Kitabı oxu: «Her Secret Alaskan Family»

Chapter One

“Welcome to the last frontier,” Sage Duncan murmured as she walked to the bow of the ferry and looked out across the breathtaking waters of Kachemak Bay.

Despite her frayed nerves, Sage was able to appreciate the raw beauty of her surroundings. She took a deep breath and inhaled the crisp Alaskan air. Snow-covered mountains rose up to greet her. A bird swooped down toward the water, then emerged a few seconds later with a fish in its mouth. Sage shook her head at the stunning sights unfolding before her eyes. The vista was spectacular. It was like nothing she had ever seen before in her life.

In her wildest dreams she had never envisioned herself traveling to this magnificent land. It had always seemed so out of reach, like a faraway constellation in the heavens.

She shivered and wrapped her arms around her middle. This Alaskan climate was a far cry from back home in Florida where heat and humidity reigned. Sage couldn’t remember the last time she had seen snow, but as a little girl she had fantasized about catching snowflakes on her tongue and sledding down snowy mountains in the wintertime.

Sage shook off those long-ago memories. She hadn’t traveled all this way to Owl Creek, Alaska, in order to live out her childhood dreams. Her reasons for coming here were complicated, and hurt bubbled up inside her as the reality of her situation kicked her in the gut.

Her mother’s death two months ago had changed her life in so many ways. With her dying breath, Jane Duncan had made a startling confession to Sage. Months later and she was still processing the revelation. According to her mother, Sage had been stolen as a baby from her birth family. Right after Jane had uttered those shocking words she had died, leaving Sage with a hundred burning questions. Who was she? Who were her real family? Why had Jane Duncan committed such a horrific act as kidnapping somebody else’s child?

Digging through her mother’s belongings had turned up old newspaper clippings about a three-month-old baby who had been taken from her crib in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. Goose bumps had popped up on her arms when she’d come across a photo with the word MISSING written in bold black print on the flyer. There were two pictures side by side—one of a baby girl and the other a pretty teenager. The words age enhanced were written beneath the image. The girl had looked a little bit like her. Similar features. Same age. Even the same birth month.

A search on the internet had turned up even more information. If what she suspected turned out to be true, her real name was Lily North. Her family—the Norths—were the owners of the North Star Chocolate Company. Her parents still lived in Owl Creek and they had never stopped looking for her or praying for her return. Her image had even been plastered on milk cartons back when she was an infant.

Which was why, in order to seek out those answers, she had traveled to this southern portion of Alaska and booked herself into a cozy bed-and-breakfast in Owl Creek for a period of six weeks.

Sage felt a solid presence next to her as she looked out toward land. She turned to her right. The man standing a few feet away from her was handsome. He was looking in her direction, his eyes focused on her like laser beams. With sandy-colored hair and turquoise blue eyes, he had a rugged appearance. A shiny gold badge sat on his chest.

He quirked his mouth. “Let me guess. You’re Lily North, aren’t you?”

Sage’s knees threatened to give way beneath her, and her heart began to beat like thunder inside her chest. Why had she thought she could get away with this?

“Wh-what are you talking about?” she asked, wondering how in the world this stranger knew her true purpose for being in Owl Creek.

He let out a chuckle. His features immediately went from attractive to downright spectacular. “Sorry. Just a bad joke. Our little town has been inundated with women claiming to be the missing North baby.” He frowned at her. “Surely you’ve heard about the case?”

“Just a little bit,” she hedged. “I’m not from Alaska, but I recall seeing some news coverage a few weeks ago back home.”

“It’s the twenty-fifth anniversary of the kidnapping so it’s been plastered all over the news and on the internet,” he explained. “Every scam artist from here to Toledo has been trying to fleece the family by pretending to be Lily. It’s been going on for years but lately it’s gotten out of hand. I was born and bred in Owl Creek so I’ve grown up hearing about the case.” His expression turned somber. “In a way it’s always cast a shadow over the town.”

“Do you know them? The Norths?” she asked, her curiosity getting the best of her. She wanted to learn everything she possibly could about them. Were they kind people? Had the kidnapping taken all the joy out of their lives? Had they moved past it?

“Sure do,” he said amiably. “They’re good people. Connor North is one of my best friends. And they make some of the best chocolate you’ll ever taste.” He stuck out his hand. “By the way, I’m Hank Crawford. Town sheriff.”

She reached out and shook his hand. “So that explains the fancy badge,” she said with a smile. “I’m Sage Duncan.”

“Are you a tourist? We get a lot of them in our little town, but not usually in the winter. The weather is pretty intimidating for those who aren’t used to it.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose you could call me a tourist. I teach second grade back home in Florida and I’m on leave for a few months. I’ve always wanted to visit Alaska, and I do adore chocolate,” she said. “Call me crazy, but I’m looking forward to some wintry weather.”

“You’ll need a winter parka and some insulated boots for winter in Owl Creek. Otherwise you’ll freeze,” he advised, giving her attire the once-over. He was wearing a hunter green parka and a dark pair of cords. Sage had the feeling her clothing hadn’t passed muster. Her decision to travel to Alaska had been made rather quickly. She’d taken a leave of absence and booked her airline tickets as well as the bed-and-breakfast before she could change her mind and chicken out. As a Floridian she didn’t own many cold-weather clothes, so she’d done a little shopping online and stocked up on a few sweaters, hats and pants. She looked down at her boots. They were suede with fringes on them. Hardly fitting for the Alaskan climate. She hoped this little village had clothing stores and winter gear so she could round out her wardrobe.

“Thanks,” she said, unwilling to offer any more information to Sheriff Crawford. She had already said too much, and he was the last person whose suspicions she wanted to arouse.

“Well, we’re about to dock. It was nice to meet you, Sage,” he said with a grin. “In a town as small as Owl Creek, I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other.”

Sage nodded and murmured goodbye as she watched the sheriff walk away from her. His gait was confident and strong. She let out a ragged sigh. Hank Crawford was no doubt the handsomest man she’d met in quite some time. But she wasn’t in town to meet good-looking men. Not by a long shot. Sage had traveled all this way in order to scope out the people she believed might be her birth family. There was power in no one knowing she might actually be Lily North. She wouldn’t have anyone questioning her motives or digging into her background.

She would have time to decide what to do.

At this point she had no idea whether or not she would reveal her identity to the North family. Doing so might cause a world of legal trouble for Eric Duncan, the man who she had called father for the last twenty-five years. According to her dad, he’d been in the dark about her mother’s actions up until her dying day. Sadly, he had never addressed certain irregularities in Sage’s adoption, which could make it appear as if he’d known the truth all along. Eric had asserted he’d never had any knowledge about her being kidnapped. He’d believed that her birth parents had abandoned her. From what he’d disclosed to Sage it was evident that her adoption hadn’t been legal. Having just lost her mother, Sage couldn’t imagine losing her father as well if the North family decided to file charges against him for being her mother’s accomplice.

Sage clenched her fists at her sides. She would do anything in her power to protect him.

Hank hadn’t meant to talk to the beautiful woman on the ferry, but there had been something about Sage Duncan that had tugged at him. She had looked so sad staring out across the water, and he had wanted to make her smile. Instead, he’d made himself look like a goofball.

Hank winced. He had made the corny joke about her being Lily North, which had landed with a little bit of a thud. Sage had looked at him with horror radiating from her eyes. She probably thought it was in bad form to make a joke about a missing person.

What Sage didn’t know was that two years ago Hank had fallen for a woman named Theresa Bennett. They had gone out for a few months, during which time he had grown fond of Theresa. A short while later he had discovered she was nothing more than a fraud. A beautiful con artist bent on extorting money from his friends the Norths by pretending to be their missing child. Theresa had made a prize fool out of him. He imagined people were joking about how she’d pulled the wool over the eyes of a member of law enforcement. Just thinking about it made Hank’s face flush with embarrassment.

So, in actuality he had really been laughing at his own stupidity when he’d cracked the joke about Sage being Lily North. Theresa had already burned him on that front. Once bitten, twice shy. He wasn’t going down that road again.

He owed it to his daughter, Addie, to use more discretion when it came to romance. Hank let out a grunt. He really hadn’t dated since that adorable little charmer had come into his life. And although the whole Theresa fiasco still stung a bit, she’d also given him his daughter. He would always be grateful. Addie’s birth had led him straight to his relationship with Christ.

It wasn’t as if he was dying of loneliness or anything. Being a full-time father and town sheriff kept him very busy. In his experience, romance brought nothing but upheaval, and he had resigned himself to the fact that he wasn’t going to walk through life with a soul mate. Not everyone got the happy ending. His thoughts veered to his best friend, Gabriel Lawson. Gabe had found out the hard way about shattered dreams when his fiancée had taken off two days before their wedding. No, sir. Hank didn’t need someone to hand him his heart on a platter.

