Page 42 of An Alaskan Wedding (Alaskan Grooms 1)

What if she wrote a hopeful article about Love? One that focused on the hardworking townsfolk and the attempts to revitalize the town. She could focus on the popularity of the Moose Café and the successful fishermen who’d been providing fish as export for generations. And if she wrote about Hazel’s boots, perhaps it could create a little buzz about them. Maybe that way it wouldn’t sting so badly when the truth came out.

“Your secret is safe with me. It isn’t mine to tell,” Grace said.

“Thank you, Grace,” Sophie said, closing her eyes as she let out a sigh of relief.

“What’s all the ruckus back here?” Hazel poked her head in the kitchen door. “We need someone to make some frappés.”

“I’ll do it,” Grace volunteered, surprising herself by speaking up. Even though she was far from an expert, she was learning the ropes at the café and serving up tasty drinks that more times than not earned her compliments from the customers. Despite the daily challenges, she liked working at the Moose Café. Most of all she liked being part of a community. She enjoyed serving the customers and having conversations with them about everything under the sun.

Day by day she was settling more and more into the fabric of this town. Every moment she spent in Boone’s presence only served to heighten her feelings for him. And even though it gave her a sense of peace it also scared her a little bit, because she had no idea how she was going to untangle herself from all the lies she’d told since arriving in Love.

* * *

That evening she borrowed Hazel’s truck and carefully navigated the snow-packed roads to Boone’s rustic stone-and-cedar home nestled in the wooded area near Deer Run Lake. She was proud of herself for tackling the driving issue head-on. It was yet another thing to check off her list.

Boone, dressed in jeans and a cream sweater, opened the door with Kona at his side. Her insides did flip-flops at the sight of him. His sandy hair looked a little rumpled, as if he’d just awoken from a nap. She resisted the impulse to reach out and smooth it down.

“Come on in, Gracie. You look beautiful.”

His compliment swept over her like a gentle breeze. She’d grown up in a household where it was considered vain to focus on looks. Her parents had never even told her she was pretty. Nothing felt better than to hear it from Boone’s lips.

“Your home is lovely,” Grace said, admiring the gleaming pine floors and the elaborate stone fireplace.

He gestured her to follow him down the hall. “I’ve got something on the stove.”

When she entered his light and airy kitchen, a tangy smell rose to her nostrils. Her stomach rumbled in appreciation. She looked over at Boone. He was at the stove stirring a pot of chili. A pan of corn bread sat on the stove right next to a covered dish. A big bowl of salad sat on the butcher block counter.

“You made all this?” she asked. She could hear the surprise ringing out in her voice.

“Of course I did,” he said with a laugh. “I love to cook.”

Score! A man who enjoyed cooking. Yet again, Boone was surprising her. What was next? Was he going to start reciting Shakespearean sonnets or drawing masterpieces? So far, he’d demonstrated he was a man of many talents.

“Can I do anything?” she asked as she took in the cozy kitchen. Copper pots hung from a rack, white and gray tiles accented the space behind his stove and the hardwood floors gleamed. It was the type of kitchen she could imagine herself cooking meals for a family in. A room where she and Boone might cook a meal together as they listened to romantic music on the radio or recounted the events of their day to one another. Hmm. How had her thoughts wandered so easily toward a shared future?

“If you wouldn’t mind setting the table, that would be great.” Boone threw out the suggestion and Grace immediately began laying out the plates and cutlery for three people.

The sound of halting footsteps heralded Jasper’s arrival. He showed up in the doorway leaning on his crutches, just as Boone was putting the finishing touches on his chili. Within minutes they were all seated at the table, with Boone saying the blessing. “Lord, bless this food for the nourishment of our bodies and our souls. I’m very thankful to be sharing a meal with two very special people. Thank You, Lord, for all our blessings.”

They ate in companionable silence. A few times Jasper stopped to praise Boone’s cooking. Grace was impressed. No man had ever cooked a meal for her like this one.

Finally, Jasper placed his fork down on the table and wiped his mouth with his napkin. His eyes were trained on Boone. “So, what’s this all about? I know you didn’t invite me here for my good looks.”

Grace looked over at Boone, who gave her a slight nod of encouragement.

“There’s something we’d like to talk to you about. Something important,” Grace hedged. She bit the inside of her lip, unsure how to proceed. Since Boone had always discouraged Jasper in his pursuit of the family treasure, he thought Grace should be the one to break the bad news. That way, Jasper wouldn’t suspect his grandson was simply trying to discourage him in his pursuits.

“Wait a minute!” Jasper cried out. “Is this an engagement announcement?”

Boone rolled his eyes. “No, Jasper. This has nothing to do with Gracie and me.”

“Humph! Okay. If you say so,” Jasper grumbled. “Would have been nice to say my grandson was the first person who made it down the aisle under Operation Love.”

Boone none too subtly jabbed his grandfather with his elbow. Grace didn’t miss the warning look he sent in his grandfather’s direction. If she wasn’t dreading telling Jasper what her research had revealed, she might have laughed at the dynamic between the two men.

“Can’t blame me for hoping,” Jasper muttered.

Hope. Jasper was a man who lived every day of his life with hope in his heart. It was the reason she was dreading this conversation. She prayed this information would provide discernment.

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