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

I actually have a call later on. I can’t do it, although I know the award will make her really happy.”

Beulah appeared crestfallen. Her smile vanished and her brows knitted together. “I thought you and Ella were getting along like a house on fire, judging by last night.” She fluttered her eyes.

He should have known his grandmother wouldn’t let what she’d witnessed last night go by without a comment. It wasn’t in her nature. She had a tendency to meddle in the lives of her family members. He knew it came from a place of love, but at the moment it only added to his frustration. “I’m not even going to respond to that. There’s nothing romantic between us. We’re just friends.”

Beulah arched an eyebrow. “That’s even more reason to be the one to tell her the good news. It won’t be the same if I send one of my employees over there who doesn’t know Ella. It won’t be as meaningful.”

“It can’t be helped,” he said tersely. With every word Beulah uttered, Connor felt his willpower faltering. He would love to head over to the chocolate shop and surprise Ella with something encouraging like employee of the week. Was he being selfish by only considering his own feelings? Truthfully, he was protecting himself. He was getting in way too deep with his feelings for Ella.

“It might be a nice pick-me-up,” Beulah said. “Not just for Ella, but for you as well. Get outside, take a nice walk in the fresh air. Give someone some good news. It might cheer you up.”

Connor let out a sigh. He knew when Beulah sounded like this she wasn’t going to give up until she got her way. He might as well save himself a colossal headache and agree to do as she’d requested. No matter how he tried to stay away from Ella, forces kept pushing him in her direction. He just had to stay strong. Connor would present the news to Ella as a friend. Nothing more.

“All right. I’ll swing by the shop. Happy now?”

“I’m always happy when people do the right thing,” she answered in a singsong voice. “Let me go back to my office and bring you the certificate and the goodies.” Beulah sailed out the door with a spring to her step. She returned a few minutes later with a canvas bag. The bouquet of flowers was poking out of the top.

Before he changed his mind, Connor put his coat and boots on in preparation for the walk to Main Street. As he strode along, he had to admit that getting a dose of the crisp Alaskan air was good for him.

When he entered the store, Connor immediately noticed a commotion going on inside the normally orderly place of business. Kids were scattered everywhere. Connor’s gaze immediately settled on Ella. She was bent over at the waist talking to a little girl whose lip was stuck out in a dramatic pout. Ella was speaking in a low voice, and although he couldn’t hear what she was saying, he knew it was soothing. The little girl leaned in for a hug and wrapped her arms around Ella before darting off to join some pals. When Ella stood up, their eyes met across the shop. A hint of a smile played around her lips at the sight of him. That simple act buoyed him. Connor made his way to her side.

“Connor! What brings you here?” Ella asked. “As you can see, this place is jumping today with first-graders. Sage arranged a tour for her students.” Ella’s eyes twinkled. “Giving chocolate samples to six-year-olds is a bona fide way to make them happy.”

Connor looked around the shop at all the happy little faces. He let out a chuckle. “Sage might regret giving them candy before they head back to class.”

Sage and another teacher were doing their best to quiet the kids down to a dull roar. His sister looked over and sent an apologetic look in Ella’s direction. In return, Ella simply smiled.

“Only one piece of chocolate per child,” Ella said. “That’s the rule.”

“A wise decision,” he said. “I’m a big fan of the stuff, but too much of it can make children bounce off the walls.”

Ella grinned. “That’s what my sister always says.” Once the words were out of her mouth, Ella’s expression changed. All the light faded from her eyes, replaced by a somber expression.

Connor could see the sadness emanating from her eyes. He knew the source of it was homesickness. Braden had left Owl Creek for three years as a self-imposed penance for the accident that had killed Piper’s father. He’d later confided in Connor about the deep sense of isolation he’d experienced due to missing his family members and friends. Connor imagined Ella felt the same way. He didn’t want to ply her with questions about her sister or do anything to accentuate her sorrow.

“I came to ask you if you wanted to grab lunch.” Connor blurted out the invitation. The words had poured out of his mouth like water from a faucet. Lunch? Where had that idea come from? All he’d been planning to do was to deliver the good news to Ella and then head back to the factory. It wasn’t like him to veer so wildly off course. Evidently, this woman brought it out in him.

“I’d love to go to lunch,” Ella said, smiling at him as she answered. “If you can wait fifteen minutes or so until Sage’s class leaves.”

“I can wait,” he said with a nod. “I’ll get out of your hair until the kids clear out.” Connor beat a fast path to the door, stepping outside into the frosty air. As a cold breeze whipped across his face, Connor let it wash over him. All of a sudden he had no actual clue as to what he was doing. He wasn’t used to acting so spontaneously. He’d always thought things out and acted in a deliberate manner.

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