Page 17 of Under the Northern Lights

“Are you sure I’m not keeping you from anything important?” Aurora asked as Gage assisted her into the side-by-side vehicle.

“The fire pit is repaired, and there are no guests flying in or out today,” he replied as he rounded the UTV and stepped into the driver’s side.

“We’re coming to the season’s end for guests, so I have a bit more downtime.

I was going to fly into Juneau the day after next to pick up some supplies, but I can do that when I take you back.

Now buckle up,” he told her as he inserted the key in the ignition and started the engine.

“Some of the terrain can be a little rough.”

Nodding, Aurora did as he instructed. As they drove away from the retreat and into the woods, she said tentatively, “Gage ...”

He glanced her way.

“Would you mind if I asked about your father?”

Of course she had noticed. Despite his father having come so very far along in his recovery, there were still telltale signs of the stroke he’d had. His gait was still slightly off when he walked. And there was an occasional delay when responding during conversations.

“I don’t mind,” he told her. “Dad had a stroke last year. Shortly before Thanksgiving. We came close to losing him, but he’s a fighter.

And after a lot of therapy, both in a rehabilitation facility and then on his own back here at home, he has almost fully recovered.

Just an occasional word catching when he speaks and a leg that’s taking its time getting back to the way it was before his stroke. ”

“I’m so glad he’s healing,” she said with a tender smile.

“I know how hard something like that can be on a family. My best friend Emmy’s father had a stroke a few years ago.

Unfortunately, his recovery wasn’t as complete as your father’s.

But he’s still here to be a part of Emmy’s and her mother’s lives, so they know how blessed they are. ”

“It definitely makes you look at life a little differently when something like this happens. Things that used to seem so important to me when I was younger have taken a place far lower on my needs and wants list,” he replied.

“I want to appreciate the time I spend with those I love. And I need to remember life doesn’t always go the way we expect it to, and it’s how you choose to deal with the twists and turns that matters most.”

There was a shimmer of tears in Aurora’s eyes. “So true.”

He hadn’t meant to bring her down with his response. He was just being honest. Opening up to Aurora felt so easy, so natural. “Prepare your camera. You are about to have a photo opportunity that might just get you the cover of that wildlife magazine.”

“Is that so?” she replied, excitement lighting her face.

“Okay, so I might be exaggerating a wee bit, but I do think you’ll like the spot I’m taking you to.”

She laughed. “I’m on the edge of my seat. Or as close as I can get to it while seat-belted in.”

“You should be excited. The sun is shining, and there’s no rain on the horizon. A rarity for this time of year.”

She looked up at the treetops above them, where rays of sunlight filtered through. “These pines are huge.”

“Most of them are Sitka spruce, Alaska’s state tree. They can grow over three hundred feet tall.”

“They’re beautiful,” she said as she admired the surrounding pines. “They remind me a lot of some of the trees we have back home in Oregon and up in Olympic National Park.”

“I’ve never been there, but I hear Olympic National Park is something to see.”

“It is,” she told him. “If you ever have the chance to go there, you won’t regret it.”

“Maybe someday,” he said, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. “Right now, I’ve taken over the running of our family’s retreat until Dad feels like he’s ready to take it back on. Until then, my personal life and any adventures I might be tempted to go on are on hold.”

“Understandable,” she said with a nod. “I’m sure he appreciates what you all have done during his recovery. Hearing him talk about the lodge, about fishing excursions he still gets to join in on, about how he had raised his family here, makes it very clear how much this place means to your father.”

Gage frowned. “It really does. He’s worked so many years to make this retreat into what it is today. I can only imagine what it would do to Dad’s health if we were forced to sell. That’s why I have to find a way to build the business back up.”

Surprise lit her face. “The retreat’s in trouble?”

His frown deepened. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Oh, Gage, I’m sorry to hear that. I know how much of a financial burden medical issues can be on families.”

“It’s not that,” he said. “The smaller fishing retreats are struggling to compete with money-backed builders who are coming in and building resort-style fishing retreats. I know of two smaller long-running fishing tour businesses that were pretty much squeezed into accepting a buyout.”

“That has to be illegal,” she said, indignant on his behalf.

“Unfortunately, it’s not,” he said. “It’s a case of the bigger fish swallowing up all the smaller fish.