As the ferry glided into dock and the captain announced their arrival, Hank did his best not to look for Sage. The boat wasn’t crowded with passengers, and in her cherry-red jacket it wouldn’t take much effort to spot her. But he really didn’t need any distractions, especially ones with jet-black hair, tiny freckles dotting their cheeks and doe-brown eyes flecked with gold.

Just as the thought popped into his head, Hank spotted Sage struggling with an oversize piece of luggage. Despite his vow not to get involved, he found himself walking over toward her. His mother had raised him to be a gentleman after all.

“Can I help you with your bags?” he asked Sage, admiring her pluck in attempting to wield the baggage.

She immediately let go of the piece of luggage. Her shoulders sagged with relief. “Thanks for asking. I may have overstuffed it a bit,” she admitted. “When in doubt, pack everything you can. It’s far better to have too much clothing than too little.”

Hank felt the corners of his mouth twitching with merriment. The suitcase was nearly as big as the woman herself. He led the way off the ferry and down the pier. Once they reached the pickup area, he deposited the luggage on the ground. Although he wanted to ask her if she had a ride and where she was staying, Hank felt he might be overstepping if he did so. A few minutes ago it was as if a curtain had come down over her face when they had been speaking. As a law enforcement officer, he had been trained to watch facial expressions and body language. She had seemed a bit closed off.

However, Hank was far less adept at picking up on signals from females. His romantic past still hung over him like a dark cloud.

Sage was appealing to him and he didn’t quite know how to handle the situation. Judging by her ring finger, she was single. It was a rare occasion when he felt such an attraction at first sight. But it didn’t matter what he felt. He needed to focus on the lessons he’d learned in the past from his ex-girlfriend. He had no intention of making himself vulnerable again. Now that he was a man of faith, his entire life had transformed. Finding God made him want to be a better man.

Hank couldn’t wait to see his little girl. He had only been away for twenty-four hours at a law enforcement summit in Homer, but he’d missed her terribly. Being a single dad wasn’t easy, but Addie had quickly wormed her way into his heart.

His daughter had come into his life unexpectedly when Theresa passed away in a car accident in Kodiak. Hank hadn’t even known of the little girl’s existence when she had been thrust into his life eight months ago. After a bit of a rocky start, he and Addie had developed an incredible bond. Although he had long ago given up on romantic love, Hank knew without a shadow of a doubt that his daughter was the the most precious blessing God could ever bestow on him.

At the moment he needed to put in a few hours at the office and write up a report about the law enforcement meeting in Homer before heading off to his mother’s house to pick up Addie. He grinned as he imagined her sweet little face lighting up as they were reunited. As he got in his truck and started the engine, he pushed all thoughts out of his mind of the attractive visitor to Owl Creek.

Sheriff Hank Crawford wasn’t just a piece of Alaskan eye candy, she realized. He was a sweet-natured gentleman who happened to be close friends with Connor North. Between his gold badge and his relationship with the North family, he was causing warning sirens to clang in her head.

Sage didn’t want to admit it, but she felt a little forlorn as she watched Hank head off toward the parking lot adjacent to the pier. She saw him climb into a hunter green truck before he roared off into the distance. Suddenly it hit her that she didn’t know a single person in Owl Creek except the good-looking sheriff. She bit her lip. Perhaps her decision to come to Alaska had been based on emotion and grief over her mother’s death rather than being a pragmatic decision to seek out her truths.

Had she made a mistake in traveling so far outside her comfort zone?

The truth shall make you free. The Bible verse from John washed over her. Lately it had really resonated with her. Truth was important. Being here in Owl Creek meant she was one step closer to uncovering the secrets from her past.

She shifted from one foot to the other, trying to keep her toes warm in her flimsy boots. Hank had been spot-on in his assessment of her winter gear. She made a mental note to purchase a sturdier pair, ones with insulation from the snow and ice.

Miss Trudy Miller, the owner of the bed-and-breakfast where she would be staying, had sent Sage a message stating she would be picked up at the pier by her daughter Piper. Sage glanced at her watch, wondering if they had gotten the pickup time wrong. Suddenly, a large white van came barreling into the lot, stopping with a loud squeal. A few seconds later, a woman came running toward her holding a sheet of poster board with her name on it. Sage grinned at the sign being held up by the petite woman with dark curly hair and tawny-colored skin. She was wearing a red-and-black-checkered jacket with a thick turtleneck peeking out from underneath it, along with a sturdy pair of boots.

“Are you Sage Duncan?” the woman asked breathlessly as she reached her side.

“Yes,” she answered with a nod.

“I’m Piper. Trudy’s daughter,” she said, showcasing a set of pearly whites as she smiled at her. “So sorry I’m late. My van didn’t want to start for me. Betsy gets finicky once the temperature plummets. Let me get your luggage.”

“Oh no, I can manage. It’s rather heavy,” Sage explained, feeling guilty about making Piper carry her supersized valise.

“No worries. I’m mightier than I look,” the other woman said with a wink, grabbing the bag and lugging it toward her van. She looked over her shoulder at Sage. “I grew up with an older brother who loved to wrestle. It made me strong.”

Sage chuckled at the image of Piper wrestling her brother. She’d always wanted siblings but had been raised as an only child. Now that she looked back on it, she viewed it in a whole new light. She’d always known she was adopted. According to her father, Jane had struggled with infertility. Aunt Cathy, her mother’s sister, had made a reference at her mother’s funeral about desperate choices she’d made in the past. Although Sage had tried to get her to elaborate, her aunt refused to tell her anything further on the subject.

Sage reached for the poster-board sign, then picked up her small checkered duffel bag and followed behind Piper. She looked around her at the pine trees and the huge mountains looming in the distance. Wow. She really was in a completely different world right now, miles and miles away from sandy beaches and orange groves.

As they drove along snow-covered roads, Piper took the time to point out local landmarks, the shops in the charming downtown area and the Snowy Owl Diner where Piper worked when she wasn’t helping out at the bed-and-breakfast. Sage sat back and tried to let it all soak in.

“Owl Creek isn’t a very big town, but the folks here are tight-knit and friendly.” She let out a throaty chuckle. “That’s not to say there isn’t the occasional drama breaking out, but it usually involves game night or the annual Alaskan cook-off competition. For the most part, this town is the very definition of serenity.”

Sage could use a little peace right about now. She was trying to mourn her mother’s death while wrapping her head around her unforgivable act. It was all so hard to process. But she knew coming to Owl Creek might give her the closure she so desperately craved.

Piper continued. “If you want a good bison burger, come on over and check the diner out. We also make a mean salmon chowder.” Pride rang out in her voice.

“Mmm. Those both sound delicious,” Sage’s appetite kicked up at the mere mention of food. She hadn’t eaten a bite since her layover in Seattle and her tummy was beginning to grumble.

Sage’s heart began to hammer inside her chest as Piper pointed out a white chalet-style shop. A help wanted sign hung in the window. “There’s the famous North Star Chocolate Shop,” Piper told her, slowing down as they drove past it. “It’s one of the main industries of Owl Creek. There’s a factory down the road where they make the chocolate. They give tours twice a week.” She licked her lips. “And they give out chocolate samples.”

“That sounds fun,” Sage said. “I’ll make a point to swing by there.” She hoped her nerves weren’t showing, but it was hard to stay calm, cool and collected when anything related to the North family was mentioned. She had researched the family and memorized their names and faces. Nate and Willa were Lily’s parents. They had two adult children, Connor and Braden. Beulah North was the matriarch and head of the chocolate company. She was married to Jennings. There were also some other cousins, aunts, uncles and distant relations.

While looking at photos of the family, Sage had tried to find a resemblance between herself and the Norths, but there really wasn’t anything discernible. There was a part of her that wondered if Nate and Willa would take one look at her and recognize her as their own. Was such a thing even possible, or was she simply being fanciful? Maybe this was all a grand mistake. Perhaps she wasn’t Lily North after all.

Piper slowed the van down and turned down a snow-covered lane lined with stunning spruce trees. At the end of the street stood a pewter-and-black sign announcing Miss Trudy’s Bed and Breakfast. Piper turned into a driveway and announced, “We’re here!”

The inn was a beautiful yellow Victorian house with white shutters. A bright blue door and a wraparound porch lent the home an inviting look. With the snow nestled on the roof, the bed-and-breakfast looked like something from a quaint Alaskan postcard. To complete the picture, a wooden statue of a moose sat knee-deep in snow in the front yard, and a Siberian husky ran toward the van, barking enthusiastically and wagging its tail.

