Page 43 of An Alaskan Wedding (Alaskan Grooms 1)

Grace ducked her head down and fumbled with her napkin. She felt as if a huge weight was sitting on her shoulders. This sweet, sentimental man was her friend and she didn’t want to crush him. Still she owed him the truth. “Jasper, I need to tell you something about the treasure.”

Jasper rubbed his hands together. “Don’t be shy. You know I love to talk treasure.”

“Well, this might not be the type of conversation you’re anticipating,” Boone warned.

Jasper looked back and forth between them, his expression wary.

“I looked at some online archives related to the Juneau Gold Rush,” Grace spit out. “The dates don’t match up. Bodine Prescott didn’t find gold in Juneau, Jasper.” She shook her head, feeling mournful. “It’s not possible since he drowned months before the first prospectors struck gold.”

“No, that can’t be right,” Jasper said in a raised voice. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

Boone leaned in and placed his hand on Jasper’s shoulder. “Gracie checked and double-checked. She looked at the archives. There’s a list of the men who found gold in Juneau. They had to register their claims. There’s nothing listed under Bodine Prescott.”

“Jasper, I think when Bodine and his brother went on that steamship they were trying to join an expedition in Juneau. I found some records to support that idea. He didn’t discover gold, but I think he was an adventurer who was eager to make history and help his family gain financial independence. He died in that pursuit.”

She got up and began to dig through her purse. She found the papers she was looking for and handed them to Jasper. Boone and Grace watched as Jasper began reading the document about the steamship tragedy and the men who’d been on their way to the adventure of a lifetime in Juneau. There was also a copy of Bodine’s death record. Jasper let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes. He didn’t say a word.

Tears filled her eyes. Even though they were doing the right thing by connecting the dots for Jasper, they were snatching away his dream, one he’d been chasing since he was a little boy.

Not able to stand the silence anymore, Grace spoke. “I’m really sorry about the treasure. I want you to know, I really hoped you’d find it.”

He patted her hand. “I know you did, sweetheart. And there’s no need to be sorry. Sometimes life throws us curveballs. It’s been a diversion, an opportunity to dream for a little while and escape my troubles.”

Jasper’s response surprised her. “But aren’t you disappointed? You’ve spent most of your life believing in it and looking for it.”

“True. But when it comes down to it, I’ve gained more than I lost. I was chasing something elusive. The love of my family, your friendship, Hazel, the fellowship of the residents of this town...that’s real. I can reach out and touch those things. My relationship with God is real.”

“You’re handling this really well, Grandpa. Is there anything we can do to help?” Boone asked.

“Aww. I love it when you call me Grandpa.” Jasper looked at his grandson, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Well, if you really want to help me, you’ll get married and make me a great-grandfather again so little Aidan can have a playmate.”

“Jasper!” Boone growled.

Grace looked back and forth between the two men. A giggle rose up inside her and burst forth, emerging as a hybrid of a snort and a chuckle. She covered her mouth with her hand and despite her best efforts, couldn’t contain her laughter. Jasper had been dealt a blow tonight, and he’d handled it with grace and aplomb. Rather than wallowing in self-pity, Jasper was being his usual playful self and teasing Boone. Jasper met her gaze and winked at her.

This was home, she thought. A place where you felt comfortable in your own skin no matter what was being laid on the table. Being able to turn sorrow into laughter and emerge all the stronger for the hardships that came your way. After a lifetime of wanting to be accepted, Grace knew she was firmly rooted in her nesting place. She loved New York City and all its wonders, but she chose Love, Alaska, and the sheriff who’d made a believer out of her. This was the home she’d always wanted. Right here with the man she’d fallen in love with. This was where she wanted her future to unfold, right here in Love. But with all the lies that were standing between her and Boone, she had no idea how she was going to find the courage to tell him the truth. Would he turn away from her if he knew?

Chapter Twelve

In the weeks and days after Grace’s discovery about the legend of Bodine Prescott, Boone grew a new measure of respect for his grandfather. Jasper didn’t wallow in the news or try to bury his head in the sand about the facts Grace had presented. He dealt with it with grace, charm and a good measure of humor. Watching the way he handled himself showed Boone a lot about humility and wisdom.

Rather than dwelling on anything he’d lost, Jasper had decided to focus on Grace’s idea about Hazel’s boots. Tonight’s town council meeting would be held at the Moose Café in order for the townsfolk to weigh in on the proposed plans to start mass-producing the boots and creating a corporation to oversee it. There was a lot of buzz surrounding the meeting and a sense of excitement and anticipation pulsed in the air.

By the time Boone arrived at the meeting, it was standing room only. Grace, wearing a fuzzy pink sweater and a matching skirt, stood up from across the room and waved at him. She pointed to the seat next to hers and motioned him over. Curious eyes swung in their direction, but he shrugged off the attention. Pretty soon the whole town would be buzzing about Sheriff Prescott and the beautiful barista.

“I saved it for you,” she said as soon as he reached her side, removing the coat resting on the seat.

“Thanks. This place is packed,” he said, feeling a sense of contentment about Grace saving a spot for him. It was little things like this that warmed his heart almost to the point of overflowing. It was a new feeling for him. And sometimes he just wanted to shout it out from the rooftops.

“I’m not sure I know what to say,” Grace whispered. A nervous tremor danced alongside her jaw. She fiddled with her fingers.

Boone put his arm around her. “Say exactly what you said at the last town council meeting. With the same amount of passion and conviction. You’ll have them eating out of your hands.”

Grace smiled at him. She began to relax right before his eyes. “Thanks for the pep talk. I just want everyone in town to realize that the boots are a great investment with wonderful potential for growth,” Grace said in a determined voice.

Boone chuckled. “Sounds like you have your presentation all figured out.”

Within minutes Jasper called the meeting to order. Boone quickly scanned the room. He nodded in the direction of a few people who made eye contact. Cameron waved at him and shook his head at the large crowd. Hank Jeffries was seated front and center, no doubt in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Grace. Gunther and Wanda held hands at a table. It seemed everyone’s curiosity had been piqued by the topic of tonight’s meeting.

---