But I have no intention of selling out to the big guys.

That’s why I was in town when you showed up at Glady’s.

I had a meeting with the intermediary sent by the private equity firm trying to buy us out.

I turned his client’s offer down for the second and final time. ”

She reached out to lay a hand on his arm. “Good for you!”

He shrugged. “I hope I made the right decision. If I can’t figure out a way to get back some of the business we’ve lost to these newer fishing resorts, my family could end up losing it all.

That’s why I have to stay focused on the end goal.

And I’m not about to let some money-hungry investment group turn my father’s health issues into their profits. ”

“I have faith in you,” she said, letting her hand fall away. “And I have no doubt your family does as well.”

He cast a smile in her direction. “I appreciate that.”

The trail they were driving on through the woods widened as it opened to a large, sunlit meadow.

In the distance, the winding river he wanted Aurora to see flowed gently around peeking boulders.

When it wasn’t rainy season and water depths were lower, small islands of time-smoothed stones could be seen with the water trickling over them.

Beyond the river was a mountain thick with pines and dotted with trees haloed in shades of yellow and crimson.

“It looks like a postcard,” Aurora breathed beside him.

“One of my favorite spots on the island,” Gage admitted as he brought the UTV to a stop. Cutting the engine, he climbed out.

“I can understand why.” Aurora pulled the camera she’d brought along with her from the padded bag at her side. Then she practically jumped out.

Gage smiled as he followed her.

She paused every few steps to take a few more pictures. “It’s so tranquil here. And look how the distant mountain, with the billowy white clouds above it, reflects its mirror image across the water!”

“I thought you would like the view.”

“Like it? I love it!” She glanced his way. “Is the fishing good here? Because I could see this river pictured in World Adventures Magazine .”

No sooner had the question left her lips than an eagle flew past, swooping down over the river to catch a small fish. As fast as it came in, the eagle was gone, flying off with its skillfully caught meal.

“Well,” Aurora laughed, “I suppose that answers my question. I’m only sorry I didn’t have my camera aimed in the right direction. That would have been a beautiful shot.”

“I’m not so sure that poor fish would agree.”

“Gage!” she groaned. “Way to turn a majestic moment of power and grace into a fish’s worst nightmare.”

Gage chuckled. “Sorry. How about we go with the eagle accidentally dropping it further on down the river as he flew off toward his nest.”

“Good for that fish,” she replied and then sighed. “Bad for the baby eaglets waiting to be fed.”

“Thankfully, their mother flew back with a snake that she found, and the eaglets had a fine feast.” He glanced her way. “Does the snake part work?”

“Perfectly,” she replied, her smile returning.

“Now, getting back to your question, the fishing is plentiful here,” he told her. “There are still a few varieties of salmon around for catching this time of year, as well as rainbow trout.”

Aurora brought her camera up and took several pictures of the water and the view beyond it. “If I were a fisherman, I’d want to spend hours fishing here just for the view alone.”

“I am a fisherman, and I have spent a good part of the day here fishing for that night’s dinner at the lodge more times than I can count,” he told her as he gazed out over the gently flowing water. “It’s peaceful here. A great place to relax and unwind.”

“Would you mind if I took a picture of you standing alongside the river?” she asked hopefully. “You just seem to fit so perfectly into this beautifully rugged landscape.”

He laughed. “I’ve never been compared to a landscape before. Thank you. I think.”

“Take it as a compliment,” she replied with a grin before motioning him closer to the water. “That’s it. One more step to the left. We want to get the mountain peak behind you in the background.”

Gage took a step to the left.

“Sorry. My left. Your right.”

Nodding, he took two steps in the opposite direction. “Better?”

“Perfect,” she replied, snapping several shots.

His brows rose. “No one, two, three? Or ‘Say cheese’?”

“You can pose if you like,” Aurora told him. “But I prefer my shots to be more organic.”

He grinned. “You prefer organic over this?” Gage did a playful flexing-muscle pose that made Aurora snort with laughter. Then he switched it up, shifting into his best imitation of a GQ model pose.

Giggling, she shook her head. “If you ever give up your piloting career, I think you definitely have a future in modeling.”

“Good to know I have options,” he said with a chuckle.