Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Patrice Lewis (best large ereader .txt) 📕

account,” Rachel said. “You’re a beautiful woman, Ella. You radiate pure positivity.” She winked at her. “You’ll be just fine.”

As they stood in line and ordered their cocoa, Isabelle thought about what her new friends had suggested. Though a part of her would love to be coupled up, it just wouldn’t be fair for her to become involved with someone when she couldn’t be honest with him about being in the Witness Protection Program. It was hard to imagine living happily-ever-after without complete truth and transparency.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. It was one of Isabelle’s favorite Bible passages. Lately, she had been reciting it several times a week and drawing strength from it. She still harbored a little kernel of hope that her situation might change one day. Every night she prayed to get her life back.

Isabelle let out a ragged sigh. Her life here in town would be so different if she wasn’t in Alaska under the guise of being a completely different person. What would it be like, she wondered, to be as carefree as Sage, Rachel and Piper? They all seemed to lead such happy and contented lives, free of problems or worries. A feeling of envy rose up inside her. She missed the days when her biggest concern was whether she was going to get a raise at work. It was hard not to wish for simpler days when she didn’t have to struggle to keep her story straight or look over her shoulder in fear.

And it was even more difficult to imagine being drawn toward someone in Owl Creek other than Connor. Even though she knew better than to try to pursue anything romantic with him, she couldn’t deny his massive appeal or her own excitement whenever they were together. She wasn’t sure there was a man in Owl Creek who could compare to him.

* * *

Connor stood back and surveyed all of the revelry taking place in front of him. He was grinning so widely the sides of his mouth were beginning to feel the strain. There were so many people who’d come out tonight to support the dog mushing event. It’s what he loved most about Owl Creek. The townsfolk truly loved gatherings where they could socialize and support one another. All the proceeds from this evening were going to support rescue dogs through the outreach of Best Friends, a local veterinary clinic in town owned by Maya Roberts.

Maya had recently returned to Owl Creek in order to take over the practice from her dad, Vance Roberts, who had made the decision to retire. So far, she was impressing everyone in town with her skill and generous heart. Her advocacy on behalf of rescue dogs had almost convinced him to adopt a four-legged companion. He wasn’t sure Bear was ready for another dog in the house, but Connor still had his eye on adopting. Once his Siberian husky was better trained, Connor was going to reach out to Maya.

Try as he might, Connor couldn’t manage to look away for long from Ella, who was standing with Sage, Rachel and Piper. His gaze kept veering back to her. Seeing the foursome amiably chatting made him happy. Ella needed connections in town in order to properly settle in to her new life. She couldn’t befriend three more fabulous women than the ones she was with at the moment.

“So, why are you standing over here when Ella is over there? Clearly she’s on your mind judging by the way you keep staring at her.” Gabe jutted his chin in Ella’s direction. Connor swung his gaze her way for what felt like the hundredth time. In her cranberry-colored parka, matching hat, boots and black leggings, she looked ready for the Alaskan elements. Fashionable and functional. Always stunning.

“I’m not staring. Can’t a person just look around at the scenery?” Connor asked through gritted teeth.

“Did you bring her here tonight? I thought maybe she was your date,” Braden inquired in a loud voice.

Connor glared at his brother. “We are not on a date. Can you keep your voice down? The last thing I need is to have everyone in town spreading that rumor around. You know how it goes.”

Hank, Braden and Gabriel had identical grins on their faces. He could tell they didn’t believe a word he was saying about not being paired up with Ella.

“Come on! It’s not funny. We’re not an item!” Connor protested.

“Not yet,” Hank said. “But with your smooth moves, it’s only a matter of time.” He wiggled his eyebrows, garnering more laughter from the group.

“You guys don’t know what you’re talking about,” he snapped. There were way too many reasons why a relationship between them was an impossibility. Above all else, he didn’t trust her. There were too many red flags popping up. Her nervousness about having her ID picture taken had been bizarre.

“It’s obvious you like her. You’ve had the same tell since we were in elementary school,” Gabe said with a smirk.

Connor frowned at him. “What are you talking about?”

Braden pointed at his feet. “The way you rock back and forth on your heels. It’s a dead giveaway that you’re into Ella. You’ve been doing it ever since she got here.”

Gabe and Hank nodded in agreement.

Gabe placed his hand on Connor’s shoulder. “I hate to break it to you, but two of the Three Amigos have settled down. And Braden will be married in no time at all. You might be next. You’ve got to be open to it, though,” Gabe said. “Don’t stick your head in the sand.”

Connor let out a groan. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t already thought about the fact that Gabriel, Hank and Braden had all found the loves of their lives, while he’d been sitting on the sidelines. How could he forget when his mother kept hinting about his single status? It was beginning to grate on him. “I’m not in any rush to settle down. That’s not