A Match Made In Alaska
A Small-Town RescueLibrarian 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.Alaskan Grooms: Meeting their matches in Love, Alaska
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A Small-Town Rescue
Librarian Annie Murray hoped participating in Love, Alaskaâs âOperation Loveâ 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 OâRourke. Annieâs met charmers like Declan beforeânow she wants a man of substance. Forced to survive with him in the snowy wilderness, Annie discovers Declanâs depthâand he begins to see the shy librarianâs heart of gold. But once back in town, outside forces threaten their bond. Itâll take all the bravery they had in the wild for Annie and Declan to find love in small-town Alaska.
Strong arms gripped Annieâs shoulders.
âWhat do you think youâre doing? Are you trying to get yourself killed?â
Annie felt the hot splash of tears on her cheeks. âI canât stand by and watch it all go up in smoke. My whole life is in there!â 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, âGet out of this area as fast as you can. Run as far as you can upwind. Now!â 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.
âThere is no fear in love; but perfect love
casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.â
â1 John 4:18
This book is dedicated to my own Annieâ¦
my mother, Dr. Anne Murray Bell. Not a day goes by that I donât 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
âWelcome to OâRourke Charters. Thank you for choosing to fly with us today. Why donât you make yourself comfortable for the flight, Miss Murray?â Pilot Declan OâRourke 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.
âThank you,â Annie said in her cheeriest voice, determined to be positive. âIâm happy to be here.â She took a good look at him, hoping he didnât consider her perusal staring. This Alaskan pilot was a very impressive-looking man. She hadnât 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.
âDonât forget your headset,â 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 hadnât imagined being the sole passenger on the flight, although the plane wasnât big enough to accommodate more than a few people. Really teeny-tiny, she realized. Why hadnât she thought about her tendency toward claustrophobia? She wasnât afraid of flying, but up till this point in time, the planes had always been normal-size ones.
Keep your eye on the prize. Gramâs 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 OâRourke had been impatiently waiting for her arrival at the terminal. As owner of OâRourke Charters, he was the pilot she had hired, sight unseen, to fly her to Love.