Sage got out of the vehicle just in time to witness the dog jumping up on Piper and enveloping her in a bear hug. The petite young woman threw back her head and laughed. “Okay, down, Astro. You almost knocked me over.”

Astro ran over toward Sage and began curiously sniffing her. She held out her hand, obliging the husky. When the dog began to lick her hand, Sage knew she’d gotten a stamp of approval. Rather than follow them the toward the house, Astro ran toward the back of the property as if he was on the hunt for something.

As soon as they stepped inside the bed-and-breakfast, Sage felt a heartwarming vibe pulsing in the air. The inn felt cozy and warm. A blazing fire roared in the fireplace, colorful throws and pillows graced the living room area and picturesque photos hung on the walls.

“Hey, Mom. We’re here,” Piper called out, depositing Sage’s luggage by the staircase.

“I’m in the kitchen,” a voice called out.

Piper motioned for Sage to follow her as she walked down the hallway toward the sound of her mother’s voice. Sage let out a low groan at the delicious smells wafting in the air. She wasn’t sure what was cooking—perhaps pasta or bread—but it made her stomach lurch with hunger.

Once they crossed the threshold into the kitchen, Trudy greeted her.

“Sage! I’m so glad you’ve arrived safe and sound.” The innkeeper was nothing like Sage had imagined. In her mind, Sage had envisioned Trudy as a sweet little old lady with white hair and granny glasses. But with her long wavy red hair, colorful bandanna and eclectic attire, she looked fun and stylish. Her green eyes were bright and engaging. Sage thought she was a stunning woman.

Before she could say a word, Trudy enveloped her in a tight hug. Without warning, Sage felt tears pooling in her eyes. This hug felt like home. It reminded her of her own mother and hundreds of embraces they had shared through the years. Trudy smelled like lemons and vanilla and kindness. She inhaled a deep breath and tried to compose herself.

When Trudy released her she stood face-to-face with Sage and looked deeply into her eyes. “You’ve had a long journey to get here. Why don’t you let me show you to your room so you can rest up before dinner?”

“Thanks, Trudy, but if I lie down I probably won’t come back down till morning,” Sage said, chuckling.

“I have to head over to the diner to get ready for the dinner crowd, but I’ll bring Sage’s luggage upstairs to her room,” Piper offered, leaning in to give her mother a kiss on the cheek. “Let’s catch up later.” She swung her gaze toward Sage. “It was great meeting you. Come on over to the diner soon. Your first meal is on me.”

“Thanks for everything, Piper.” Sage liked her a lot already. She appeared to be independent and feisty. And she had treated Sage like an old friend.

A few minutes later a loud bang rang out as Piper slammed the door behind her. Trudy winced, then muttered under her breath. “How many times have I told her not to slam the door?” She cocked her ear to the side, then let out a sigh that sounded like relief. Seconds later, a loud wailing sound echoed from down the hall.

“Now she’s done it! She’s woken up my grandbaby,” Trudy said with a scowl.

Trudy scurried out of the kitchen, only to return a few moments later with a baby in her arms. She was rocking the little girl back and forth while making soft cooing noises to settle her. The baby calmed down and began to nibble on her fingers.

“Would you mind holding her for a moment?” Trudy asked Sage, holding the baby out to her before she even had a chance to answer. “I have to run upstairs to check on a radiator I just heard rattling.”

“Sure,” she answered, gently taking the baby in her arms. Although she didn’t know a whole lot about kids, this little girl looked like a doll come to life. With her wide green eyes, bow-shaped lips and wispy curls, she was destined to be a heartbreaker.

“Hey there,” Sage crooned. “Aren’t you the sweetest little thing?”

The baby gazed up at her with a look of surprise etched on her cherubic face. Her lips began to tremble, and her eyes began to moisten.

“Oh no. Please don’t cry,” Sage pleaded. She began to hum and move from side to side in the hopes of soothing the little girl. What did people do to get babies not to fuss? The tyke opened her mouth and let out a wail.

Sage heard the opening and closing of a door, followed by heavy footsteps.

Please, Lord. Let it be Trudy coming back to rescue me. I can handle second graders, but crying babies are a little bit out of my league.

Suddenly, Hank appeared in the doorway with an expression of utter shock on his face.

His brows knit together in a frown. “Sage! What are you doing here? And why is my daughter crying loud enough to pierce an eardrum?”

Chapter Two

Seeing Sage standing in his mother’s house cradling his baby girl in her arms was a disorienting experience for Hank. On one hand it was incredibly heartwarming, but hearing Addie’s earsplitting cries was also an agonizing sensation. He still hadn’t gotten used to those wailing noises. It always made him feel as if he needed to protect his daughter against anything and everything that might harm her. As her sole living parent, Hank was all she had in this world, along with her grandmother and Piper.

“Hank!” Sage’s eyes went wide. She looked at him then down at Addie then back at him again. “She’s yours?” she asked.

“Dada!” Addie squealed, squirming in Sage’s arms to get to him.

Hank moved toward his daughter with outstretched arms. He plucked Addie from Sage’s grasp and began to rub her back and speak soothingly to her. It had taken him a while to get the hang of it, but now he knew how to placate his daughter. It was all in the tone and touch. Addie immediately began to calm down. She stuck her thumb in her mouth and began to vigorously suck it. Sage was still staring at him with her mouth hanging wide-open.

“She’s mine all right. Every precious inch of her.” He pressed a kiss against Addie’s temple. “I assume you’re staying here at the inn.”

“Yes,” she said with a nod. Her expression radiated confusion. “Trudy’s your mother?”

He grinned at her. “So they tell me.”

Sage didn’t crack a smile. She still looked a bit shell-shocked.

Trudy came rushing back into the room. “Sorry to leave you hanging, Sage. False alarm.” As soon as she spotted her son, the older woman’s face lit up. “Hank! You’re home. How was your trip?” She leaned up and planted a kiss on his cheek. “We missed you.”

“It was time well spent,” the sheriff said, putting his free arm around his mother. “But I’m happy to be back in Owl Creek. I missed my best girls something fierce.”

“So you met Sage?” Trudy asked. “She’s going to be staying here while she’s visiting Owl Creek.”

“We met,” Hank said. “She was bonding with Addie when I got here.”

Sage shot him a look of surprise. He wanted to laugh out loud. She probably thought holding a squalling baby was the furthest thing from bonding. It was fun to ruffle her feathers a tad. She seemed as if she had a tight rein on her emotions, and it would be nice to see her unwind a bit and let loose.

“How about sticking around for dinner?” Trudy asked. “I’m making chicken piccata, one of your favorites.”

Hank had smelled the meal cooking from the moment he’d walked into the house. Between the delectable aroma of the food and Sage’s presence, he really wanted to stay for dinner. Originally he had planned to head back to his house so he could give Addie a bath and spend some quality time with her before supper, but all that flew out the window with his mother’s invitation.

“Don’t mind if I do,” he said, making a funny face so Addie would giggle. He loved the sound of her tinkling laughter. It made him feel as if all was right with the world, even when it wasn’t.

Sage smiled as she watched his interaction with Addie. It made her look even prettier, which didn’t seem humanly possible. He didn’t want to feel anything romantic for Sage, but there was something hovering in the air between them. A type of chemistry he couldn’t ignore. And even though he was loath to pursue anything with her, it didn’t mean he couldn’t sit down for a meal at his mother’s table and enjoy her company.

“How can I say no to my favorite dish?” he asked. “Why don’t you let me set the table for you? How many of us are there this evening?”

“Just the three of us. Piper’s at the diner. And those two journalists went in to town to eat,” Trudy explained with a roll of her eyes. She heaved a little sigh. “Things have been so slow lately with reservations that I was hardly in a position to turn away those muckrakers. But I wish I could have. I just feel so guilty about giving them room and board when they’re working overtime to stir up painful memories here in Owl Creek.”

He reached out and patted his mother on the back. “You’re just giving them a place to lay their heads, Mama. You’re not responsible for what they write or the wounds they might be reopening.”

“Muckrakers?” Sage asked with a frown.

Hank turned toward her. “Hordes of so-called journalists have descended upon us due to the anniversary of the kidnapping. They’ve been a bit intrusive. They’re not all reputable outlets either. It’s put a big strain on the town, mostly on the North family.”

“Oh, that’s terrible,” Sage said, her features creasing with concern. “I can’t imagine how painful it must be to have it all stirred up again.”

