A Match Made in Alaska (8 page)

He hadn’t meant to bring up Lucy, but he was still smarting over the fact that she was gone forever. Nothing more than a pile of wreckage and ash.

“Have you contacted the insurance company yet?” Finn asked. “O’Rourke Charters is going to be in a bind if you don’t get a second plane. It’s really helped the company financially to have Willard making some runs for you.”

Willard Jones was a local pilot who was in Declan’s employ. Even though Willard had only gotten his pilot’s license last year, he demonstrated great skill and ability. Declan wasn’t looking forward to telling him about Lucy’s demise.

“I need to call them,” Declan said sheepishly. “There might be a slight hiccup since I lowered my premium last year. The payout from the insurance company won’t be enough to finance a new plane.”

“You did what?” Finn exploded. He began to grind his teeth noisily. “Why in the world did you do a thing like that?”

“Love was in a recession. O’Rourke Charters took a real beating,” he drawled. “Oh, I forgot. You didn’t stay in town long enough to experience the hardships firsthand.”

“We’ve both experienced tough times. There’s no need to compare battle scars,” Finn spit out.

An uneasy silence stretched between them. Things left unspoken pulsed in the air. It was always like this between them, Declan realized. Everything could be going swell until the past reared its head like a monster. He was beginning to think they would never be able to cross the divide that separated them.

“You’re just like him. You can never just stay put in one place. Even when Grandpa was sick, you couldn’t just plant roots here, could you?” Declan asked.

“I’m not like him!” Finn let out a snort. “You’re the one who flits from one woman to the next. Sound familiar?”

Declan felt as if he had been sucker punched in the gut. Finn really knew how to hit below the belt.

Finn raked his hands through his hair. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Declan clenched his fists and moved toward his brother. All he could see was a red haze. Before he did something he regretted, he bent down and picked up Finn’s duffel bag and tossed it at him. “You can’t stay here!”

They locked gazes. It seemed like an eternity passed before Finn spoke. “Fine. I’ll go crash somewhere else. Maybe when you talk to the insurance company, you can blame me for everything, just like you always do.” Like a whirlwind, Finn left his house. The roaring sound of his motorcycle buzzed in Declan’s ears. He wanted to go after him to tell him he could stay, but a heavy weight on his chest prevented him from doing so. Too much stood between them.

Like always, the past had crept into his present, bringing along with it things he knew neither one of them was capable of facing.

Chapter Six

A
nnie was up at the crack of dawn, well before she needed to wake up. A feeling of anticipation had been building inside her ever since her arrival in town a week earlier. For the past seven days, she had been working toward getting the library in shipshape condition, shelving and unpacking books.

She couldn’t have done it without the dedicated team who had helped her get the library in order. And even though there were still a few things that needed to be straightened out, the library was officially opening this morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand achievement. Townsfolk would be able to come to the library, sign up for a library card and actually take books out. All the books from the original library had been moved to the site and shelved right alongside the new books.

She was filled with anticipation. It reminded her of how she had always felt the night before the first day of school—brimming with excitement.
New beginnings are always ripe
with possibilities
. Hadn’t she just read that very phrase in Gram’s journal?

Even though she could have slept for another hour or so, Annie’s internal clock wouldn’t allow her to. She considered herself to be a very punctual person, and she didn’t want to run the risk of being late for the ceremony. In her position as librarian at the Whimsy Public Library, punctuality had been a necessity. It was her responsibility to open up the library each and every morning so patrons could have access. Not once had the library ever opened late. That was because she was an organized person. She was quite proud of her impeccable record with regard to the operating hours of the library. It was nothing to sneeze at. And she had every intention of continuing that legacy right here in Love.

Annie got up out of bed and walked into the living room. She pulled back the dark curtains and peered outside. “Hello, beautiful Alaska,” she gushed. Pink and purple ribbons of color streaked across the sky. Annie found herself transfixed by the sight of God’s wondrous creation. The sun was creeping over the horizon, its fiery brilliance heralding a new day. Mountains loomed majestically in the distance. She had done her research on Alaska. She knew that sunset would occur at around five o’clock later on today, a little bit later than she was used to back home. For now she would simply bask in the beautiful sunrise unfolding right outside her window.

Hazel wasn’t coming by to pick her up for another hour or so. She had declined breakfast at the Lodge due to the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Who could eat when a new library was being celebrated? For the past week she had been assembling the library’s catalog with help from a group of townsfolk who were big supporters.

After taking a shower, Annie got dressed and did her makeup and hair. She put on a light dusting of powder, followed by a hint of black eyeliner and mascara. The final touch was a slash of red on her lips. Retro red, she liked to call it. She had curled her hair so that it hung in waves. One look in the mirror had Annie convinced she could put her best foot forward at the ceremony. Her outfit was as close to perfection as she could imagine. She had purchased the gray wool dress at a vintage shop on a trip to Bar Harbor. Her plaid coat with the faux-fur collar completed the outfit. She pulled on her tall brown boots and inhaled a deep, steadying breath.

