Page 5 of Hiding in Alaska (Home to Owl Creek 4)

He imagined she knew very little about Alaskan living. He had only been to Arizona a few times on business, but it was clear to him how vastly different it was from Owl Creek. He couldn’t imagine it would be easy for Ella to get her bearings while navigating a new job. She didn’t know a soul here in town and she’d probably left family and friends behind in Arizona. As a hometown boy, Connor had only left Owl Creek in order to attend college in Anchorage. Unlike Ella, he’d only been a short flight away from home and his loved ones.

A feeling of shame seized him. Instead of harboring suspicions about Ella, he should be wholeheartedly welcoming her to the North Star Chocolate fold. He should be trying to help her get acclimated. In a perfect world he would be more like his grandmother. He let out a ragged sigh. The truth nagged at him. He hadn’t healed from his family’s trauma, and he wasn’t sure he ever would.

* * *

Isabelle let out a huge sigh of relief as she turned off Route 65. She had driven by the turnoff several times without realizing she should have taken the right turn rather than continuing straight ahead. Seeing a Moose Crossing sign a few miles back had caused her adrenaline to race. She had immediately slowed down to five miles an hour out of an abundance of caution. Thankfully her new home wasn’t too far from town. If she hadn’t gotten confused with the GPS directions, it would have only been a ten-minute ride. At least she didn’t have to travel too far to reach her place of employment.

When she pulled up to 10 Kodiak Lane, she felt a huge sense of relief at being safely home.

Home. She felt a little hitch in her heart at the notion that this quaint little abode now belonged to her. Once she made her way inside the house, Isabelle sank down onto the sofa and pressed her eyes shut. Her temple was pounding with a tension headache. Everything was beginning to weigh her down. Tomorrow was her niece’s second birthday, and she’d be missing the special celebration. It was breaking Isabelle’s heart knowing she would miss all of Celia’s birthdays and special occasions from this point forward. Celia would grow up without knowing Isabelle. Her sister, Denise, was her best friend and closest confidante. Who would she go to the movies with? Who would wish her a happy birthday? Or cheer for her when she experienced a triumph?

Tears slid down her face as a feeling of hopelessness swept over her. In the morning she would have to report to work at the North Star Chocolate Shop and put on a brave face. It would be a huge step in the development of her new identity. But she didn’t feel courageous or strong in the slightest bit. Isabelle felt as if she might crack into a million little pieces at any given moment. And sadly, if she did, there wouldn’t be anyone who cared enough about her to pick up the pieces.

Chapter Three

Morning came well before Isabelle was ready to leave the coziness of her down comforter and heated blanket. She let out a groan as her alarm blared, putting an end to her peaceful slumber. She’d been a little chilly last night and she’d rummaged around in the hall closet looking for bedding since she couldn’t locate the thermostat in the furnished rental. Her footed pajamas, along with the comfy blankets, made her feel as if she was snuggled in a cocoon and she was reluctant to get up.

After dragging herself out of bed, Isabelle fixed herself some oatmeal and coffee before heading back upstairs to wash up and get dressed. She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. She’d pulled her long black hair back into a ponytail. She was only wearing a light d

usting of concealer and mascara. In her black sweater and matching slacks, she looked competent and professional. Isabelle took a deep breath and began to recite her daily mantra.

“You cannot go home. You cannot contact anyone from your former life. Don’t do anything to raise suspicions. If you follow the rules, you’ll be safe.”

Just saying the words out loud felt surreal. She felt like one of those hapless women from a TV movie. How on earth had her life spiraled out of control so quickly? The last few months had been a living nightmare with each day bleaker than the last. It had been bad enough to witness a brutal crime, but things had taken a turn for the worse once the authorities asked her to provide testimony against Burke, who’d put a hit out on her. Several harrowing attempts had been made on her life. Although each one had been unsuccessful, the fear escalated with each attempt.