Trudy made a tutting sound. “It was such an awful time. All of the memories of it have come crashing back even though most of us have tried to forget. It cast a pall over the whole town. There was a lot of suspicion and finger-pointing.” She shivered. “No one wants to relive it.”

“Willa and Nate pray every day to be reunited with Lily,” Hank added gruffly. “Lord willing, it’ll happen.”

“They’re always in my prayers,” Trudy said. “I truly believe the Lord will show Lily the way back home.”

Hank deposited Addie in her high chair and made quick work of setting the kitchen table. Trudy brought food over from the stove and began placing it on the plates. A nice salad and sourdough bread complemented the meal.

When they sat down to eat, they held hands while his mom prayed over the food. Hank couldn’t deny how nice it felt to feel the warmth of Sage’s hand in his. It had been a long time since he’d held a woman’s hand in his own.

At one point during dinner, he looked over at Sage only to find her staring at his ring finger. He couldn’t really blame her since he had done the same thing to her on the ferry. Nevertheless, Hank felt a sliver of annoyance as it dawned on him why she might be curious. Was Sage one of those people who judged single parents? He had dealt with a few over the past eight months and it made him feel defensive. A sudden noise from Addie caused him to turn in her direction. She was sitting in her high chair with her lip stuck out and a disgruntled expression stamped on her cute little face. It looked as if she was about to wail something fierce. Instinctively, he reached over to try to soothe her.

“Leave her be, Hank,” Trudy said in a scolding tone. “You can’t spoil her at every turn. You can’t let her know she’s got you wrapped around her little finger.”

He let out a sigh, knowing his mother was right.

“I’m a single dad,” he explained, locking gazes with Sage. “Addie’s mom died in an accident about eight months ago. She was three months old at the time and had been living in Kodiak with her mother, Theresa. Sad to say, but I didn’t even know she existed. Then in one fell swoop I found out I was her sole parent.”

Sage let out a gasp. “Finding out about Addie must have turned your world upside down.”

“It did,” Hank acknowledged. “What I knew at the time about babies was next to nothing. But with the help of my mother and sister, I learned the ropes fairly quickly and day by day, things got better. Especially after I let God into my life and became a Christian.” He sighed. “I loved Addie from the first moment I clapped eyes on her, but I think it took her a few weeks to reciprocate those feelings. She missed Theresa something awful. The first time she called me Dada I thought I might fly to the moon out of sheer joy.”

“I can only imagine,” she returned softly.

He met Sage’s gaze head-on. “Sometimes there are things in life you never even knew you desperately needed to make you whole. Addie’s one of those things. God is another.”

Although Hank regretted being intimate with Theresa, his relationship with the Lord had been nonexistent at the time. He hadn’t been a Christian. He had been reeling from the death of his stepfather and questioning everything in his life, which had led him to make poor choices. In the end, Addie had been an absolute blessing.

Trudy reached over and patted Hank’s hand. “Addie couldn’t ask for a finer daddy. Or a better man.”

“Fathers and daughters have a very special bond,” Sage agreed. “There’s nothing quite like it in this world.” She put a piece of chicken in her mouth and delicately chewed it before swallowing.

“It sounds like you’re close to yours,” Hank responded, immediately noticing the way Sage seemed to be fighting back tears. Clearly the subject of fathers and daughters had struck a nerve.

She nodded and looked down at her plate. “I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. When I was growing up I seriously thought he hung the moon and that he was responsible for the stars twinkling up in the heavens.”

Hank let out a low whistle as he laid his fork on his plate. “I can only hope Addie feels that way about me someday. He must be a very loving father.”

“He is,” Sage murmured, toying with her food and not making eye contact.

Hank had the feeling she might be a little homesick. Perhaps she was having regrets about traveling all this way to Owl Creek. He had never been to Florida, but he knew it was a far cry from Alaska both in climate and the way of life.

He had a strange feeling about the mysterious newcomer. Perhaps it was his law enforcement background or maybe it was his desire to keep Sage at arm’s length, but for the life of him, Hank couldn’t rid himself of the notion that something was a bit off with Sage Duncan. Why had this beautiful woman come all the way to Alaska to a small hamlet like Owl Creek? And why did it seem as if she might be hiding something?

Shortly after dinner, Trudy brought Sage upstairs so she could settle in for the night. Sage let out a contented sigh as she entered the spacious room. It was beautifully decorated. The first thing she noticed was a queen-size mahogany sleigh bed with a pink-and-white-floral coverlet. Next to the bed sat a night table with a big bouquet of flowers. The wallpaper was old-fashioned—white swans against a gray background. It would be a lovely place to call home for the duration of her stay in town.

Trudy bid her good-night and advised her to sleep in tomorrow. Sage felt grateful for the innkeeper’s nurturing manner and her desire to make sure she wasn’t overtaxing herself. Truthfully, she was beyond exhausted, and it was fairly shocking she could still keep her eyes open.

Sage quickly went into the adjoining bathroom, washing her face and brushing her teeth in record time. Then she pulled on a pair of flannel pajamas and crawled under the covers.

However, as tired as she felt, her mind refused to shut down. There were so many thoughts whizzing through her brain. Hearing about the suffering of the North family hadn’t been pleasant. She felt incredibly guilty that they were still on edge wondering what had happened to their daughter. Time had done nothing to close those wounds, and it angered her that people in search of a juicy story were making their suffering even worse.

Guilt pierced her insides. Could she single-handedly take away their pain? But what if she was wrong? All she had were her mother’s dying words and a few newspaper clippings she’d found hiding in an old trunk. When she’d pressed him, her father had expressed astonishment about the kidnapping. According to him, he’d been completely in the dark. And the fact was, Jane hadn’t been the most stable person. Sage had fuzzy memories of her mother having a breakdown when she was roughly eight years old. Could she have become fixated on the case and created this fantastical story?

Perhaps it was nothing more than a delusion. If she came forward and mistakenly made a claim about being Lily North, she would be no better than all the others who made false claims and subjected the North family to more agony.

No. It was far better for her to investigate the situation a little further and make peace with what had transpired. If that was even possible.

Hank’s face flashed before her eyes. Just seeing him doting on his adorable baby girl had caused a hitch in her heart. Addie was pure sweetness and light; Hank’s adoration for his daughter was unmistakable.

There was something so uplifting about seeing a man single-handedly raising his daughter. It reminded her of her own father and their incredibly close bond. At times during her childhood, Sage had felt as if she only had one parent due to her mother’s illness. Her dad had always been there for her during the rough times, cheering her on and providing her with guidance. Sage had loved her mother dearly, but they hadn’t shared the same powerful connection as she and her father.

Hank had asked her earlier this evening about her father. It had caused an immediate emotional response. For all intents and purposes, Eric Duncan was Sage’s sole familial connection. He was all she had in the world. There had never been uncles or cousins or grandparents. As far back as she could remember, it had just been the three of them, along with Aunt Cathy, her mother’s sister. Although Aunt Cathy hadn’t been a big part of Sage’s life, she’d been very close to her sister.

Sadly, she now knew that she wasn’t the legally adopted child of Jane and Eric Duncan. Her whole life had been a huge lie. Sage didn’t really know who she was. And while she should be mourning her mother’s passing, all she could do was wonder if she had ever truly known the woman who’d raised her. Although her father had always been a man of faith, who regularly quoted scripture to Sage, took her to church services and volunteered for their church’s outreach programs, her mother hadn’t shown herself to be religious in any way, shape or form. Because of her mother’s oddities, Sage hadn’t ever questioned it. Perhaps it had been guilt, she reckoned, for having ripped a baby away from her parents.

Her father had been little or no help when she had questioned him about her mother’s shocking confession. He had claimed Jane had told him she’d rescued her from two underage teens who hadn’t been able or willing to raise her. He’d been convinced she had been an abandoned baby. Eric hadn’t pressed for details since Jane had shown signs of mental instability and he’d never wanted to rock the boat. He had been so overjoyed to have a child in their lives after years of infertility that he had overlooked all the red flags and accepted her story without question.

All the color had been leeched from his face when Sage had shown him the newspaper clippings and the online reports regarding the kidnapping.

“I’m going to jail,” he had said in a hoarse voice. “No one will ever believe I didn’t play a role in taking you from your birth family.”

“I won’t let that happen, Daddy. Not ever,” Sage had assured him. She had thrown her arms around him and held on for dear life, knowing she could never sacrifice the man who’d raised her. Never in a million years could she ever believe he had been her mother’s accomplice in stealing a baby.

She would keep her promise to her father, no matter how dearly it cost her.

