A Match Made in Alaska (16 page)

Eli walked up and grabbed Cilla’s hand. “In the end, Zachariah never did marry. He’s been an eternal bachelor all of these years.”

Annie looked over at Zachariah. “Would you have married Gram if she had stayed here?”

“I’d like to say yes to that question, but my whole life, I’ve had trouble wrapping my head around the idea of settling down. Who’s to say what might have happened?” he said, his eyes blinking like an owl’s.

“Do you think you have room in your life for a granddaughter?” she asked.

Zachariah’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Annie. You have no idea how much room is in this old heart of mine.”

Annie reached out and hugged Zachariah as the townsfolk broke into applause. Tears were streaming down her face, and she whispered, “Thank you for making my dream come true, Zachariah. I’ve always wanted a grandpa.”

“Please call me Grampy. It would mean the world to me.”

“Okay, Grampy,” Annie said, nestling herself against his chest. Her heart swelled with joy at the notion that she did have a family here in Love. Not only a grandfather, but Aunt Cilla and Uncle Eli. And, she hoped, a cousin or two.

As the meeting was adjourned due to special circumstances, Annie found herself being led to the main hall by Declan. He pulled her behind a tall white column and pressed a dizzying kiss against her lips.

“I’m not sure if I made it clear in there, but I love you, Annie,” Declan said. “I’m crazy about you.”

Annie let out a sigh. “I love you, too, Declan. Thank you for showing up tonight and laying it all on the table. I needed that huge push off the ledge.” She bowed her head. “I think I also needed to know that you were on my side.” Her eyes were moist with tears. “And you showed me that quite convincingly.”

“I’ll always be on your side.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I’m sorry about last night. I don’t need to protect the Prescotts. From now on, you’re my main priority, Annie. Without you, my life isn’t half as interesting. You bring everything into sharp focus. Suddenly I can see my future, and it’s not this big old blank slate. It’s in vivid color, all reds and purples with big swirls and curlicues.”

“Loving you has made me stronger,” Annie said. “You’ve helped me live out my motto of living courageously, Declan. And you’ve helped me find my roots. And not just a grandfather. I have an aunt. And Eli is my uncle. And there are probably cousins, too,” she gushed.

“Settle down, Annie. There will be plenty of time to figure all that out,” Declan said with a grin. “I have a present for you.” He reached down behind the column and pulled out a box.

“Open it,” Declan instructed. “I ordered it right after our adventure in Chugach National Forest. I’ve been waiting for the right moment to spring it on you.”

“What’s inside?” Annie asked as she eyed the prettily wrapped package.

Declan resembled the cat who had swallowed the cream. “You have to open it to find out,” he teased.

With the eagerness of a child on her birthday, Annie began to rip open the package. Within seconds, gift wrap and ribbons were everywhere. Annie let out a squeal as she gazed upon her present. “It’s a copy of
Under a Dark Moon
, Leslie Lemon’s first book. There are only a few hundred copies of this in existence.” She pressed it against her chest and heaved a tremendous sigh. Tears slid down her face. “How on earth did you do this? It must have cost a small fortune.”

“Hey! What’s with the waterworks? I have a pilot friend who has connections with the European publisher of that gem. He owed me a favor. When I saw how brave you were when we crash-landed, I knew that I wanted to do something special for you.” Declan appeared to be bursting with satisfaction at being able to make her happy. His over-the-top grin was contagious.

Annie smiled. “Other than Gram, I’ve never had anyone in my life care enough about me to do something like this. I’ve never had anyone know me so well, so completely as to understand my heart’s desires.”

Declan dipped his head and placed a firm kiss on her lips. He cupped her face between his palms and murmured her name as the kiss ended. “Well, you’ve got me now, and I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. You’re stuck with me.”

Annie couldn’t stop looking at the book. “It’s amazing, Declan. I love it.”

“And I love you, Annie. More than I ever imagined it was possible to love another human being. Before you came into my world, I was convinced that love wasn’t meant for me. I was half the man I am today, stumbling around in the dark and allowing the past to threaten my future. Our future.”

“Ours?” Annie squeaked. Her eyes went wide, and she began to blink fast and furiously.

“Open the book,” he urged. “I put a little something in there on the way over here.”

With trembling fingers, Annie opened the book and took out the note he had placed inside the front cover. She read it aloud. “Will you?” She swung her gaze up to look at him.

