Page 23 of Under the Northern Lights

“That would have been such an incredible picture, but it wasn’t meant to be. I’d be more than happy to settle for one in a treetop.”

“I have to pick up a supply order at the hardware store,” he said. “You’re welcome to come along or visit the shops while I take care of that. I can just find you when I’m finished.”

“Do what you need to do,” she said. “I’ll spend time exploring and doing a little store browsing while you’re gone.”

“If we have time, we can stop by Glady’s place to say hello before we fly back.”

“That would be nice.” She glanced his way. “Do we have time to fit all that in? I know Reed’s expecting you back.”

He smiled. “We should. Unless you get caught up in an all-day shopping spree. And if that happens, we’ll simply have to catch up with Glady on another trip.”

“Okay. That sounds like a good plan.”

“Come on,” Gage said, inclining his head, “I’ll walk with you to the start of the port shops and then head off to take care of retreat business.”

The port area in Juneau was filled with people scurrying about, mostly cruise passengers, according to Gage. Their haste was understandable, seeing as how time allotted in port was never enough for one to really take in all the beauty Juneau had to offer.

Women clutching various shopping bags hurried from one store to the next, while several men stood talking outside each of those stores. No doubt waiting for their significant others to finish up with their day’s purchases.

“So this is what the cruise port looks like when the ships are docked here,” Aurora noted with interest.

He nodded. “Pretty busy. The ships stop docking here by the end of September and won’t come back again until sometime in April. There’s a new agreement the town made with the cruise lines, limiting visitors brought in daily, with less allowed on Saturdays.”

“That’s so many people.”

Gage nodded. “Residents here were getting fed up with the post-pandemic crowds that were swarming the town and sought to change things. The agreement allows them to have both the income the ship passengers bring to Juneau, while also giving Juneau more of a community feel, rather than overwhelmingly touristy.”

“I can’t say that I blame the people who live here full-time for wanting to take back a little bit of their town,” Aurora said.

Looking around the busy street, Gage said, “This is why I choose to live on an island.”

“The most incredible little island,” Aurora agreed.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said and meant it.

“Well, hello there!”

Aurora looked down the sidewalk to see Mr. Wilson heading their way, his adorable companion, Bailey, at his side. She smiled and waved her greeting. “Hello!’

“Mr. Wilson,” Gage said with a nod of greeting.

“Hope you’re enjoying your stay here,” he said to Aurora as they stepped aside to converse for a moment on the busy sidewalk.

“I am,” Aurora replied. “Thank you.” She looked down at the golden retriever who had seated herself next to her owner. “Hello, Bailey. It’s so good to see you again.”

The dog’s tail thumped happily on the sidewalk.

“We’re just out for our daily walk.” Mr. Wilson looked down at his faithful companion.

“Aurora’s hoping to do a little browsing through some of our shops today,” Gage told him.

“Don’t let us hold you up,” Mr. Wilson replied. “Bailey and I need to finish our walk and get back to the diner. Glady is making us meatloaf.”

“Hers is the best,” Gage noted.

“Come on, girl,” Mr. Wilson said. “Rest time is over. Let’s go get our meatloaf.”

As if prompted by the promise of food, Bailey bound to her feet, tail wagging even harder.

Mr. Wilson looked their way. “Have a good rest of your day, you two.”

“We will,” Gage replied. “Same to you.”

Aurora and Gage had only continued on a short distance when she stopped in her tracks. “Do you smell that?” she asked Gage, her gaze sweeping the area. “Mmm ... whatever it is, it smells wonderful.”

Gage knew exactly what she smelled. Apples and spices. He pointed to a black storefront about ten or so feet away. On a small, white distressed-wood table next to the entrance step, a two-wick candle burned, luring shoppers in to try the various candle scents offered there.

Aurora read the gold lettering that stretched out over the door aloud, “1820 House Candle Company. Ooh, I love a good candle!”

“Well, these are the best,” Gage said. “At least, according to my mom. This is the only place she’ll buy candles. They’re all soy and burn for a really long time. She likes them so much she buys the scents in multiples of two. Like she’s preparing for some sort of candle ark.”

Aurora laughed. “If they’re that good, I think I’ll start my perusing of the stores here,” she said with barely concealed excitement.

He stepped over and swung the door open, then made a sweeping gesture with his hand. “After you.”

“You’re coming in?”

“I might as well pick Mom up a couple of her favorite candles while I’m here.”

“You’re sweet.”

“Sweet like the candle,” he replied and then bit back a groan at how corny that response sounded.

