Belle Calhoune - His Secret Alaskan Heiress

Small-Town Secrets

For heiress Sophie Mattson, moving to remote Love, Alaska, offers her a chance to find people who care about her—not her wealth. The townsfolk quickly take Sophie under their wing, but it’s handsome newcomer and cook Noah Catalano who inspires dreams of home and family. Sophie fears her ruse may drive a wedge between them...but she doesn’t know the real reason Noah is in Alaska. Hired by Sophie’s ex-fiancé to keep tabs on her, undercover private investigator Noah is falling for his assignment. Is it too late to overcome this double deception, or can Love make a believer of them both?

“Good morning, Noah.”

The chirpy voice could belong to no one else but Sophie. There was something about her upbeat tone that brought to mind rainbows and glitter and cupcakes.

“Morning,” he said, not raising his eyes from the stove. No way did he want to look into those expressive eyes when his thoughts were as scrambled as the eggs he had just cooked.

Sophie Miller was rapidly becoming a problem in his uncomplicated world.

“Did you get settled in last night?” she asked. Her voice was infused with so much cheer and a lightness that he desperately needed to hear at the moment.

Unable to stop himself, he swung his gaze up. Her long titian hair hung down gently in loose waves. Even without a stich of makeup, she shimmered. Her green eyes—the color of Irish moss—sparkled.

She wasn’t making things easy for him.

Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Dedication 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 Extract Copyright ,

Thank you for joining me on this Alaskan adventure. I hope you enjoyed Sophie and Noah’s love story. I really enjoyed writing His Secret Alaskan Heiress, particularly since Sophie has always been one of my favorite characters. I really wanted her to find her happily-ever-after. The town of Love, Alaska, serves as the perfect backdrop for falling in love. Snowy tundra. Moose crossings. Reindeer pizza. The Moose Café! There’s so much to love in this wonderful town.

Sophie and Noah are both suffering from the same ailment. Both characters have been betrayed in the past by someone close to them. As a result, they are both wary of falling in love. They both have scars that need to heal. And thankfully, they find joy and a happy ending in each other’s arms. Noah and Sophie find a warm community in the small fishing village. The town of Love provides Sophie with a loving, supportive home where she is accepted for reasons unrelated to her bank balance. Likewise, Noah finds a warmth and acceptance in Love that reminds him of his hometown and the family values he grew up with. In the end, forgiveness is a big theme in the story and Sophie, in particular, needs to forgive Noah and her father in order to move forward with her life.

I feel very fortunate to be writing for the Love Inspired line. Being an author is my dream job. I enjoy hearing from readers, however you choose to contact me. You can reach me at scalhoune@gmail.com, at my Author Belle Calhoune Facebook page or at my website, bellecalhoune.com. If you’re on Twitter, reach out to me, @BelleCalhoune.

Belle Calhoune

BELLE CALHOUNEgrew 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.

His Secret Alaskan Heiress

Belle Calhoune

www.millsandboon.co.uk

My beloved spake, and said unto me,

Rise up, my fair one and come away with me.

For lo, the winter has past,

the rain is over and gone.

—Song of Solomon 2:10–11

For my sister, Patricia, for introducing me

to Daphne du Maurier and Phyllis Whitney.

You started me on the road to romance!

Acknowledgments Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Dedication 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 Extract Copyright

For my Love Inspired author friends

who make this profession anything but solitary.

Angel Moore. Alison Stone. Karen Kirst.

Jolene Navarro. Danica Favorite.

Kristen Ethridge. Jessica Keller.

You ladies rock!

For my editor, Emily Rodmell,

for being enthusiastic about this series and

for remembering all the details I tend to forget.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Small-Town Secrets For heiress Sophie Mattson, moving to remote Love, Alaska, offers her a chance to find people who care about her—not her wealth. The townsfolk quickly take Sophie under their wing, but it’s handsome newcomer and cook Noah Catalano who inspires dreams of home and family. Sophie fears her ruse may drive a wedge between them...but she doesn’t know the real reason Noah is in Alaska. Hired by Sophie’s ex-fiancé to keep tabs on her, undercover private investigator Noah is falling for his assignment. Is it too late to overcome this double deception, or can Love make a believer of them both?

Introduction “Good morning, Noah.” The chirpy voice could belong to no one else but Sophie. There was something about her upbeat tone that brought to mind rainbows and glitter and cupcakes. “Morning,” he said, not raising his eyes from the stove. No way did he want to look into those expressive eyes when his thoughts were as scrambled as the eggs he had just cooked. Sophie Miller was rapidly becoming a problem in his uncomplicated world. “Did you get settled in last night?” she asked. Her voice was infused with so much cheer and a lightness that he desperately needed to hear at the moment. Unable to stop himself, he swung his gaze up. Her long titian hair hung down gently in loose waves. Even without a stich of makeup, she shimmered. Her green eyes—the color of Irish moss—sparkled. She wasn’t making things easy for him.

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Here it is. Fresh out of the oven. One reindeer pizza with feta and spinach,” Sophie announced in a chirpy voice as she set the order down in the middle of the table. “And a mozzarella salad on the side. It’s good for your heart.”

“Thanks, Sophie.” Jasper Prescott, town mayor, grinned at her, his white whiskers lending him a grandfatherly appearance. She would never admit it to Jasper in a million years, but he was just about the cutest man in the world, despite being an utter rascal. She’d already claimed him as her honorary grandfather. As far as she was concerned, he was a keeper.

“You’re quite welcome, Jasper.” Sophie smiled at him. “Might I say that ever since you and Hazel got engaged, she’s been walking on cloud nine?” Sophie patted him on the shoulder. “Well done!”