A quick glance at her watch revealed that Hazel would be arriving in a matter of minutes. When she flung open the front door of the cabin so she could wait outside on the porch, she saw a big box sitting at her doorstep. Hmm. She hadn’t ordered anything, nor was she expecting a delivery from back home. Perhaps someone had left it at the wrong cabin. When she picked it up, she noticed a small tag with her name on it taped to the box. It read “For Annie.” Nope. There hadn’t been a delivery mistake. Had someone from Whimsy sent her a care package? If so, she hoped it was full of treats from her favorite candy store in town, Betsy’s Penny Candy. She bent down and ripped it open, letting out a sigh as a pair of snow-white boots came into view. A cream-colored card sat perched on top of them.

Just wanted to make sure your toes never get cold again. Declan.

She ran her fingers across the handwritten note as a surge of joy rose up inside her. She had truly missed seeing him over the past week. And then out of the blue he’d sent her the boots! It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone had ever done for her.

The words written by Declan went straight to her heart. Even though she hadn’t yet forgiven him, the thoughtful gift served as a huge incentive to patch things up with him. She carried the box back inside her cabin and switched the boots she was wearing with the Lovely boots. The moment her feet slid inside the warm, cozy shoes, she let out a sigh of contentment. They were perfect to wear to the ceremony. And they matched her outfit.

When she heard the toot of Hazel’s horn, she grabbed her purse and rushed to the door. Today was the first day of the rest of her life. As she delicately navigated the snowy path, she felt very thankful for her Lovely boots. The pair she’d brought from home would have had her slipping and sliding. These new ones provided great traction on the snow and ice.

Once again, Declan had stepped in and rescued her.

* * *

Declan hadn’t planned on attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the library. He had plenty of business to square away today as a result of the plane crash. For the past week he had been dealing with insurance issues, rearranging the schedule and trying to deal with his flying jitters. Getting O’Rourke Charters back on track was his number one priority. It was critical! He had to admit that he had been motivated to show up today by a simple desire to see Annie again and to find out if the boots had placed him back in her good graces.

As soon as he arrived, he made a beeline toward Boone, Grace, Jasper and Hazel. Boone and Grace were holding hands and making goo-goo eyes at each other. Declan shook his head. Boone and his brother Cameron both were newly married and besotted with their wives. He had to give it to them. They did make marriage seem like a blissful state of being.

Declan casually scanned the crowd, hoping for a sighting of Annie.

“If you’re looking for our new librarian,” Boone said, pointing his finger toward the building, “she just went inside for a moment.”

“I wasn’t looking for anyone in particular. Just checking things out. There’s a nice crowd here,” he said, quickly veering the subject away from Annie.

Grace grinned. “I think everyone is curious about the new library, as well as Love’s newest transplant.”

Declan cast a quick glance at his watch. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled to take place in ten minutes on the front steps of the library. The library was a small brick building on Frontier Street that had formerly been the post office. When the post office had been upgraded to a bigger building, the former site had been left vacant. It was a decent size, and with a little spit and polish, it exuded a quaint charm. According to Boone and the rest of the members of the town council, it would be a work in progress.

Now it was going to house a collection of books, movies, periodicals and audiobooks. Declan himself had never been much of a reader, although he did find the subject of aviation history a fascinating one. Maybe he would see if the library had any books like that on the shelves.

All of a sudden he caught a flash of her gray dress set against dark hair. Annie! Declan didn’t think he’d ever been speechless a day in his life, but at the moment all he could do was gawk at the beautiful woman standing on the library steps.
Radiant
was the first word that came to mind.

“Doesn’t she look lovely?” Hazel asked, sidling up next to Declan.

“She sure cleans up well,” Jasper marveled. “Reminds me of one those old-fashioned movie stars we grew up watching on the silver screen. She looks downright regal.”

Boone folded his arms across his chest and rocked back on his heels. “I can only imagine what kind of a stir she’s going to make in this town,” he marveled. He leaned over and placed a kiss on his wife’s forehead. “Kind of like someone else I know.”

Grace shook her head and chuckled. “I only had eyes for you.”

Declan didn’t trust himself to comment. Boone’s statement didn’t sit well with him. His throat felt a little dry. He fought to speak past the lump in his throat.

For a man who had been crushing on girls since kindergarten, feeling off-kilter like this was out of the ordinary. Just like Annie Murray herself.

“She’s beautiful inside and out,” Hazel declared. She sent Declan a knowing look. “She’ll make a mighty fine wife for someone in this town.”