As Sage began to drift off to sleep, she murmured a prayer. God had been by her side throughout her life, and even though she was dealing with extremely difficult circumstances, she knew He wouldn’t forsake her. Surely something good would come from her being in Owl Creek.

Please, Lord, help me find the closure I’m seeking. Give me the strength to forgive my mother for her actions and to do what’s right. I don’t know what to do with all of these feelings or how to react when I come face-to-face with the North family. Grant me the wisdom to know how to proceed in the best interests of everyone involved.

Chapter Three

Hank drove down Main Street as a feeling of contentment spread through him. Snow had fallen late last night, covering the landscape with a healthy dusting of the frosty white stuff. There was no finer place in his opinion than Owl Creek, the place he was fortunate enough to call home. Being in Homer had been an interesting change of pace, but he wouldn’t trade his hometown for anything in this world. He beeped his horn a few times at passersby, who called out friendly greetings to him in return.

He loved being out and about during office hours. He had just come from Opal Reed’s house after rescuing her cat from the clutches of a snowy owl who had been hiding in her barn.

Opal had insisted on thanking him with tea and chocolate chip cookies. Earlier this morning he had been called out to settle a dispute between two fishermen who were feuding over a rare blue-colored king crab. Hank had managed to calm the situation down and convince Lou Baskin and Denny Phillips to share the unusual crustacean. When he’d left them the pair had been taking selfies together with the crab and cracking jokes about alerting the media. He chuckled at how raging controversies could be settled so amicably once people used their hearts and common sense.

Small-town life might not be for everyone, but he wouldn’t trade it any day of the week for a high-paying job in a big city.

He frowned as he spotted a few journalists standing outside the North Star Chocolate Factory. They were like buzzards who had descended upon them in droves.

It was a downright shame how people had no respect for boundaries anymore. Nor did they understand that the North family had been through the worst tragedy a family could endure. In every practical way, they were still stuck in limbo with no sense of closure. He truly wondered if they would ever achieve it. Connor didn’t talk about it a lot, but he knew the weight of it hung around his neck like an anchor.

Hank pulled into a spot right in front of the Snowy Owl Diner. The sheriff’s office was only a short walk down the street from his go-to restaurant, which made it convenient. Once he stepped out of his squad car, he beat a fast path toward the diner. He was right on time for his weekly lunch with his two best buddies. His stomach groaned as he entered the establishment.

With a wave at Piper, who was behind the counter serving up meals, he headed toward a table in the back of the diner. Both Gabriel and Connor were already seated and engaged in an animated conversation. Hank slid into the booth next to Gabriel in a seat facing the door. As a sheriff he always wanted to be able to see who was coming and going. It had been ingrained in him when he was in the police academy.

“Hey, Sheriff. What’s going on? How was Homer?” Gabe asked, clapping him on the back as a form of greeting. With his warm brown skin, dimples and soulful brown eyes, he exuded raw charm and personality. Hank couldn’t remember a time when they hadn’t been friends. Matter of fact, the three of them had been tight since they were in preschool. The three musketeers. One for all and all for one.

“It was great to connect with other law enforcement officials. I was able to spend some time with my buddy Boone Prescott, but I couldn’t wait to get home to Addie,” he confessed. He felt a little sheepish admitting it. Neither Connor nor Gabriel had even the slightest idea of how a child could transform a person’s life. Until recently, he hadn’t either. It wasn’t all unicorns and sunshine, but it was the purest love he’d ever known. Hank hoped one day they would both know that type of unconditional love.

Connor shook his head and chuckled. “If someone had told me a year ago that you’d be hightailing it home to change diapers I would have laughed myself silly.”

“Go ahead and laugh,” Hank responded. “That little princess makes me happy just by looking in my direction.”

“We know she does,” Gabe chimed in. “No one deserves happiness more than you, buddy.”

“Right back atcha,” Hank responded.

Hank saw a glint of sadness flickering in Gabriel’s eyes. Within seconds it vanished, replaced by his congenial smile. Hank felt a burst of sympathy for his friend. If things hadn’t unraveled with Rachel, he might have had his own child by now. Instead, Gabe was still nursing a broken heart.

Connor sent Hank a look laced with meaning. He also understood Gabriel hadn’t yet moved past having his bride run out on him forty-eight hours before the wedding. It hurt Hank to even think about how devastated his pal had been to lose the other half of his heart three years ago.

Rosie the waitress stopped by the table and poured coffee into Hank’s mug. When he opened his mouth to put his order in, she shook her head. “They already ordered for you.”

He looked at Gabriel and Connor, then shook his head. “How did you know what I wanted to eat?”

Rosie rolled her eyes. “Hank, you order the same thing every time you eat lunch here. Trust me, it’s not a national secret.”

As Rosie walked away, both Connor and Gabe threw back their heads in laughter. Hank joined in and began chuckling right along with them. Hanging out with these guys always made him feel better.

Both men were sought-after bachelors in Owl Creek. Connor, as the heir to the North Star Chocolate Company, was viewed as the ultimate catch, while most of the single ladies in town wanted to soothe Gabriel’s shattered heart. Neither seemed particularly interested in settling down, however. Not that he should talk. Although he had once dreamed of picket fences and the storybook happy ending, he hadn’t thought of those things in a very long time.

“So how are you holding up?” Hank asked Connor. He could see the telltale signs of stress on Connor’s face. Slight shadows rested under his eyes and creases lined the sides of his mouth. Hank knew he had a lot weighing on his mind.

Connor shrugged. “It’s been rough, particularly on my folks. No wonder Braden headed off to parts unknown. The anniversary is always intense, but this year it’s ten times worse with all the hoopla surrounding it.”

Connor’s younger brother, Braden, hadn’t stuck around Owl Creek to endure the onslaught. He was off somewhere trekking in the Himalayas and seeking out adventures. Hank felt a surge of anger toward Braden for deserting his family during their hour of need. But he knew it wasn’t right to judge the situation since he hadn’t walked in his shoes. Being a sibling to a kidnapped and missing baby hadn’t been easy on either Connor or Braden. The ripples of the kidnapping were far-reaching and complex.

Hank sat up straight in his booth when Sage walked into the diner. He watched as Piper came from behind the counter and greeted her with a big hug. It would have been impossible not to notice Sage in her hot-pink coat and matching beret. The sight of her gave Hank a little boost on an otherwise humdrum day. He felt his mood soaring.

He couldn’t help but notice a few other men in the diner looking in her direction too. A feeling of possessiveness rose up inside him. An attractive woman showing up in Owl Creek was rarer than a comet sighting. It made him feel a little grumpy to know other guys might be interested in Sage, which was ridiculous since he wasn’t in the market for romance...

“Hank? Hank? Earth to Hank!” Connor said, waving a hand in front of his face.

“Sorry. I got distracted,” he muttered, managing to drag his gaze away from Sage.

“I see who has your attention and she’s quite the looker,” Gabriel drawled, his eyes alight with merriment. “I don’t blame you one bit.”

Connor turned around and craned his neck. Hank kicked him under the table.

“Ouch! What did you do that for?” Connor asked as he reached down and rubbed his shin.

“Because I don’t want Sage to think we’re staring at her,” Hank grumbled.

“Even though we are,” Gabe said with a good-natured chuckle.

“Sage? Who is Sage?” Connor asked, glaring at Hank.

“She’s just arrived in Owl Creek from Florida and she’s staying at my mom’s inn,” Hank explained. He didn’t bother talking about how gorgeous she was or how she piqued his interest as no other woman had in quite some time.

“Please tell me she’s not a journalist,” Connor said with a groan, his expression mournful. “I’m a little sick of them shoving microphones in my face and taking my picture.”

“Not even close,” Hank answered. “She’s a second grade teacher.”

“Good!” Connor picked up his mug of coffee and took a long sip.

Hank swung his gaze up just in time to see Sage being seated at the booth diagonal to where they were sitting. She looked surprised when their eyes met. He lifted his mug up in greeting and waved to her with his other hand. She nodded in his direction and smiled.

Although Hank went back to his conversation with his best friends, he had a hard time focusing on chitchat when Sage was so close. She was proving to be a beautiful distraction, one Hank couldn’t allow to disrupt his tranquil world.

From the moment she’d walked into the Snowy Owl Diner, Sage had felt as if she was on display. The stares and whispers of the townsfolk didn’t escape her notice. She wasn’t entirely certain if she was being treated with suspicion or mere curiosity. Was it possible they recognized something about her? Perhaps she was simply being paranoid. It was a bit awkward to walk around town harboring an explosive secret that could change the lives of several people in Owl Creek.