He never tossed out silly one-liners with his ex.

But then Jess wouldn’t have smiled or laughed the way Aurora did when he tossed those things out.

She would have pursed her lips in irritation.

His gaze sought out his family’s pretty guest, only to confirm his musings as she stood shaking her head at him with a grin.

Aurora groaned aloud. “Oh my gosh, the smell is even better inside.”

“Morning, Gage.”

“Morning, Sidney,” he replied to the dark-haired, twenty-seven-year-old entrepreneur-in-the-making as she came over to greet them.

Just as he and his siblings would someday take over the retreat completely, Sidney would someday step into her mother’s role of owning and running the candle shop.

He looked at Aurora. “Sidney and Julia studied marketing in college together.”

“How nice,” Aurora replied. “That’s how my best friend Emmy and I met. We were both pursuing our Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a minor in business at Seattle University.”

“Julia and I knew each other growing up but didn’t become close friends until college. But I’m so grateful we did.” Sidney smiled. “Anyway, welcome to 1820 House.”

“Thank you.”

“Aurora wanted to see what other scents you have while we’re in town. I told her how much Mom loves 1820 House candles.”

Sidney’s slender brows arched slightly. “You’re here together?” she asked as if trying to decipher what kind of together they were.

He could see why Sidney and his sister had become such good friends.

They were both inquisitive and not afraid to ask questions.

“Aurora’s just a guest at the retreat,” he quickly explained, not wanting Sidney to misread the situation and add fuel to the fire with his sister and mother wanting him to find someone special.

“Uh, yes, I’m just a guest,” Aurora agreed, glancing his way.

She wasn’t smiling. Why did it feel as though he’d just hurt her feelings? That’s the last thing he ever wanted to do.

Aurora pulled her gaze away from his and turned to Sidney. “That candle I smelled burning outside of your shop stopped me in my tracks.”

“It’s part of our Northern Candlelights Collection,” she replied. “We call it Solar Flare. It’s a blend of apple and cinnamon with a hint of clove.”

“I love the play on the Northern Lights,” Aurora told her. “But then I was named after them, so I tend to like everything that has to do with the Northern Lights. Even if I have yet to see them for myself.”

“I hope you get to someday,” Sidney replied.

“They’re spectacular. The collection was my idea.

Mom came up with the five scents for the line.

Solar Flare, mixing apple, cinnamon, and clove.

Spectacular Sky, which is pumpkin and vanilla.

Dancing Lights, vanilla and cardamom. All Aglow, which is vanilla, clove, and dried orange peel.

And Beautiful Aurora, which smells just like a sugar cookie, because seeing the Northern Lights is the sweetest, most breathtaking moment ever. ”

Beautiful Aurora. Sweet. Breathtaking. She was definitely all of that, Gage thought. Her parents couldn’t have given her a more fitting name. “Beautiful Aurora sounds like one Mom would love,” he said. “Can you please wrap one up for her?”

“Only one?” Sidney asked, clearly knowing better.

“You’re right,” he said with a chuckle. “Make it two. Actually, make it three. I’d like to get one for Aurora.”

Aurora looked surprised by the gesture. “Gage, that’s?—”

“Sweet of me,” he finished for her. “We’ve already covered that part. I’m just a sweet guy.”

Sidney snorted, drawing both their gazes her way. “Sorry,” she said, waving their attention away. “I’m just going to go about my business.”

“Gage, I’d love to take some candles home with me, but I’m pretty sure they’re not permitted in a carry-on,” Aurora said.

“Then I’ll mail them to you in Seattle.”

“If she finds any other candles she wants, I can mail them all to her together,” Sidney offered. “It would save on postage.”

“I’ll accept your gift,” Aurora said with an appreciative smile, “but I insist on paying for my own shipping for anything I buy, plus the candle you’re buying for me.”

He nodded. At least, she was accepting his gift.

Looking to Sidney, she said, “Can I smell the candles in the Northern Candlelights Collection?”

“Absolutely,” the younger woman replied. “They’re over here on this wall,” she said, motioning for Aurora to follow as she crossed the room.

Gage walked over and took a seat in one of two leather armchairs in front of a large candle display window. The perfect spot for husbands to wait while their wives shopped. Or, in his case, while his guest, who felt oddly like something more, shopped.

“So, what was the candle I smelled coming in called again?” Aurora asked.

“That was Solar Flare.”

“It smelled so unbelievably good,” Aurora told her. “I absolutely love the candle scents that come out in the fall and at Christmas.”