Page 20 of Under the Northern Lights
“Are you sure you’re okay out here?” Gage asked with a nod toward the cabin behind Aurora.
He’d been shocked when Aurora had told him she wanted to extend her time on Conley Island, making it a week’s stay instead.
He was certain she would be ready to get back to her life in Seattle.
To her friends and exciting gallery showings.
But Aurora Daniels kept surprising him with her words, her actions, and her ability to make him look at the things in his life with renewed appreciation.
“The answer is the same as it was the first night.”
“Thought it might be,” he replied with a grin. “Ready for today’s adventure?”
“Are you done with your work?”
“Ever the taskmaster,” he replied with a grin.
“You’ll be happy to know I took care of what needed doing first thing this morning.
And I don’t fly guests back to Juneau until tomorrow morning.
So I’m free to take you to see more of the island.
Mom’s even insisted on packing us a picnic lunch to take so you won’t feel rushed to get back here. ”
“That is so thoughtful of her,” Aurora replied.
“We might still find ourselves back here for lunch. There’s a forecast of rain for this afternoon. I tried to tell her that, but once Mom had her mind set on making up a picnic, that was it.”
“I appreciate that your mother’s a positive thinker.
” Aurora glanced up at the sky through the treetops above them.
“Looks like it’s already starting to cloud up a little.
I’d hate for your mother to go to all that effort and us not be able to enjoy it.
We might just have to eat an early lunch fast if the weather requires it while we’re out touring the island. ”
He chuckled. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Oh, and speaking of possible rain, I had better run back in and grab my raincoat.” Aurora turned and hurried up onto the porch, disappearing into the cabin.
Gage made a mental note to grab his raincoat too when they went back to the lodge to pick up the feast his mother was preparing. Just in case.
The cabin door swung open again, and Aurora came out with light, springy steps, carrying her duck poncho and a happy smile. It was good to see the sadness she’d experienced the day before gone, replaced by that fervor for adventure he’d first seen in her.
A grin slid across his face at the sight of her. Yellow was definitely her color. Bright like the sunshine and her beautiful smile. Gage watched as Aurora made her way down the steps that fronted the cozy little cabin’s porch. Steps he and Reed had replaced just that past spring.
Theirs might be a small, family-run fishing retreat, but there was no slacking in the upkeep of it.
Even after their father had fallen ill. If anything, it had made him, Reed, and Julia more appreciative of the legacy their father had built.
One that all three of them had chosen to remain a part of as adults.
A decision that, in the end, had played a big part in his relationship with Jess ending.
But it was a choice he’d make again if he had it to do all over.
Like Aurora, Gage and his ex had been better off parting ways, because Conley Island was and would always be home to him.
“Hello?”
Gage blinked, surprised to find Aurora standing right there in front of him, her expression one of concern. Talk about blanking out for a moment. Since her arrival, Aurora had sent his thoughts and contemplative moments into overdrive.
“You okay?”
He nodded. “Sorry, got a little lost in my thoughts.”
“For a moment there, I thought I might have to put this rain poncho on and start waddling around, quacking like a duck to pull you out of that daze you were in.”
His gaze dropped to the bundle of bright yellow polyester tucked securely in the crook of her arm. “I should have stayed lost in thought a little longer,” he said with a grin. “Your duck waddle imitation would have undoubtedly been a sight to see.”
“Too late,” she said, starting off down the trail toward the lodge.
For being nearly a foot shorter than his six feet one inches, he’d noticed the woman could cover a lot of ground in a very short amount of time. Gage lengthened his steps to catch up.
“Speedy little thing, aren’t you?” he said as they followed the trail through the woods and past the other studio-sized cabins.
“Remember that if we run into Little John or one of his cousins.”
“Ah, but it wouldn’t matter, because I would stop and use my big, strong muscles,” he said, flexing as he walked, “which you took pictures of yesterday, to save us.”
She burst into a fit of giggles. “Stop,” she pleaded. “I can’t breathe.”
“I like it when you laugh,” he said.
“I like it when you flex your muscles.”
This time it was Gage throwing his head back in laughter. She was quick and witty and made him feel good about who he was. Even if her words were only meant to be playful.
They fell in step with each other, conversation flowing easily.