The diner was cheery and bright, with red leather booths and lemon yellow walls. The countertops were white marble and the floors were a black-and-white parquet. A five-foot bubble gum machine sat on display by the hostess stand.

As soon as she’d spotted her, Piper raced to her side, which had been a huge relief to Sage. The vivacious young woman had quickly whisked her over to a table and taken her order, reminding her that it was on the house. She felt thankful for Piper’s presence. It felt a bit disorienting to know such a small number of people in town, and once again, she asked herself if coming here had been a colossal mistake.

“Don’t worry about the stares,” Piper said in a reassuring tone. “This is a small Alaskan town where everyone has known one another since the cradle. You’re a novelty.” Piper winked at her. “And a pretty one at that. You’re going to get noticed.”

You’re going to get noticed. Her stomach sank upon hearing Piper’s words. In actuality it was the last thing Sage wanted. Going under the radar had been her goal. She was beginning to realize it might be almost impossible in a town this size.

When Sage saw Hank seated a few feet away from her, there was no mistaking the little butterflies racing around in her stomach at the sight of him. Thankfully, the menu had provided a nice distraction from his close proximity, and she’d ordered herself a delectable lunch.

“Here’s your bison burger with a side of rosemary fries,” Piper announced as she placed Sage’s plate down in front of her. “Take a bite and tell me if you like it.”

Sage nodded and dug in. Piper was staring at her with barely contained excitement. Clearly, she wanted to know Sage’s opinion about her culinary offerings.

The burger was juicy and cooked to perfection. The flavor of the meat popped on her tongue. It was definitely a unique taste she hadn’t experienced before. “It’s delicious,” she said, feeling pleased she could give Piper positive feedback. “Cooked and seasoned to perfection.”

“Yes!” Piper crowed in an animated voice as she raised her fist in the air. She did a little dance back toward the counter. Sage let out a giggle at her antics. Sometimes she wished she could be as spontaneous as the other woman seemed to be. Traveling to Owl Creek was probably the most daring thing she had ever done in her life. Only time would tell if it had been a wise decision.

Although she tried to block it out, Sage could hear the conversation between Hank and his two friends as clear as day. She knew without a doubt that one of his lunch companions was Connor North. He had walked by her table a few moments ago and she’d nearly let out a gasp of surprise at the sight of him. With his dark hair, blue eyes and striking features, he looked remarkably like the press photos of him. She felt her pulse quickening at the idea of being so close to someone who might be her blood relation.

“I’ve hired a team of private investigators to look into the case,” Connor was saying, his tone radiating intensity.

“Do you really think they’ll come up with anything after all this time?” their companion asked.

“I don’t know, Gabriel. When it happened, my family hired the best private investigators money could buy, but the trail went cold,” Connor responded. His expression looked grim. “I do know that I want this thing to be pursued until all leads are checked out. Someone has to know something. People just don’t vanish into thin air.”

“I completely agree with you,” Hank said with a nod. “It would have been near impossible to pull off something like that without anyone knowing about it.”

The man named Gabriel nodded and kept eating his meal.

Connor banged his fist on the table, causing both men to look up at him. “Someone needs to be prosecuted for abducting my sister! My family has been through the ringer and we deserve peace.”

Suddenly their voices quieted, and they were now talking in hushed tones. A part of Sage felt relieved she could no longer hear their conversation. It had gotten way too intense.

Peace. Sage also wished peace for the North family. It was one of the reasons she had come to Owl Creek. She had hoped to discover that the North family was doing just fine all these years later. If that was the case, it would be much easier for her to walk away and stop torturing herself with images of faded press clippings and age-enhanced photos of a missing baby girl. She could put a lid on this whole nightmare.

But judging by Connor’s anger and the things she had overheard him say, it wasn’t even close to happening. The Norths were still struggling, and Connor was seeking vengeance. A reckoning of some sort for his sister’s disappearance.

Sage shivered at the idea of what might happen if she revealed herself as Lily North. They might not even believe her story. And if they did, her beloved father could be the target of that quest for justice. He might be prosecuted and incarcerated. She might lose him forever.

Above all else, Sage couldn’t allow that to happen. Throughout her life, especially when her mother had been having emotional difficulties, Eric Duncan had been her rock. Without him, she might not have made it through the tender middle school and teen years with her self-esteem and beliefs intact. He had taught her what it meant to be a child of God and a woman with strong convictions. Although she had loved her mother very much, her father had always been her world.

And that, she vowed, would never change.

By the time Hank had finished his lunch and calmed Connor down a bit, Sage was gone. He stuffed down his disappointment. He had intended to stop by her table on his way out and check in on her. But while he had been serving as a listening ear to Connor, Sage had slipped out of the restaurant. It shouldn’t matter to him that she’d left, but it did. Hank really didn’t want to examine the reasons why.

With a sigh, he headed out of the diner and walked down the street toward the sheriff’s office. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have things to do. He had a bunch of paperwork to complete as well as checking in on a few older residents who lived farther out from town. Some of them didn’t have working phones and tended to be off-the-grid. Hank made it his personal mission to make sure they were safe and sound. Even if you were a born-and-bred Alaskan, winters could be challenging.

He hadn’t walked more than twenty feet away from the diner when he saw a flash of pink. Sage was standing in the middle of the sidewalk looking around her in all directions.

A feeling of relief swept through him at the sight of her.

“Sage! You look a little confused. Are you lost?”

A sheepish expression crossed her face. “I got a little turned around. Trudy told me how to get to my destination, but needless to say, I walked in a big circle. I’m not sure where I went wrong.”

“Where are you headed?”

“The chocolate factory. I was hoping to get a tour.” She sniffed the air. “I’m surprised I can’t smell it from here.”

Hank grinned. “Oh, trust me. When you get close to it, you can smell the chocolate. It’s utterly delectable.”

Sage rubbed her mittened hands together like a little kid. “I’m looking forward to it. Chocolate is my weakness.” It had been a long time since Hank had seen someone so excited about the North Star Chocolate Factory. Although the townsfolk loved it, they were also used to it, so people didn’t tend to get overly animated about it. It was like having the Grand Canyon in your hometown. You knew it was spectacular, but you didn’t rave about it all the time.

“How about I drive you over there? It’s not far, but you’re going to slip and slide all over the place in those boots.” Hank really didn’t want to keep harping on Sage’s attire, but she was going to find out the hard way that frostbite was a very real thing in wintry Alaska.

Sage made a face and looked down at her suede boots. “Getting a sturdier pair is on my to-do list. Trudy told me to order some genuine, Alaskan-made boots. Lovely Boots she called them.”

“That’s good advice.” He nodded, then pointed toward his squad car. “It’s a quick ride to the chocolate factory. I don’t mind taking you, Sage. That way you can orient yourself to the downtown area.”

“I don’t want to inconvenience you since you’re on the clock,” she demurred.

“No worries there,” Hank said. “If there’s any kind of emergency I can be reached at all times.” He flashed her his best smile. “I consider it my civic duty since you’re a visitor to Owl Creek.”

“If it’s not a bother, I accept,” she acquiesced, walking beside him toward his squad car.

A feeling of triumph roared through him. There was something about this woman that made him want to be in her orbit. At the same time, he couldn’t get rid of the sinking feeling she was being a bit standoffish. Or perhaps he was simply jaded based on his past. It wasn’t fair to view her through a cracked lens.

He opened the door for Sage, then waited as she slid into the seat. Once he got behind the wheel, Hank started the engine and backed out of his spot and onto Main Street.

He looked over at her. “Have you ever gotten a ride in a squad car?”

“I can’t say I have,” she answered. “I’ve always been a rule follower. When I was a kid, I always colored inside the lines.”

Hank wasn’t sure whether Sage realized it or not, but her statement told him a lot about her. “I had my first ride in a squad car when I was six years old.” Hank chuckled at the memory. “I stole a candy bar from the local market. Trudy insisted the store owner call the sheriff’s office to report me. The sheriff arrived and put me in the back of the squad car and lectured me about how stealing was a crime and a sin. I had just learned the Ten Commandments so I was shaking in my boots.”

“That’s a bit harsh for a six-year-old,” Sage said, making a tutting sound. “You must have been terrified.”

“Not really.” He cast her a glance. “You see, the sheriff was my father. And what I learned on that particular day has stuck with me ever since.” Hank looked away from her and kept his eyes on the road. “On the way home he made a few stops to different townsfolk who needed his help. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the way they looked at him and how grateful they were for his assistance. On that very day I decided to be just like him so I could be the type of man he was.”

“So you decided to become a sheriff like your dad. Have you managed to live up to his image?”