“You’re about as subtle as a sledgehammer, Hazel. The last thing I need is a wife,” Declan said. “And we all know it.”

“I know no such thing,” Hazel quipped.

“People were meant to be partnered up, two by two,” Jasper groused. “Get on with it already. If the new librarian doesn’t float your boat, there are plenty of other single ladies you can court.”

“What about you?” Declan asked, jutting his chin in Jasper’s direction. “When are the two of you getting hitched?”

Jasper’s eyes bulged and he began to stammer. “M-marriage is for young folks, not old roosters like Hazel and myself.”

Hazel let out a shocked gasp. She drew herself up to her full height and began breathing deeply in and out of her nose. “Jasper Prescott! You may consider yourself an old rooster, but I don’t think of myself in those terms.” She bristled. “I may not be a spring chicken, but I’m not ready yet to be put out to pasture.”

Before Jasper could say a word, Hazel stomped off. Boone and Declan tried to stifle their laughter behind their hands. Grace jabbed her husband in his side. Jasper sent them a fierce glare. “Thanks a lot,” he griped as he walked after her. Declan subtly tried to locate Annie again in the crowd. He felt Boone’s gaze on him. Boone’s lips were twitching with merriment.

“What?” he snapped. “You look like the cat that swallowed the cream.”

“Take a picture. It might last longer,” Boone said with a straight face that suddenly dissolved into a grin threatening to take over his entire face.

“You’re a regular comedian, aren’t you?” Declan drawled. Almost a year ago, he had said those same words to Boone when he’d caught him staring at Grace in the Moose Café, the coffee bar owned by his brother Cameron Prescott. Boone’s mind was like a steel trap. He never forgot a single thing.

“Go on and talk to her. You know you want to,” Boone said in a singsong voice.

Declan rolled his eyes and shook his head as he walked away from his best friend. Boone’s hearty chuckle trailed after him. With every step he took toward Annie, he became more nervous. Not seeing Annie for the past week had been like not catching a glimpse of the sun.

He didn’t have any idea what was wrong with him, considering making small talk with women was his strong suit.

She met his gaze from where she stood on the steps. He studied her expression, but it didn’t tell him anything about whether or not she’d forgiven him. For once, her features were closed off. She looked unapproachable. He placed his hand over his chest, startled by the pounding of his heart.

Annie’s shoulder-length hair now hung in loose waves, gently framing her face and gleaming like burnished wood. Every time she moved her head, it swung around her shoulders. Her dress peeked out from under her coat. It resembled something from another era. It was a really nice shade of gray. It hung past her knees and showcased her great sense of style. On the side of her head sat a black hat with some netting and a little bird on it. Or at least, he thought it was a hat. It looked a tad unusual, although Annie managed to pull it off.

“Hey there, Annie.” His eyes slid down to her feet and the boots he’d bought for her. A ridiculous amount of joy speared through him at the sight of her wearing his gift. It made him feel ten feet tall. How mad could she still be at him if she was sporting the peace offering?

Her smile showcased dimples he hadn’t noticed before. “Thank you for the boots. I love them,” she said, flexing her right foot to show off the shoes.

Relief flooded him. “I’m glad you like them. They look great on you.”

“That’s what Hazel said when she came to pick me up. I can’t believe she created these boots and the town developed them as a way to boost revenue.” She shook her head and laughed. “It’s fairly mind-boggling.”

“That’s our Hazel. She’s one of a kind. And those boots of hers have been helping the economy here in town,” Declan said.

Annie grinned. “Anything that helps the economy is a wonderful thing indeed.”

Declan stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I wasn’t sure if you’d still be speaking to me.”

Annie locked gazes with him. “I’m a big believer in forgiveness. You wouldn’t be here today if you didn’t support the library, now would you?” She gifted him with a beatific smile. “That’s good enough for me.”

“Maybe I just believe in you,” he blurted out. All of a sudden, he felt as if his defenses were down. He had hoped Annie would forgive him, but he hadn’t counted on the way it would make him feel to see her again or to realize how easily she could twist him up inside. He’d spent the past week keeping his distance from her, knowing that it was for the best. Being in her presence made him feel as if he was on a high wire without a safety net.

One false move and he might just fall on his face.

* * *

Annie’s cheeks started to feel warm despite the November chill, and she looked down at the ground to avoid the intensity of Declan’s stare. When she swung her gaze back up to meet his scrutiny, she reminded herself to remain unflappable. Declan had an uncanny ability to shake her composure. It wasn’t just his good looks, she realized. He made her feel more alive than she had ever felt in her life. Suddenly everything around her seemed more vibrant. The sky was now a more vivid shade of blue. Cerulean. The sound of the red-breasted bird rang out more sweetly when she was in his presence. And knowing he thought well of her calmed down all her jitters about the ribbon-cutting ceremony.