Alaskan Reunion. Belle Calhoune
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A Baby Between Them
After her father’s betrayal turned her hometown against her, Paige Reynolds fled Love, Alaska. Now she’s returned to mend the damage her dad’s actions caused. But repairing her broken heart is a different story. She must face Cameron Prescott, the man she left behind—and reveal he’s the father of her infant daughter. As Cameron falls in love with his baby girl, he can’t bury the growing feelings for her mother. In a time of turmoil, they turned on one another. But older and wiser, can Cameron and Paige learn that forgiveness may lead to their happily-ever-after?
“Under the circumstances, I thought it was best to show up here unannounced.”
“Circumstances? What circumstances?” Cameron asked, his mouth twisted. He let out a brittle laugh. “Are you talking about the fact that your father nearly bankrupted this town and then fled like a thief in the night? Or the fact that you’re not exactly welcome in this town?”
“All of that I suppose,” she said in a soft voice. “I knew if I had called beforehand, you would have refused to see me. Maybe even run me out of town again.”
His eyes cut straight through her. “You’re right. I would have told you to stay away. For good.” He spoke through gritted teeth. It seemed as if he was on the verge of exploding.
Even after all this time, it wounded her to see so much animosity in his beautiful green eyes.
Cameron’s harsh voice cut into the silence. His eyes sparked like molten fire. “Whatever brought you back to Love has to be huge. So, let’s cut to the chase. What are you doing here?”
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.
Alaskan Reunion
Belle Calhoune
Where you go I will go,
and where you stay I will stay.
—Ruth 1:16
For my brother, David.
You’re the bravest hero I know.
For all the readers who have embraced this Alaska series and who have let me know that they are waiting for more stories.
For my editor, Emily Rodmell, for being so enthusiastic about Love, Alaska.
Thanks to my fellow Love Inspired authors Sarah Varland and Angel Moore. Sarah—thanks for allowing me to constantly pick your brain about life in Alaska. Angel—thanks for all the pictures, cool facts and Alaska inspiration.
Contents
“It’s too late to turn back now,” Paige Reynolds muttered, her steps slowing as she neared her destination. Snow gracefully fluttered down from the pewter sky in Love, Alaska. She stuck her tongue out and tried to catch a snowflake. April weather in Alaska was unpredictable to say the least. Snow one moment and then nothing but blue skies the next. It was so cold she could see her breath swirling in the air right in front of her face.
From this vantage point, Jarvis Street looked quaint enough to be featured on an old-fashioned postcard. She, of all people, knew better than to give in to sentimentality. Greeting her past head-on wasn’t going to be a pleasant experience. Not by a long shot.
She’d stuffed her honey-blond hair under her hat and ducked her head down in order to minimize the possibility of being recognized by any of the townsfolk. Her arrival yesterday by seaplane just as it was getting dark had been deliberate. Landing in Love just as the sun went down lessened the chances of anyone noticing her.
Love, Alaska, a small fishing village, was located off the Pacific Ocean, on the southeastern tip of the state. She’d flown into Anchorage from her home in Seattle before taking the short flight to Love. She could only imagine the villagers’ reaction if they’d stumbled upon the secret she was cradling in her arms as she stepped off the plane. Paige had known from having lived in this town for years that few people would be hanging out at the pier at sunset. It was very unlikely that any of the villagers would have pulled out the welcome mat for her even