“Not even close,” he said, letting out a ragged sigh. “But I’ll keep trying.”

As they rounded the block, Hank pointed out the side street he was cutting down from Main Street. “So from where you were standing in front of the post office, you head down Spruce Street, then make the left onto Forrest, then you continue straight and it’ll be coming up on the left.” A few moments later, Hank turned into the lot for the North Star Chocolate Factory. “And here we are,” he announced. “The place where the chocolate goodness happens.”

Sage was peering out the window with her face almost pressed against the glass. “What’s going on here? Why is there such a large crowd? Perhaps they really are giving away free chocolate.”

As he drove closer to the entrance, Hank noticed a swarm of journalists buzzing around the building. He recognized the two men who were staying at his mother’s inn along with a host of others he’d seen around town over the last week. Releasing a groan, he parked his vehicle in front of the entrance. “Those are the muckrakers Trudy was talking about.”

Sage looked at him with wide eyes. “Why are they all standing around?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out,” he said, getting out of the squad car. Just for good measure, Hank flipped the blue-and-red flashing lights on. He prayed the situation didn’t get ugly, but he needed to make sure order was maintained in his town.

By the time he went around to open Sage’s door, she’d already stepped out of the squad car. She was looking at the mayhem as if she’d rather be anywhere else but here. He couldn’t say he blamed her.

“These journalists are walking a fine line between freedom of the press and harassment,” Hank muttered.

“Something tells me I won’t be touring the chocolate factory today,” Sage said, her expression radiating disappointment.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get a tour soon.” Hank reassured her.

Suddenly Hank spotted Connor’s parents, who were standing on the top step of the entrance to the factory. The journalists were at the bottom of the stairs, jockeying for position as they clicked their cameras and held out their microphones. Nate and Willa North had their arms joined and appeared to be preparing to make a statement. Nate held a piece of paper in his other hand.

Confusion swept over him. Connor hadn’t mentioned anything about his parents having a press conference. Clearly he hadn’t known anything about it.

Nate cleared his throat and effectively commanded everyone’s attention. The crowd stilled and hushed. “Hello, everyone. Because the press is here in Owl Creek, we would like to do something we have contemplated doing for twenty-five years.” He reached for his wife’s hand. “We are humbly offering a sum of one million dollars to anyone who can lead us to our missing daughter, Lily, and to the person or persons who abducted her.”

Bedlam ensued with the journalists screaming questions at the couple until Nate raised his fingers to his mouth and let out a deafening whistle. “Recent developments in the case have given us reassurance that Lily is out there.” He looked over at his wife who nodded at him.

Nate continued to speak. “We’ve received a letter from the person who we believe stole our precious girl. It states that Lily is alive and well. And it’s given us our best lead yet in finding our daughter and bringing her abductors to justice. We’re hoping a monetary offering will be a huge incentive in aiding this investigation.”

As town sheriff, Hank had known about the letter for weeks now. He, along with the Norths’ legal team and the FBI, had encouraged the family to keep a lid on it. Now the cat was out of the bag and the journalists would have a field day with the information. He wasn’t sure what Nate and Willa were thinking in making the information public, although he knew they were probably feeling desperate and running on fumes. Twenty-five years was a long time to be in limbo.

Hank ran a hand through his hair and drew in a deep breath. He turned to Sage to suggest she reschedule her visit to the factory for another day, only to find her gone. He whirled around and surveyed the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of her hot-pink beret. Coming up empty, Hank walked over to his squad car just to make sure Sage hadn’t sought refuge inside the vehicle. The passenger seat was empty.

Sage had vanished into thin air without a single word of goodbye.

Chapter Four

By the time Sage raced back to Main Street and away from the North Star Chocolate Factory, she felt out of breath and a bit light-headed. It had been a surreal feeling to find herself standing mere feet away from Nate and Willa North, the people she believed to be her biological parents. She had walked straight into a chaotic press conference and now her heart was full of so many conflicting emotions.

Our precious girl. Hearing those words had caused a tightening sensation to spread through her chest. Her feelings were all over the place after hearing the longing in Nate North’s voice. It brought to the surface emotions she’d been stuffing down her entire life. There had always been a part of her that didn’t feel as if she’d belonged. In truth, she hadn’t. She had been living Sage Duncan’s life when in reality she’d been Lily North the whole time.

At this rate she wasn’t sure she could keep up this facade without blurting out the truth.

Was it cruel to keep silent when her birth parents were desperately searching for her? Her mind was scrambling to process what she’d just heard. Had her mother really sent the North family a letter? A confession? And, if so, was there a trail leading directly back to her father? Jane Duncan had always been unpredictable, and even though she’d been bedridden in the last few weeks of her life, Sage knew her mother had always been extremely resourceful.

Perhaps she should have stayed back at the chocolate factory to learn more, but her body had been in flight mode and her legs had carried her swiftly away from the press conference as if on autopilot.

Sage bit her lip. Before she went off the deep end, she needed facts. She wasn’t going to fall apart until she had something concrete to go on. Perhaps the letter had been written by an attention seeker motivated by the twenty-fifth anniversary of the kidnapping. Hadn’t Hank told her that scam artists had been coming out of the woodwork as of late? Maybe she was worrying about nothing.

Still, Sage felt a bit guilty about leaving Hank in the lurch since he’d been so kind to her. He probably thought she was a flake after she’d bailed on him. She let out a deeply held breath, watching as the cold air condensed in front of her eyes. Why was she even fretting about it? She didn’t need a town sheriff in her business. It would be like putting her feet too close to the fire. Hank had strong ties to the North family and he worked in law enforcement. In this explosive situation, those were two strikes against him.

Too bad he was all kinds of handsome and a bit of a sweetheart. Driving her over to the chocolate factory had been a nice gesture, but she should have refused the offer. Sage couldn’t allow herself to get too close to anyone in this town, particularly not a man who’d vowed to uphold the law.

A quick glance at her watch told her she still had a few hours before she was due to meet up with Trudy, who was giving her a ride back to the bed-and-breakfast. She’d been planning to spend the afternoon touring the chocolate factory, but the impromptu press conference had changed her plans. Perhaps she could kill some time exploring the shops on Main Street, although it would be mighty embarrassing if Hank drove by and spotted her. She didn’t have a single idea as to how to explain why she’d run off.

Sage was standing a few feet away from a quaint shop window adorned with lovely curtains and a display of brightly colored teapots. She moved closer and pressed her face against the frosted-over window to get a better look. The interior looked cozy and warm. A soft glow emanated from inside. It seemed like the perfect place to take a load off her feet.

She looked up at the dainty gold sign hanging above the entrance. Tea Time. It was the shop Trudy had told her about this morning. Frankly, she could use a nice cup of tea at the moment. If she ducked inside she could avoid the possibility of running into Hank and having to explain why she’d taken off. What could she possibly say to explain her disappearing act?

Sage slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside. The scent of lavender hung in the air. She looked around with a feeling of wonder. It felt as if she had stepped back in time to another era. The tea shop was decorated with plush velvet chairs, stunning rugs and silk fans hanging on the walls. A brightly lit chandelier hung from the ceiling and brocade wallpaper graced the walls. A whimsical photo of a bear in a pink tutu hung by the front desk, along with an old-fashioned telephone.

The place was fairly empty but there was a low hum of voices emanating from the dining room. A tall woman with dark brown skin approached Sage with a welcoming smile. “Hello. I’m Iris Lawson. Welcome to Tea Time. Are you a party of one?” she asked.

Sage nodded. “Yes, it’s just me today.”

“Perfect. Let me show you to a table.” Sage followed behind Iris, taking in all the lovely details of the establishment along the way.

Once she was seated at a table, Iris handed her a menu. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to take your order. Let me know if you have any questions.”

Sage looked around her with curiosity. There was an older woman sitting by herself at a neighboring table. She was a striking woman with jet-black hair streaked with silver. She had a widow’s peak much like Sage’s own and she was wearing an elaborate navy blue hat with a peacock feather on top. A pearl necklace graced her neck. She looked regal. Sage made eye contact with the woman and smiled.

“Are you a first timer?” the woman asked.

Sage nodded. “Yes. It looked so lovely when I peered through the window, I couldn’t resist coming inside.” Truthfully, it reminded her of a tearoom her mother used to take her to when she was a little girl of eight or nine. The sweet memory was jarring in the face of her mother’s shocking confession. At the moment she was struggling to make sense of the dual sides of Jane Duncan. Loving mother versus heartless criminal.

The woman continued to speak. “Isn’t it exquisite? I make it a point to come here several times a week. You’re in for a treat.”