“I have to be honest,” he said as they walked together.
She glanced his way.
“I was more than a little surprised you wanted to stay on.”
She glanced his way. “You were? Why?”
He frowned and turned his focus to the trail ahead.
“My ex-girlfriend, her name was Jess, found staying here pretty much unbearable. I’m not sure what she expected when she agreed to fly to the island to stay and work here with me and my family, but clearly it wasn’t what her dreams were made of.
She left three days after she arrived, more than ready to get back to the mainland.
I should have known she wouldn’t be happy here.
That’s on me. Life here on the island can be challenging at times. ”
“Well,” Aurora said, “I happen to be enthralled with this little Alaskan island. I’m sorry things didn’t work out with Jess the way you hoped they would.”
“I’m not so sure I am anymore,” he admitted.
Aurora’s cell phone rang in the pocket of her jacket. They slowed their pace as she pulled it out to answer it. “It’s Emmy,” she told him. Then, pressing the answer button, she said, “Hi, Emmy! Hold on. We’re walking. I’m going to put you on speaker.”
“Aurora . . .”
“Okay, you’re on. Say hello to Gage.”
“Hello, man who whisked my best friend away and might be holding her hostage for all I know.”
“Emmy,” Aurora gasped.
Gage laughed. “I would have to be able to catch her first. She’s a really fast walker.”
“She is fast,” her friend agreed.
“Was she ever in the Olympics?” he asked, sending a teasing grin Aurora’s way. “I know they have a speed-walking event.”
This time it was Emmy who was snorting with laughter. “I never thought about that, but I think she could be a real contender.”
“Hello,” Aurora said. “I’m still here.”
“He’s funny,” Emmy said. “He scores a point for that.”
“He’s not trying to score any points,” Aurora said, sounding suddenly embarrassed.
“I might be,” he countered.
“You’re not,” Aurora told him. “Emmy, we’re almost to the lodge. Can I call you later?”
“Finish your call with your friend,” Gage said. “I’ll meet you inside when you’re through.”
He started up the lodge’s front steps, hearing Emmy, who was still on speaker, say, “Another point for the pilot.”
Grinning, Gage opened the door and stepped inside, giving Aurora some privacy to finish up her conversation with her friend.
“Emmy, stop with the points,” Aurora begged after the door closed behind Gage.
“You like him, don’t you? Is that why you’re staying on the island longer?”
Aurora fell silent. She had never lied to her friend, and she didn’t want to start now. But her feelings where Gage was concerned were too new and too unexpected to sort through.
“He’s a really nice guy,” she said. “And I’ve enjoyed spending time with him.
He knows so much about the wildlife here.
We went out on one of the retreat’s utility vehicles yesterday so I could get some river pictures for the magazine.
A bald eagle swooped right down in front of us to snatch a fish out of the water. ”
“Eew,” her friend replied, and Aurora knew without seeing her what face she was making on the other end of the call. Emmy was not as comfortable with nature.
“You eat fish,” Aurora pointed out.
“Already skinned and cooked and laying atop a bed of rice.”
Aurora glanced toward the lodge, catching sight of Gage through the wall of windows. He was standing by the table talking to his mother. “Emmy, thank you for checking on me. It means a lot. But I need to go. Gage is taking me out in search of more wildlife to photograph.”
“Have fun,” her friend replied.
“I will. Talk soon,” Aurora said. Ending the call, she slid her phone back into her coat pocket and then made her way inside.
“Hello,” Constance greeted with a warm smile.
“Hello,” Aurora replied.
“What a surprise to hear you’ve decided to extend your stay here.”
She nodded. “It was a last-minute decision. After going out in the UTV with Gage yesterday afternoon, I realized there’s a wealth of photographic opportunities still waiting for me here.”
“Will staying on be an issue for you with your job?” Constance asked.
“I’m pretty much self-employed. And as far as my magazine assignment I came to Alaska for, as long as I have internet service, I’m good.”
“How nice that you can travel about while you work,” his mother said as she reached for the basket on the table beside her. “Here’s the picnic lunch I fixed for you.”
“That was really thoughtful of you,” Aurora said with a grateful smile as Gage took the wicker basket from his mother.