Page 38 of An Alaskan Wedding (Alaskan Grooms 1)

Misadventures in Love

There is a woman shortage in Love, Alaska. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. And despite the male residents’ constant speculation as to the whys and wherefores of the situation, it seems pretty straightforward to this city girl. Male chauvinists. Neanderthals masquerading as modern-day men. Adult men who brawl over women in cafés. Town sheriffs who spend their time on coffee breaks instead of keeping law and order in their town.

On and on she went until she felt as if she’d purged herself of all her fury and resentment. It felt good to vent. It felt good to lash out. When she finished the column Grace pressed the send button, feeling a sense of victory rush through her as she watched her article enter cyberspace. Now, she just had one more thing to do before she abandoned this frozen tundra masquerading as a village. She wasn’t sticking around this town just to have more abuse heaped on her.

She really didn’t belong here in the first place. Having feelings for the sheriff didn’t mean she was going to give up her life in New York to become his Alaskan bride. Sure, she’d thought about what it would be like to settle down here in Love. But giving up her career wasn’t something she could easily do. It was an essential part of her identity.

It was just as well that she nipped this whole situation in the bud and headed back home. She had more than enough material to finish the Operation Love series without being planted in the wilds of Alaska.

It wasn’t as if she was running away from the situation. Before she booked a one-way flight out of Love, she was going to make a big splash at the emergency town council meeting. According to Hazel they were meeting tonight to discuss the downturn in Love’s economy and implement new strategies to stimulate growth.

In a perfect world she would have worn her nude heels with this dress, but given the weather, Hazel’s boots made the most sense. She cast a glance in the mirror. Her outfit showed she meant business. She was wearing a dark blazer with her dress and a demure set of pearl earrings. It was the perfect outfit to make a surprise appearance at the town meeting.

Boone Prescott had caught her off guard earlier. He’d mistaken her kindness for weakness and lashed out at her in a completely unacceptable fashion. All she’d been guilty of was trying to be nice to Jasper. He’d misinterpreted everything and called her actions into question. There was a loneliness that hovered around the mayor like a lingering shadow. Although she knew it was tied up with losing the great love of his life, it still struck her as something that should have faded with time. She’d seen the way Hazel looked at Jasper. If only Jasper could see there were still opportunities to love and be loved. It was too bad his sanctimonious grandson didn’t seem to care one bit about his quality of life.

Humph! If it was the last thing she did in this rinky-dink town, she was going to give the sheriff of Love a piece of her mind.

* * *

“And that, my fellow council members, is my recommendation for our Founder’s Day celebration.” Dwight Lewis, town treasurer, concluded his report with his usual dramatic flair. He bowed at the waist as if he was greeting royalty.

Boone felt his eyelids growing heavier by the second. He’d been fighting this battle against drowsiness ever since the meeting started an hour ago. Town meetings were duller than the shine on his most scuffed-up pair of cowboy boots.

He couldn’t stop thinking about Grace. Blowing up at her had been wrong of him, and he’d been regretting it ever since she’d left without a word. Seeing the look of hurt flash in her eyes had been painful. He’d felt like a bully. For so long he’d considered himself the official head of the Prescott family, the one who protected all the others from harm. He’d lashed out at Grace because of fear. Jasper wasn’t getting any younger, and he was terrified of losing him. So many things were up in the air with his loved ones. Grace had been the scapegoat for all his worries.

The things he’d said to her filled him with shame. He didn’t like hurting people. Especially Grace. Those quivering lips and wet eyelashes had done a number on him. A part of him wondered if it had been his way of pushing her away a little bit after they’d connected at the skating party and shared that unforgettable kiss. She’d nudged her way into his heart at record speed. And he didn’t quite know what to do about all these feelings rumbling around inside him.

How in the world could he make it up to her? He wondered if she liked flowers. No! Shoes. She loved shoes. Maybe he could order a pair from some fancy online shoe vendor.

Boom. A crashing noise jolted him to attention. His eyes flew open at the sight of Grace standing in the doorway with one hand on her hip. Her hat was sitting off to the side, while the tip of her nose was the color of a strawberry. Suddenly, he was wide-awake.

“Miss Corbett,” Dwight said in a voice brimming with outrage, “it is highly unorthodox to come crashing into a town meeting.”

“I apologize for my interruption, but I came here to say my piece.” She tilted her head up. “Don’t worry, Dwight. This town won’t have to put up with me much longer. I’m ready to head back to New York City as soon as I can make the arrangements.” She shook her head and let out a loud harrumph sound. “By the way, I’ve been sitting out in the hallway waiting for an opportune time to come in. I’ve never in my life heard such a bunch of baloney wrapped up as good sense. Ever since I came to Love I’ve heard about all the financial problems and the doom and gloom hovering over this place like a dark cloud.”

Dwight shot up from his chair. “Are you just going to sit here and let her insult my report?” Dwight said with a loud sniff of disapproval.

Jasper shook his head. “Sit down, Dwight. You already had the floor.” He smiled in Grace’s direction. “Continue, Grace. Sorry for the interruption.”

Grace cleared her throat. “You have something right under your noses, if only you’d stop feeling sorry for yourselves long enough to notice.”

“Mind cluing us in?” Boone drawled.

* * *

She didn’t want to look at him, but he was practically boring a hole straight through her. And to add insult to injury, he had the nerve to look handsome in his dark jacket and slacks. It would be so much easier to ignore him if he looked like a troll.

She stuck out her foot and pointed. “These boots!”

Jasper’s bushy brows knit together. “Books. What about the books?” he asked.

“Boots,” Boone leaned toward Jasper and said in a raised voice. “You better start wearing that hearing aid, or you’re going to miss out on every conversation in town.”

Grace glared at Boone. “If I may be allowed to continue.” She swung her gaze toward the other council members, studiously avoiding looking in Boone’s direction. “These boots rival some of the biggest names in the business. They’re comfortable and well-made and stylish. Trust me. I’m a shoe girl. I know what

I’m talking about. I spend way more money than I should on shoes. And I’ve got quite a few boots in my collection. Cha-ching, if you know what I mean.”

“My boots!” Hazel shrieked, a delighted expression etched on her face. “You actually think they’re worth something?”

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