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

brought danger into her life. It would have erased all the efforts of Marshal Kramer and his team to create a new identity for her in Owl Creek.

Her loved ones were safer not knowing anything about her location, even though it hurt to feel so disconnected from them. She drew strength from her family and the Lord. God was still beside her even though she was all alone. It didn’t stop her heart from aching, but He sustained her as nothing else could.

It had taken all the courage in the world not to give in and make the call to her family. All of her life she’d played by the rules. Working at the night club had been her first act of rebellion, one she’d lived to dearly regret. Her parents hadn’t approved of Club Oasis or its drinking and party atmosphere. Now she had to live with the consequences of her decision. It wouldn’t be fair to get involved with anyone and have him bear her burdens.

Connor’s handsome face flashed before her eyes. Just remembering the way their eyes had locked earlier caused her pulse to skitter. She liked Connor North way more than she wanted to. He was growing on her and she was powerless to stop it. He represented all of the things she had once dreamed of in a romantic partner. But he was off-limits. Connor had already been put through enough turmoil in his life. By becoming involved with him, Isabelle would only be dragging him into another terrible situation filled with half-truths and lies.

* * *

The next morning, Connor drove to the factory all by himself. It felt strange not to have Ella beside him in the passenger seat, even though he’d been doing the ride solo for many years before she’d arrived in Owl Creek. Suddenly, it felt like something was missing. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out it was Ella’s sweet presence. The knowledge hit him squarely in the face. His feelings for Ella were growing incrementally each day.

Connor hit the brakes as a caribou loped across the road roughly fifty feet ahead of him. He took a moment to admire the graceful creature. He hoped Ella didn’t run into any animals on her way into work. The last thing she needed was to have another wreck or be frightened at the sight of an animal.

It’s not your problem, he reminded himself. Ever since Ella arrived in town, Connor had made it his business to look out for her. As a result, he’d veered way over the line with regards to keeping a distance from her. Despite his gut instincts warning him about the newcomer to town, he’d continued to befriend her. Last night he’d almost kissed her!

Who was he kidding? he asked himself. Kissing Ella would have been amazing, even if he still harbored doubts about her past. It would have been a moment of discovery between them. Maybe then he could have figured out if his interest in her was reciprocated. As it was, he’d just been left with more doubts.

He felt a funny sensation in his chest at the thought of merely being friends with Ella. It wasn’t what he wanted, but he couldn’t be anything more than her friend with so many doubts still swirling around regarding the secrets she was keeping.

He didn’t feel like his usual self as he made his way through the building. Although many employees called out to him as he walked by, Connor could only nod his head. Things couldn’t go on this way. He needed to completely forget about growing their friendship into anything more meaningful.

Connor closed his office door behind him and settled behind his desk. For the next few hours he focused on work without talking to any of his colleagues. When something was bothering him, Connor tended to go inward. He’d always been this way, going back to childhood. Not even Gabe or Hank could penetrate his mood.

When a knock sounded on his door, Connor couldn’t stifle his annoyance.

“Come in,” he said gruffly. He didn’t really care who was on the other side of the door. At the moment he was feeling grumpy and completely out of sorts.

“Well, good morning to you, too.” At the sound of his grandmother’s voice, Connor lifted his head. She was standing in the doorway dressed in a bright blue pantsuit that only Beulah could get away with. And for the life of him, he couldn’t be aggravated when she was nearby.

“Morning, Grandmother.” He glanced at the clock on his desk. “It’s almost afternoon, though. I don’t know where the time is going.”

She was gazing at him with a look of compassion in her eyes. “I can tell you have a lot on your mind, but I won’t pry,” Beulah said.

“I’m just having an off day,” he said. There was no way he was going to talk to Beulah about Ella. The last thing he needed was to have his grandmother meddling in his personal life.

“All right,” she said. “I’ll take what you’re saying at face value.”

“What’s up? You look like you’re about to burst. Has something happened?” Connor asked. He knew this woman well. She was overjoyed about something and it showed.

“We’ve picked our latest employee of the week,” she announced. “We printed up a certificate of distinction, and we’re giving her a gift card and flowers.”

“Who got it? I’m sure it’ll brighten their day.”

“It’s Ella. I was wondering if you wanted to stop by the chocolate shop and tell her in person. She’ll be thrilled to hear the news, I imagine, and get the recognition.”

Hearing that Ella was being hailed by the company uplifted Connor’s dark mood. It gave him a kick just thinking about her reaction to the news. But he didn’t want to be near her right now. It was still confusing trying to figure out how he was going to stay solely in the friend zone with Ella. Steering clear of her might make it easier.

“Uh,