“Will I what?” she asked, her heart pounding as it dawned on her that her life was about to change in a monumental way.

* * *

Declan lowered himself to one knee. He dug inside his pocket and pulled out a wooden ring box. He flipped it open to reveal a sparkling ring. He looked up at Annie, and with his heart thumping wildly in his chest, said the four words he never imagined would ever come out of his mouth. “Will you marry me?” Annie covered her mouth with one hand while clutching the book in the other.

“Will I? Of course I will,” she said, throwing her arms around his neck and smothering him with kisses. When she finally let go of him, Declan held up the ring.

“Annie. This is a pretty old-fashioned ring. It’s been sitting in my sock drawer for years and years. It belonged to my mother. It has a lot of sentimental meaning, so I hope you love it as much as she always did.”

“You know I love vintage things, Declan.” He placed the ring on her finger as she let out a gasp of appreciation. “It’s stunning, Declan. And I’m honored to wear your mother’s ring.”

“Thank you for loving me, Annie,” Declan said, tears forming in his eyes. “This proposal might be a bit spur-of-the-moment, but the love I feel for you is anything but. It’s solid and grounded.”

“Loving you was my destiny,” Annie said. “I never thought you and I would be a match. But we are. As perfect a match as there ever could be,” she chirped.

“Right here, right now, I want to kiss you, Annie Murray. To celebrate our big news.”

“Oh, really,” she said in a sassy voice. “Is that a promise?”

“Without question,” he murmured as he placed his lips over hers and dipped her backward in a kiss that heralded their glorious future and the joy they had found in each other’s arms.

Epilogue

A
nnie stood on the front steps of the Free Library of Love and breathed in the crisp wintry air. It was a frigid December morning, but she was almost oblivious to the low temperature and the winter wonderland all around her. All she wanted to do was make her way inside the library so she could see Declan decked out in his Sunday best. She was getting married today. Her beautiful rhinestone-encrusted wedding dress with the lace at the cuffs had been a wonderful discovery at a vintage store in Anchorage. It was her dream dress for her fairy-tale wedding to the love of her life.

“Ready to go inside?” Zachariah asked. “If you want to make a run for it, I’ve got a getaway car.” Her grandfather was dressed in an old-fashioned gray topper. He had decorated his cane to match the cranberry accents of her wedding party.

Annie nodded. Although her throat felt clogged with emotion, there was something resting on her heart that she needed to share with her grandfather. Moisture was already gathering in her eyes as she turned toward him.

“Grampy. I just want to tell you that finding you has changed me. Knowing that I have family ties here in Love makes all the difference in the world to me. You’re one of the biggest reasons that I feel I belong here. And even though we haven’t known each other very long, I love you very much.”

Zachariah reached out and clasped her hand in his. He squeezed it tightly. “I wish I’d known you all your life, but I’m still grateful that you came looking for me. Any man would be proud to claim you. You’re an extraordinary woman, just like your Gram.”

Tears slid down Annie’s face. For so long, she had wanted to hear those words from a male figure in her life. Knowing that Zachariah had stepped up to claim her and to be a part of her life had allowed her to put to rest the shadows in her family tree. The cycle had been broken. And now, she could embrace her future with Declan with not a single reservation about the past. Her groom had also put a lid on his painful family history. By coming to terms with the tragedy of his mother’s death and his father’s downward spiral, Declan had opened a window for their glorious future. There wasn’t a single thing holding them back.

“I’m ready to become Mrs. Declan O’Rourke,” she announced as a calm feeling swept over her. Once they stepped inside the library, Sophie and Hazel were there waiting for them in the foyer. Both women were dressed in cranberry-colored bridesmaid’s dresses. Sophie’s dress stopped right below the knee, while Hazel’s swept all the way to her ankles. They each reached out and hugged Annie, murmuring words of encouragement and blessings.

“I hope Jasper gets some inspiration from all these weddings popping up around him,” Hazel cracked. “I’m not getting any younger.”

“You’d make a lovely bride at any age,” Sophie said, patting Hazel on the shoulder.

“Remember to tell Jasper that at the reception,” Hazel urged. “He needs all the encouragement he can get. The old coot is beginning to take me for granted.”

The doors of the grand room were flung wide open, signaling that it was time for the wedding to start. Side by side, Hazel and Sophie began to walk across the threshold and down the flower-strewn aisle.

