Page 19 of An Alaskan Wedding (Alaskan Grooms 1)

Liam narrowed his eyes at him. He studied him for a moment before he answered. “Of course I’m sure, unless you know something I don’t.”

Sensing the tension, Grace looked back and forth between the two of them.

Liam sighed, his broad shoulders heaving. “Is there something else you want to ask me?”

“How long has she been back?” Boone spit the question out, his voice bristling with anger.

Liam looked up at him, his blue eyes weary. “Two days ago she showed up at my front door saying she completed her master’s degree early. Begged me not to call you.”

Boone chewed the inside of his cheek. “Did Declan fly her in?”

The thought of his best friend being involved in this conspiracy unsettled him. He’d been tight with Declan since they were little kids, and if he’d done this behind his back, it would feel like a betrayal. That possibility hurt him more than he could ever put in to words.

“Stop grilling Liam. If you want to know the answers to any questions about me, then you can go straight to the source.” Honor was standing at the threshold of the living room, her hands perched on her hips. A very familiar, defiant expression was etched on her face. “And for your information, it wasn’t Declan who flew me into Love.” She frowned. “He’s not the only pilot in Alaska.”

Relief flooded him. In the worst of times, he could always rely on Declan. When the Prescott family issues got too tangled, his best friend served as an excellent sounding board. He prayed it would never change.

“How long?” he spit out, his gaze focused on Honor.

“How long what?” Honor asked, her voice full of attitude.

“How long are you going to stay mad at me, ’cause this silent routine is getting really old.”

Although her fingers, face and toes were coming back to life, Grace was beginning to think she should run and take cover. Boone versus Honor was proving to be an epic showdown. Liam just looked worn-out, as if he’d heard this same argument too many times to count. Although she’d been curious about Boone and his siblings, she now felt that she knew way more about their relationships than she wanted to know.

She wasn’t taking sides, but she couldn’t help but feel badly for Boone. All he wanted to do was keep watch over his three siblings. From where she was standing, he seemed mighty heroic.

“You’ve never once apologized for sandbagging my life,” Honor shouted.

Boone’s arms were folded across his chest. “I won’t apologize for watching out for you.”

Honor fisted her hands at her side and let out a little scream. “Watching out for me? Is that what you call it? You ruined my life.”

Boone rolled his eyes. “That is so dramatic. I saved you from making the biggest mistake of your life.” He scoffed. “Married at eighteen to an unemployed troublemaker? Not on my watch.”

Liam shut his eyes and put his head in his hands. He muttered something unintelligible.

Honor pointed her finger at Boone. “You’re just bitter because the woman you loved cheated on you! Don’t take it out on me.”

A shocked silence filled the air. Grace watched Boone’s entire body go slack. He winced and shut his eyes for a brief moment. Grace looked down at her hands, swallowing past the hurt and embarrassment she felt on his behalf.

“Honor! That’s enough,” Liam said in a warning tone. He looked as if he might snap in two. From the first moment she’d seen Liam, there had been an air of sadness hovering over him like a shroud. Although he was cut from the same tall, dark and handsome mold as his brothers, there were dark shadows under his eyes and a look of utter defeat. He didn’t need a battle breaking out in his own home while his child was sleeping nearby.

“The two of you might want to quiet down to a dull roar. There’s a child sleeping down the hall.” Grace’s words drew both their attention. Honor frowned at her. Boone opened his mouth to say something but then shut it.

Liam shot her a grateful look. “Thanks, Grace. It’s nice to know there’s at least one other adult in the room.”

A rustling noise drew all their attention to the doorway where a little boy with chubby cheeks stood, his thumb firmly rooted in his mouth as he looked around the room. He was wearing a pair of footed pajamas with a fire truck on it. His hair was disheveled. He seemed to be about three or four years old.

“Uncle Boone.” Aidan padded his way over to Boone and held his hands straight up in the air.

Grace couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen such an adorable child. With his curly dark hair and big eyes, Aidan was the spitting image of his father.

“Hey, buddy. How are you doing?” Boone asked as he scooped up Aidan in his arms and rocked him side to side.

Grace felt a little short of breath as she watched Boone nuzzle his face into his nephew’s neck. Aidan’s tinkling laughter rang out in the room. Leave it to the kid to lighten the mood. His joy served to diffuse the anger and acrimony that had bubbled over like an overfilled pot.

Aidan tugged on Boone’s chin. “I love you, Uncle Boone.”

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