Sage had a niggling feeling she’d seen this woman before. She looked so familiar.

Suddenly it came to her. She was Beulah North, the matriarch of the North family. Studying her birth family prior to her arrival in Owl Creek had been a smart move on her part. Strangely, it gave her comfort to recognize a few people from her family tree.

“I don’t blame you,” Sage murmured. “It’s a beautiful place to sit back and relax.”

“If you’re not waiting for anyone, I’d love some company. It appears my date has stood me up.” Beulah nodded toward one of the empty chairs at her table.

“I’d be happy to join you. Thanks for asking,” Sage said as she gathered up her purse, then stood up and made her way over to Beulah’s nearby table. Although Beulah had no way of knowing it, Sage was so nervous her knees were knocking together. She wanted so badly to make a good impression on her grandmother.

“I’m Beulah North. And you are?” she asked, sticking out her hand to Sage.

“Sage Duncan,” she replied, shaking the elegant woman’s hand.

“Nice to meet you, Sage. Are you a newcomer to Owl Creek? Surely I’d remember seeing a young lady as beautiful as you are around town.”

Sage felt herself blushing. “You’re too kind.”

“Not really,” Beulah said, wrinkling her nose. “I’m known in Owl Creek for telling it like it is.” She winked at Sage. “Some people here in town find it off-putting at times.”

Sage chuckled. “To answer your question, I’m only a temporary resident here in town.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. I’m visiting for roughly six weeks...and I’m a teacher, so I suppose you could call it a sabbatical.”

Beulah regarded her with knowing eyes. “Say no more. I know what it’s like to be overwhelmed and want to hide away from the world for a bit.” She reached across the table and patted Sage’s hand. “Owl Creek is the perfect place to reflect and take stock of your life.”

Sage opened her mouth to tell Beulah she hadn’t come to Alaska for those reasons. But what would she say? It was out of the question to blurt out her real reasons for making this incredible trek to Alaska. Beulah might pass out if she told her she was her long-lost stolen grandbaby. Or she might assume Sage was yet another fraud bent on deception. No, for the time being, it was far better for Beulah and the rest of the townsfolk to believe she’d come to Owl Creek seeking a refuge from the storms of life. Once the truth came out, her father could be swept up in a cloud of suspicion and legal wrangling. The thought of it made her shudder.

Iris provided a welcome distraction by appearing at their table with a wide grin on her face and pushing a tea cart laden with goodies. “I wondered if the two of you might wind up sitting together. Afternoon tea is much better with company.” She looked over at Sage. “I brought over Beulah’s favorite lavender tea. Let me know if you’d like something else instead.”

“I’m not fussy about tea or food, so I’m sure it will be fine,” Sage said, inhaling the heady aromas of the various teas. “Everything smells delicious.”

Iris placed the steaming teapot down on the table along with a three-tiered stand overflowing with finger sandwiches, tiny cakes, scones and miniature muffins. Even though she’d recently eaten lunch, Sage’s hunger kicked in at the sight of the scrumptious treats.

“Enjoy!” Iris said before walking off toward another table.

Beulah lifted the teapot and leaned toward Sage to pour tea into her cup. Her movements were graceful. Once Beulah served herself, they both began adding sweeteners and milk to their cups. Sage reached for a cucumber sandwich and a blueberry scone. The two of them settled into a companionable silence as they drank their tea.

“Do you like chocolate?” Beulah asked. She seemed to be sitting on the edge of her seat, anxiously awaiting Sage’s reply.

“Is that even a question?” Sage asked with a chuckle. “I didn’t know it was possible for a person not to like chocolate.” She lifted her teacup up to her mouth and took a sip of the piping hot tea.

Beulah threw her head back and let out a hearty laugh. Her tinkling laughter filled the air and warmed Sage’s heart. Beulah North radiated an air of goodness. Given everything the North family had been put through, it made Sage feel hopeful. As awful as the kidnapping had been it clearly hadn’t destroyed Beulah or her zest for life.

“I’m serious,” she said. “I love all kinds. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate. Chocolate-covered cherries. Truffles. Pecan clusters. Caramel chocolate. Honestly, I’m crazy about all of them.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more. In my world, chocolate is a staple. I’ve loved it ever since I came out of the womb, which is one of the dozens of reasons I married my husband, Jennings, bless his heart. His family created the North Star Chocolate Company right here in Owl Creek.”

“That’s impressive. I’ve heard a lot about it. I really wanted to take a tour of the factory this afternoon, but it was quite hectic over there this morning with the press conference and the media crush.”

Suddenly, there was a look of distress etched on the older woman’s features. Sage could have kicked herself for blurting out the news. Perhaps Beulah hadn’t known anything at all about her family’s statement to the press. If that was true, Sage had spilled the beans.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “That was insensitive of me. I didn’t mean to dredge up an uncomfortable topic.”

Beulah paused to take a sip of her tea. “There’s no need to apologize. I knew all about the press conference, which is why I’m sitting right here at this table sipping my favorite tea and enjoying your lovely company. I opted out of it.”

Sage sensed Beulah wanted to talk, so she simply stayed quiet and listened.

“This time of year isn’t easy for my family,” Beulah admitted. “I’m sure you’ve heard a little something about it, but twenty-five years ago we suffered a terrible loss. My sweet granddaughter Lily was stolen from us.” She shuddered. “Gone without a trace. It’s amazing how in some ways time has stood still and we’re all still waiting for some type of closure. I just couldn’t go to that dark place today.” Beulah scoffed. “I must sound like a real chicken, but my heart has been knocked around a bit in the years since we lost Lily. I don’t want to hope for her return only to have my heart ripped out of my chest again. My sweet Jennings has been affected deeply by it. Most days he doesn’t even venture outside.”

Tears pooled in Beulah’s eyes, which in turn caused a huge lump to rise to Sage’s throat.

Instinctively, she reached across the table and squeezed Beulah’s hand. “You don’t sound like a chicken at all. You sound like a woman who has been through a terrible ordeal. I’m so sorry.” It hurt to see Beulah so wounded and to know that she was tied up in the pain the North family had endured. It was one thing to know it from a distance, but now she was up close and personal to the living, breathing people whose lives had been forever altered by her mother’s selfish actions.

“You’re a very kind woman, Sage. And I’m going to personally make sure you receive that tour of the chocolate factory.” She beamed at Sage. “Matter of fact, I’m going to show you around myself.” Beulah’s gaze drifted to a point past Sage’s shoulder. Within seconds, Sage looked up to find Hank standing next to their table with his arms folded across his chest. His steely gaze was focused on Sage.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Hank drawled, his eyes full of questions. “I was wondering where you’d disappeared to. Was it something I said?”

Hank couldn’t deny the slight thrill he got from putting Sage on the spot. The look on her face when he’d appeared at her table had been priceless. Her eyes were as wide as saucers and her mouth had opened without any words coming out. He reckoned it was safe to say she was speechless. Beulah, on the other hand, seemed as if she had plenty to say to him.

“Oh, look what the cat dragged in. It’s my gentleman companion.” Beulah dramatically pulled up her sleeve and looked at her watch. “And he’s only thirty-five minutes late.”

He leaned down and pressed a kiss on Beulah’s cheek. “Forgive me, Miss Beulah. I didn’t forget about our tea date, but I’ve been putting out a few fires at the chocolate factory. There was a real commotion over there.”

Beulah wrinkled her nose and made a harrumphing sound. “As I live and breathe! I was stood up for a press conference!”

Hank spread his arms wide. “Well, I’m here now, aren’t I? Better late than never.”

“You’re incorrigible. I should warn all the women in Owl Creek about you,” Beulah scolded.

“You know I only have eyes for you,” Hank said in a teasing tone.

“If I was only twenty years younger,” Beulah quipped, batting her eyelashes.

Hank wagged his finger at her. “Now who’s being incorrigible?”

Iris appeared at their table and leaned in to give Hank a hug. “Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll bring another tea-and-saucer set over?”

“Thanks, Iris,” Hank responded. He was still getting used to calling her by her first name after a lifetime of calling her Mrs. Lawson. Gabriel’s mother was one of his favorite Owl Creek residents. She was a devoted mother with a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

“I don’t want to intrude,” he said, his gaze swinging toward Sage, who appeared slightly uncomfortable. Did he make her nervous? Or was she feeling awkward due to her disappearing act?

“Don’t be silly!” Beulah patted the seat next to her. “Sit down, Hank, and join us. I take it the two of you already know each other.” Her eyes twinkled as she looked back and forth between them. Hank let out a sigh. If Beulah was looking for any dirt about his relationship with Sage, she was bound to be sorely disappointed.