Belle Calhoune - An Alaskan Wedding

A Town Called Love

Reporter Grace Corbett has the lead of a lifetime. The city girl moves to Love, Alaska, where the mayor’s “Operation Love” is matching women from across the country with hunky Alaskan men. Grace pretends to be a woman looking for romance, and her act gets a lot easier when she starts to fall for rugged sheriff Boone Prescott. Grace vowed she’d never let herself love again, but in cold and beautiful Alaska, her heart is thawing for Boone. Still, to win the lawman she’ll have to confess everything…and hope that Operation Love can manage one more happy ending.

“If you live to be a hundred you might never see anything half as beautiful as this.”

Northern lights. She let out a gasp as a myriad of colors undulated across the sky. Greens. White. A splash of red appeared. Violet streaks of light shimmered across the sky.

She tilted her head back and stared up at the heavens in wonder. “How is this happening?”

Boone’s explanation came swiftly. “It’s a storm of sorts. The effect comes from directional changes in the earth’s magnetic field. Our ancestors theorized it was past and future events being displayed across the sky.”

She raised her hand toward the vibrating lights. It felt as if she might be able to reach out and grab hold of the bright, flashing waves.

“It’s magnificent,” she said. It was almost as if a painter had made the sky their canvas and splashed paint all over the heavens.

“Beautiful,” Boone said with a sigh.

When she turned toward him, his eyes were focused solely on her. He wasn’t even gazing at the aurora borealis.

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.

An Alaskan

Wedding

Belle Calhoune

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This is love: that we walk in obedience to God’s commands. As you have heard from the beginning His command is that you walk in love.

—2 John 1:6

To my sister, Karen.

You were my very first fan. And for many years,

my only fan. Thank you for cheering me on

and for always believing in the dream.

Acknowledgments 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 Chapter Thirteen Epilogue Dear Reader Extract Copyright

For my family: Randy, Sierra and Amber.

Thanks for understanding that writing

is a vital part of my life and for celebrating

all my joyful news.

For my editor, Emily Rodmell, for your

continued support, wisdom and vision.

For the Jack and Jill Moms, Stamford-Norwalk.

You guys rock!!!

Thanks for always celebrating me.

To all the readers of the Love Inspired line. I so

appreciate your enthusiasm and encouragement,

as well as your heartfelt letters.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Town Called Love Reporter Grace Corbett has the lead of a lifetime. The city girl moves to Love, Alaska, where the mayor’s “Operation Love” is matching women from across the country with hunky Alaskan men. Grace pretends to be a woman looking for romance, and her act gets a lot easier when she starts to fall for rugged sheriff Boone Prescott. Grace vowed she’d never let herself love again, but in cold and beautiful Alaska, her heart is thawing for Boone. Still, to win the lawman she’ll have to confess everything…and hope that Operation Love can manage one more happy ending.

Introduction “If you live to be a hundred you might never see anything half as beautiful as this.” Northern lights. She let out a gasp as a myriad of colors undulated across the sky. Greens. White. A splash of red appeared. Violet streaks of light shimmered across the sky. She tilted her head back and stared up at the heavens in wonder. “How is this happening?” Boone’s explanation came swiftly. “It’s a storm of sorts. The effect comes from directional changes in the earth’s magnetic field. Our ancestors theorized it was past and future events being displayed across the sky.” She raised her hand toward the vibrating lights. It felt as if she might be able to reach out and grab hold of the bright, flashing waves. “It’s magnificent,” she said. It was almost as if a painter had made the sky their canvas and splashed paint all over the heavens. “Beautiful,” Boone said with a sigh. When she turned toward him, his eyes were focused solely on her. He wasn’t even gazing at the aurora borealis.

About the Author 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.

Title Page An Alaskan Wedding Belle Calhoune www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse This is love: that we walk in obedience to God’s commands. As you have heard from the beginning His command is that you walk in love. —2 John 1:6

Dedication To my sister, Karen. You were my very first fan. And for many years, my only fan. Thank you for cheering me on and for always believing in the dream.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments 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 Chapter Thirteen Epilogue Dear Reader Extract Copyright For my family: Randy, Sierra and Amber. Thanks for understanding that writing is a vital part of my life and for celebrating all my joyful news. For my editor, Emily Rodmell, for your continued support, wisdom and vision. For the Jack and Jill Moms, Stamford-Norwalk. You guys rock!!! Thanks for always celebrating me. To all the readers of the Love Inspired line. I so appreciate your enthusiasm and encouragement, as well as your heartfelt letters.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Grace Corbett peered out the window of the seaplane, her eyes sweeping over a craggy landscape that looked as if it came straight out of an Alaskan postcard. Majestic white-capped mountains loomed in the distance. A wide expanse of tundra stretched out for miles. Vibrant, green trees dusted with snow dotted the scenery. Firs, spruce and pines, she imagined. She’d done a lot of reading in the past few weeks about Alaska in preparation for her assignment for the New York Tribune . According to her literature, these types of trees were among the most abundant found in the state.

The plane was preparing for its final descent over Kachemak Bay, and it was proving to be a bumpy ride. The bucking motion of the plane was giving her motion sickness. She tried taking slow, shallow breaths to calm herself. “Focus on the moment, not the panic,” she whispered, reciting the mantra from her fear-of-flying class. “You’re here. You’re alive. You’re here. You’re alive,” she chanted.

“Poor thing. You look terrified.” The Southern twang pierced through her terror, reminding her that she wasn’t the only passenger on the flight to Love. She turned to the woman seated next to her, making eye contact with the attractive redhead who was staring at her with a look that oozed sympathy. Although she could tell from her expression the woman was well-meaning, it irritated Grace to be the object of someone’s pity. Been there, done that, she thought grumpily. She’d long ago decided that even if she lived to be one hundred and ten, no one was allowed to host a pity party in her honor. Even if it killed her, she was going to hold her head up high. Her chin trembled as she nodded. “I—I don’t like planes. Especially little ones.”