A Match Made In Alaska. Belle Calhoune
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A Small-Town Rescue
Librarian Annie Murray hoped participating in Love, Alaska’s “Operation Love” would lead to finding a rugged bachelor to call her own. But as her flight crash-lands before reaching her destination, she finds herself alone with her pilot, Declan O’Rourke. Annie’s met charmers like Declan before—now she wants a man of substance. Forced to survive with him in the snowy wilderness, Annie discovers Declan’s depth—and he begins to see the shy librarian’s heart of gold. But once back in town, outside forces threaten their bond. It’ll take all the bravery they had in the wild for Annie and Declan to find love in small-town Alaska.
Strong arms gripped Annie’s shoulders.
“What do you think you’re doing? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Annie felt the hot splash of tears on her cheeks. “I can’t stand by and watch it all go up in smoke. My whole life is in there!” She let out a plaintive howl. She saw his ice-blue eyes widen. A muscle in his jaw began to twitch. He released her shoulders and pivoted around so that he was facing the plane.
Turning back toward her, he yelled, “Get out of this area as fast as you can. Run as far as you can upwind. Now!” She watched as he rushed toward the plane, wrenched open the cargo hold and yanked her suitcases out in one fluid motion. With an amazing display of agility, he ran back toward her at breakneck speed. One look at his expression and Annie began to run in the opposite direction as fast as she could.
A thunderous noise interrupted the silence. A deafening roar rent the air.
BELLE CALHOUNE grew up in a small town in Massachusetts. Married to her college sweetheart, she is raising two lovely daughters in Connecticut. A dog lover, she has one mini poodle and a chocolate Lab. Writing for the Love Inspired line is a dream come true. Working at home in her pajamas is one of the best perks of the job. Belle enjoys summers in Cape Cod, traveling and reading.
A Match Made in Alaska
Belle Calhoune
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love
casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.
He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
—1 John 4:18
This book is dedicated to my own Annie…
my mother, Dr. Anne Murray Bell.
Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you.
A huge thank you to my editor, Emily Rodmell,
for her unwavering support for Love, Alaska.
And for keeping me on course.
I am very thankful for all the readers
who have written to me and asked about
future stories set in Love, Alaska.
A special thanks to Bob Moore
for all his expertise on aviation.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
Dear Reader
“Welcome to O’Rourke Charters. Thank you for choosing to fly with us today. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable for the flight, Miss Murray?” Pilot Declan O’Rourke waved Annie Murray toward her seat on the small plane. As she walked past him, he looked down at her leopard pajama pants and slightly shook his head, unable to hide his grin.
“Thank you,” Annie said in her cheeriest voice, determined to be positive. “I’m happy to be here.” She took a good look at him, hoping he didn’t consider her perusal staring. This Alaskan pilot was a very impressive-looking man. She hadn’t expected him to be quite so rugged and handsome.
He was tall, hovering at six foot three or so, she imagined, with an athletic, lean build. He was wearing a beat-up leather aviator jacket and a pair of jeans. His face was the real standout. Cheekbones for days and a perfectly symmetrical face. He had sea-blue eyes and a head of blond hair. A strong jaw completed the picture.
“Don’t forget your headset,” he reminded her, holding out one for her.
Annie settled into her seat on the seaplane and let out a tremendous sigh as she looked around her. She hadn’t imagined being the sole passenger on the flight, although the plane wasn’t big enough to accommodate more than a few people. Really teeny-tiny, she realized. Why hadn’t she thought about her tendency toward claustrophobia? She wasn’t afraid of flying, but up till this point in time, the planes had always been normal-size ones.
Keep your eye on the prize. Gram’s voice buzzed in her ears. A little discomfort was worth it if she found her one true love.
At the moment she was thankful for small blessings. Her earlier flight from Bangor, Maine, had been almost two hours late landing at the Anchorage International Airport. In order to make her connecting flight to the small fishing village, she had raced from one terminal all the way to the farthest part of the airport. Declan O’Rourke had been impatiently waiting for her arrival at the terminal. As owner of O’Rourke Charters, he was the pilot she had hired, sight unseen, to fly her to Love.
As the plane took off and began to climb gradually in altitude, Annie closed her Leslie Lemon mystery novel