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

things around the house after she returned from church. In order to subdue her grumbling stomach, Isabelle headed down to the kitchen and made herself a bowl of oatmeal and two pieces of wheat toast with genuine Alaskan blueberry jam. Despite her state of mind, every bite tasted delectable.

Just as she was about to head upstairs for a shower, a knock sounded on her front door. She looked down at her leisure wear—a pair of sweatpants and a matching top, along with a pair of fuzzy socks. She looked somewhat presentable, she guessed. But what if it was Connor? She really didn’t want him to see her looking so frumpy.

Oh, well. If it was Connor, he might as well see her in an unfiltered way since they were stuck in the friend zone. With a sigh, she got up from her chair and headed toward the door. Right before she pulled it open, Isabelle let her hair free from a ponytail holder and shook it loose, running her fingers though the strands to tame it. She yanked open the door as her greeting froze on her lips.

“Jonah! What are you doing here?” The question flew out of her mouth. The U.S. Marshal was standing at her doorstep dressed in a pair of dark jeans, a black puffer jacket and a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses.

“You sounded pretty frantic during our phone call. My boss agreed it was time for me to make a house call.”

“I can’t believe you came. Come inside,” she said, ushering him into the house.

“Thanks. Homer is just a short flight away,” Jonah said as he crossed the threshold and entered her house. “It gave me an opportunity to ride in a seaplane. That doesn’t happen every day.”

“Why don’t we go into the kitchen and I’ll make us some hot cocoa,” she offered. She had dozens of packets, courtesy of North Star Chocolates.

“Sounds good,” Jonah said as he trailed after her and settled himself at her farmhouse-style table while she prepared the cups of hot chocolate. “How are you getting acclimated to Owl Creek?”

“I’m getting there,” she said. “It’s been difficult at times, especially missing my family.” Her throat tightened. “But the people here have been pretty wonderful,” she added as Connor’s face flashed before her eyes.

“And the company you’re working for?” Jonah asked as she placed a cup down in front of him and sat down across from him with her own mug of cocoa.

“So far, it’s been incredible. I have nothing to say but positive things.” She smiled at Jonah. “What’s not to love? I’m able to be around chocolate all day and I get lots of samples to take home. I wish I had more self-control,” she admitted with a laugh.

Jonah nodded. “Everything sounds like it’s falling into place. I thought you might have packed up your suitcases and given your employer a resignation letter.” He took a sip of his cocoa and let out a satisfied sound. “You sounded pretty frantic the other day when we spoke. Even after you found out your photo wasn’t going online, I got the impression you were still jittery.”

“I was,” she answered, shuddering as she remembered her anxiety from a few days ago. She had been in such turmoil that she’d honestly considered leaving Owl Creek and asking to be reassigned to another locale. “Thankfully, the CEO decided my picture was only going to be hung up at the factory and the chocolate shop with only a brief mention in the employee newsletter. I have the feeling her grandson might have told her it made me uncomfortable.” She let out a ragged sigh. “I may have overreacted. I’m sorry if you wasted a trip.”

“It’s not a waste, especially if you’ve decided to stay put here in town. It gets a bit messy when things fall apart so quickly. As you know, relocating isn’t easy. Of course it would be your decision, but you would have to start the whole process all over again. That would be very stressful for you.”

Isabelle didn’t want to go anywhere. She couldn’t imagine finding a better relocation spot than where she’d landed. Now that the panic had dissipated, she could see her situation clearly. Staying put was the best move.

“I like it here. It’s miles apart from anything I’ve ever known, but it’s growing on me.” It was gratifying being able to give Jonah a good report after the anxiety she’d experienced the other day. It served as a reminder that sometimes she needed to breathe before allowing her mind to take her to dark places. She wanted to be in a place where she was living in a state of grace and not fear.

“That’s what we like to hear. Keeping you safe is our number one priority, but we also want you to live the best life possible. A life without fear.”

That was her goal as well. It made her soul soar to know she was more than just a case number to the marshals assigned to her protection.

“I have a question for you. Has anything changed with the case? I know it’s a long shot, but are there any updates?”

Jonah quirked his mouth. “I hate being the bearer of bad news, but it’s part of the job description. One of Burke’s cronies who was serving as a witness was killed yesterday.”

Isabelle let out a gasp and raised her hand to her throat. “Oh, no! That’s awful.”

Jonah’s expression was somber. “We have no doubt Burke was behind it. His reach extends beyond prison. The witness wasn’t under the protection of WITSEC however, since he refused to participate. Burke has appealed the case, which means it would benefit him if you can’t testify in any future trial. You’re still in jeopardy, Ella. Don’t ever forget it.”

Isabelle wrapped her hands around her heated mug. Despite the warmth, she felt a shiver run through her. Jonah didn’t pull any punches. Her life was still in danger. Another witness had been killed by Burke. She had