She shook her head, willing herself not to go down this road. Today was her first workday in Owl Creek. A rush of adrenaline raced through her. It reminded her of the way she’d felt on the first day of school—nervous mixed with excited. In order to maintain her sanity, she needed to embrace everything Owl Creek had to offer. Moping around wouldn’t serve any purpose other than to dampen her spirits even further. She needed to stay hopeful and grounded in her new reality. Her life wasn’t over, even though it sometimes felt like it. Maybe she would fall in love with her managerial position at the chocolate shop. Perhaps Owl Creek would be an answer to all of her most fervent prayers. She yearned to feel safe, despite the fact that she’d had to move so far away from home and sever all ties with her former life in order to make it happen. Suddenly, she was second-guessing herself. Had she made the right choice in entering WITSEC? Maybe she’d allowed fear to guide her decision.

Lord, please help me to have a positive outlook as I take these first few steps in Owl Creek. I’m so frightened, and I feel so alone. I’ve never been without my family. Help me navigate my way through the darkness.

As she drove toward town, Isabelle made sure she traversed the roads carefully. Driving over snow-packed roads wasn’t for the faint of heart as she was beginning to realize from firsthand experience. She gripped the steering wheel tightly as the tires slid over an icy patch. Her nerves were on edge.

You can do this. Her mother’s voice buzzed in her ear, enveloping her like a warm embrace. Isabelle missed her more than she could ever express in words. Though the Sanchez family had never had much in the way of material things, Mama had always given her children wings and allowed them to soar. The thought of never seeing Mama again or hearing the lilting tone of her voice gutted her. Hot tears pooled in her eyes.

Do not cry! she urged herself. Today was not the day to break down. She needed to establish herself in this town and get her bearings in her place of employment. Despite her stomach being tied up in knots, Isabelle had to project an air of composure. It was going to be way harder than she had ever imagined. This was where her faith would be more important to her than ever.

“‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,’” Isabelle said, reciting the verse from Philippians as a calming mechanism. She often drew from Bible passages in troubled times. This one was no different.

By the time the shops on Main Street came into view, she had managed to collect herself. The white chalet-style shop looked even more charming this morning. She pulled into the back lot as she’d been instructed and parked. Walking inside the North Star Chocolate Shop felt like stepping into a whole new world. The interior was done in shades of gold and cream with splashes of brown and pink. A small chandelier hung above a display case that was a chocolate lover’s dream. The aroma filled her nostrils, and she felt a heady sensation to be surrounded by so much chocolate.

“Good morning. You must be Ella!” A very distinguished-looking woman greeted her from behind the counter. With her jet-black hair streaked with silver and a widow’s peak, the woman had a striking appearance. “I’m Beulah North,” she said, sticking out her hand in greeting as she moved toward Isabelle.

Isabelle reached out and shook hands with her new boss. “Yes, I’m Ella Perez. It’s great to meet you in person, Mrs. North, after all of our phone conversations.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you face-to-face. You’re lovely,” Beulah crowed. “We’re mighty pleased to have you here in Owl Creek. Welcome to the North Star Chocolate family. And I’ll be offended if you don’t call me Beulah.”

Something about this dazzling woman made her smile. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she just knew they were going to be fast friends. “I’m happy to be here, Beulah.”

“This is my granddaughter, Sage Crawford,” Beulah said, turning toward the younger woman by her side.

Sage was beautiful in a girl-next-door kind of way. She radiated happiness. Sage smiled at Isabelle, and said, “Hi, Ella. We’re so happy you’ll be working with us. I just know you’re going to love being here.”

Isabelle waved her hand around the area. “What’s not to love? This place is fantastic. Every chocolate lover’s dream. If the chocolate is even half as good as it smells, I’ll be delighted.”

“Oh, our chocolate is divine,” Beulah crowed. “I’ll make sure to give you plenty of samples to take home with you tonight. Then you can tell us your favorites.”

“That sounds like a great homework assignment,” Isabelle said, garnering laughter from Sage and Beulah.

“Why don’t we give you the grand tour?” Sage suggested. Isabelle nodded, then followed behind the women as they led her around. Although she had worked in retail spaces before such as coffeehouses, clothing shops and bookstores, Isabelle had never been employed by a company the caliber of North Star Chocolate. Everywhere she looked were examples of excellence. Awards of distinction were framed on the wall. The display cases were filled with so many assortments of chocolates—Belgian chocolates, pecan clusters, chocolate-covered raisins, truffles, nonpareils and so many more, many of which she’d never heard of before.

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