A hush fell over the crowd as the wedding march rang out in the main hall. Zachariah held out his arm, and they began to slowly walk into the room. Annie smiled as she looked at all the books sitting proudly on the shelves. A feeling of pride swelled inside her. This place was a testament to the future of this town. Generations of townsfolk would benefit from the library’s extensive catalog. Encyclopedias. Travel books. Stories about kings and queens and faraway places. Books that would fuel imaginations and encourage thinking and dreaming and aspiring.

Annie sucked in a breath at the sight of her groom. Dressed in his midnight-blue tux, a crisp white shirt and a cranberry-colored bow tie, he looked spectacular. Swoon-worthy. Boone stood right by his side, while Finn, Cameron and Liam were behind them. She had to smile as Declan fidgeted impatiently with his collar. He had gotten dressed up for her. Knowing Declan, he would have cheerfully worn his leather aviator jacket and jeans to the ceremony.

Once he caught sight of her walking down the aisle, his gaze never strayed from her. Although Annie knew the room was packed with dozens of well-wishers and friends, all she saw was Declan. Her hero. The man who would always own her heart.

Before she was even halfway down the aisle, Declan began rushing toward her. He stopped beside her, his grin as wide as the ocean.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t wait a second longer,” Declan said. He moved to her left side and linked their hands together. They continued to walk down the aisle until Zachariah handed Annie over to Declan, then took his seat in the front row.

“Eager to marry this amazing woman, aren’t you?” Pastor Jack Teagan teased, his eyes alight with merriment.

“Imagine that,” Declan drawled. “Just shows you what the love of a good woman can do.”

Pastor Jack began the ceremony. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the blessed union of Declan O’Rourke and Annie Murray, a couple who has made the decision to walk through life together.”

Annie could barely hold back the tide of tears as she listened to the pastor’s words. After a few minutes he turned toward Declan. “I’m going to hand things over to you now. I know you have prepared your vows to Annie, as she has for you.”

Declan reached for Annie’s hand and began reciting his vows. “Before you came to town, I was pretty convinced I would be single for the rest of my days.” Tears gathered in his eyes. “Sometimes the past can make us think we’re not worthy of good things. I was afraid to hope, Annie. You showed me that everything I have ever wanted was right there within reach. I just had to believe. And now I want to make sure all your dreams come true. I vow to spend the rest of my life by your side.”

Annie smiled at her groom through a haze of tears. “Declan, I thought you were a hero right from the start. You denied it, but I always knew you were. You made me feel safe when we were stranded out there in the wilderness. And you’ve been making me feel that way ever since. After Gram died, I didn’t have a place that felt like home. Until you. You make me feel as if I’m right where I belong. Where God always intended me to be.”

Pastor Jack continued the service and pronounced Declan and Annie husband and wife. As they exchanged their first kiss as a married couple, both the bride and groom rejoiced in the fact that the darkness of the past had been stamped out by their beautiful present.

They were blessed with the knowledge that they would be living out their lives in love.

* * * * *

If you enjoyed this visit to Love, Alaska, pick up the other stories in the
ALASKAN GROOMS
series by Belle Calhoune.

AN ALASKAN WEDDING

ALASKAN REUNION

Available now from Love Inspired!

Find more great reads at
www.LoveInspired.com

Keep reading for an excerpt from
TRUSTING THE COWBOY
by Carolyne Aarsen.

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Dear Reader,

Thank you for joining me on this voyage to Love, Alaska. I hope you enjoyed reading Declan and Annie’s story. Writing this book was a joyful experience. There’s nothing more fascinating than seeing two people fall in love despite their best intentions to resist the pull in that direction.

Both Declan and Annie have a hole inside them that needs to be filled up. The hurts of the past loom large for both of them and play an important part in their romantic lives. Annie doesn’t want to repeat the cycle of single mothers in her family, while Declan doesn’t believe he’s worthy of a happy ending. Annie yearns to find a soft place to fall. Declan wants things he can’t even dare to hope for. Somehow, with a little help from faith and true love, they find hope in each other’s arms.

Being an author is my dream job. My daughter once told me that I was one of the lucky few who actually get to work in the profession of their dreams. I feel very blessed. It never gets old to see my books in print. Writing for Love Inspired is an honor.

It’s always delightful to hear from readers. You can reach me by email at
[email protected]
, at my Author Belle Calhoune Facebook page, on my website,
bellecalhoune.com
, or on Twitter
@BelleCalhoune
.

Blessings,

Belle