder in her chest. Because Connor had stumbled upon the truth, her status in WITSEC could be compromised. She might be relocated from Owl Creek to another location. She might have to say goodbye to Connor. The very thought of it caused a twisting sensation in her gut. Words were stuck in her throat.

“I’m sorry for not being gentler with you. I let my pride and my past get the better of me. I’m ashamed of how I acted. I’m asking you to forgive me, but I understand if you can’t.” He reached out and took her hand. “I want to move forward with you. I know your life is complicated and fraught with danger, but I’m prepared to never divulge a word of this to a single person.”

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