Page 21 of An Alaskan Wedding (Alaskan Grooms 1)

“I’m sorry about...well, you know. What Honor said about your girlfriend stepping out on you. Clearly, she spoke out of anger, but it was all kinds of wrong for her to bring that up.”

Grace didn’t know the half of it! He wasn’t about to tell her the nitty-gritty details of Diana’s grand deception or how it had affected him. It might fall under the category of “too much information.” At the time it had felt as if his heart might shatter. He’d come to realize that his pride had been hurt more than anything. It was hard to hold your head up high as a law enforcement officer when the whole town knew you’d been played for a fool. Now at least he could discuss it without feeling as if a knife was lodged in his back.

“It’s water under the bridge. Diana actually did me a favor. I’d been looking at engagement rings for a few months before I discovered she was running around with a high school buddy of mine. Finding out someone betrayed you and lied to you over and over again is difficult to process. It was painful, but it’s better I found out before we walked down the aisle, right?”

He cast a glance at Grace. She resembled a deer caught in the headlights. For a woman who appeared to have an opinion about everything, she seemed at a loss for words. Rather than speak, she simply nodded her head. They settled into the silence, with Grace peering out the window as he navigated the snow-packed roads with all the finesse and care of a man who’d grown up in Alaska and knew the inherent dangers of the wintry weather.

“You don’t owe me any apologies, Boone.” Grace’s voice cut into the silence. “You came to find me in the woods and took me to your brother’s house for medical treatment. After all that he’s lost and with everything he’s going through, Liam didn’t have to open up his home to me. But he did. That means a lot to me. What happened between you and Honor was real. Frankly, I wish my family was more like yours.”

Grace’s voice sounded so poignant, it stirred something deep inside him.

“Your family doesn’t hash things out?”

“No,” she said in a quiet voice. “They stuff everything down so they won’t have to deal with it. But it only serves to create distance between us. We’re like pieces of drift ice, all floating near each other without ever connecting.”

Boone pulled into the Black Bear Cabins and put the car in park in front of Grace’s cabin just as she voiced her truths about her family.

“I’m sorry about that,” he said, turning toward her. “Connections with the people around us make our lives better... They make us stronger.” In profile, her expression appeared contemplative. She didn’t look in his direction. Instead she gazed down at her lap and fumbled with her bandaged fingers.

“It’s no big deal,” she muttered.

He reached out and lifted her chin up with his fingers. “Isn’t it?” he asked, instantly realizing he was in way over his head now that he’d touched Grace. The feelings she evoked in him were akin to a punch in the gut. An electric current flowed between them. Her full, ruby lips parted as if she knew instinctively where this was going. He moved toward Grace so that their faces were within inches of each other. The urge to kiss her was undeniable. Just as he was about to lower his head to plant a kiss on Grace’s lips, the sound of someone screaming her name shattered the tranquillity of the moment.

Grace closed her eyes in anticipation of Boone’s kiss. The truth was, she’d been wanting this kiss since the first time she laid eyes on him.

“Grace. I think Sophie is trying to get your attention.”

Boone’s voice jolted her out of her reverie. He wasn’t kissing her. Why wasn’t the sheriff of Love kissing her?

Her eyes fluttered open. Instead of gazing in her direction, Boone was staring at something outside of the passenger side window. Then she heard it. “Grace! Grace!” Sophie’s voice washed over her like a trombone.

She turned to look out her window. Sophie was standing there, snow falling all around her as she waved her arms in the air and screamed out her name. Grace let out a sigh. Sophie looked so endearing and sincere. Grace couldn’t even be upset with her for busting up the romantic mood between her and Boone.

Grace turned back toward Boone. If she wasn’t mistaken, he looked a little irritated. There were slight shadows under his eyes and a look of fatigue stamped on his face. It had been a long day for both of them.

“I guess we should call it a night,” Boone drawled, his dark eyes glinting in the light from the cabins.

“Thanks for everything,” she said, suddenly feeling shy in the aftermath of their almost kiss.

It had been an almost kiss, hadn’t it? Unless of course she’d read the whole thing wrong. Oh, no! She’d closed her eyes and parted her lips. What must he think of her?

“Let me get the door for you.” Boone stepped down from the truck and quickly made his way around to her door. Once he opened it, he took her hand as she stepped down.

“Oh, Grace. I’ve been so worried about you.” Sophie reached out and wrapped her arms around her. Although she’d never considered herself a hugger, it was nice to be greeted so warmly by Sophie. After so many years of feeling like she didn’t matter, she suddenly felt as if she did. This sensation might even trump the discomfort and fear she’d experienced being lost in the Nottingham Woods.

“Thanks for sending the cavalry to the rescue. If you hadn’t raised the alarm, I’m not sure what might have happened.” She shivered at the thought of it. It was nice, she realized, having connections with people who cared

about your well-being. She’d never had a security blanket before.

Sophie beamed at her. “I’ve got your back. What are girlfriends for?”

“Ladies, you should get inside,” Boone advised. “Grace shouldn’t be exposed to frigid temperatures right now.” After waving at Boone, Sophie tugged on Grace’s arm and led her toward the porch.

All of a sudden Grace remembered something she’d forgotten to tell Boone. Something important. She turned around and called out to him. “Boone. Wait.”

He stopped in his tracks as she walked over to him. His big brown eyes were full of curiosity. “You’re a great big brother. Any girl would be blessed to have you.” The words came out in a rush. “I just wanted to tell you that.” Even though she believed he could have handled things better with Honor and her boyfriend, she admired the way he loved and protected his little sister. It was clear he had her best interest at heart. He needed to know that.

Boone nodded in acknowledgment. He grinned at her, showcasing a pearly smile. “That means a lot. Thanks for telling me. Good night, Gracie.”

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