Page 32 of Under the Northern Lights

It seemed their chance encounter had left a lasting impression on both of them. “Gage ...” she began, wanting to tell him she was grateful for more than his escorting her around the island during her stay there.

“Yes?”

Don’t complicate his life any more than it is , a voice in the back of her head warned.

“I hope to come back again someday.” She would make certain of it.

She had come to love everything about this visually breathtaking part of the world.

From its quiet remoteness, to its abundance of wildlife just waiting to be photographed.

From the views to be found while flying above it all in Gage’s plane, to time spent with his warm and welcoming family.

“I ... uh, I mean we look forward to having you come back to visit us again someday,” Gage replied.

Aurora tried not to smile. It was nice to know she would be welcomed back by both Gage and his family.

“I can’t believe you leave tomorrow,” Julia said with an effective pout.

“I know,” Aurora agreed as she packed her camera equipment away.

She’d come to the lodge early that morning to take the family pictures she’d promised Gage’s father she would take before she left Conley Island.

She knew how important they were to him after coming so close to not being there for family pictures.

“I’m so excited to see those pictures,” Constance said as she set a platter of crispy bacon on the table with the rest of their breakfast selections.

“I will email them to Gage as soon as I get back and can edit them,” Aurora promised. “The earthy shades you all chose to wear for your family portrait blend together so perfectly. Like the colors of nature that surround your home.”

They were dressed in black dress pants. Each wore a sweater, in different styles and colors.

Gage in a dark blue like the water that surrounded the island.

Reed in a dark brown like the earth under them.

Their parents in dark green like the woods around them.

And Julia in a warm gold sweater she said represented fall on the island, but as far as Aurora was concerned, it was more of a reflection of her warm and caring heart of gold.

“I can’t remember the last time our family got all dressed up for a family photo,” Jim said as he took his seat at the table.

Aurora was thankful he was there to share in the moment with his family, considering how things could have turned out.

“Don’t get too used to it,” Reed muttered. “Unless I’m allowed to wear jeans for the next one.”

“We can do that,” their mother replied. Then she looked at Aurora. “Maybe we could hire you to come out and take our family pictures again next year?”

Aurora smiled. “I’m sure we can work something out. I already told Gage I hope to come back to visit again. I still can’t believe my visit here is over. It went by so fast.”

Reed took a seat at the dining table and reached out to scoop a spoonful of potatoes onto his plate. “You know what they say. Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Aurora nodded in agreement as she took her seat. Hank had taken the other guests out fishing, allowing Aurora to share time alone with Gage and his family. “I’ve had the best time here.” She glanced around the table. “You’ve all been so welcoming. I feel like I’ve known you all forever.”

Julia sniffled.

“Are you crying?” Reed asked his sister with a quirked brow.

“No,” she said, dabbing at her eyes with her napkin. “I think we put too much onion in the fried potatoes.”

“If you’re ever looking for a n-new job,” Gage’s father said, “I’d be happy to hire you to be in charge of game n-night here at the retreat.”

Aurora laughed. “I will keep that in mind should I need a career switch.”

As they had at every breakfast she’d spent with Gage’s family, everyone talked and laughed.

Gage’s father told funny stories about Gage and his siblings when they were growing up.

Aurora told them about some of her and Jade’s silly antics when they were young girls.

She was going to miss these moments, just as she missed the time she used to spend with her family after she’d moved away.

She would be going back to a coffee and bagel from her local coffee shop, which she would take back to her condo to eat while working.

Gage set his napkin on the table next to his plate. Then he looked at Aurora. “We’d better get moving if we’re going to get you out on the water to experience a fishing trip the way we do it here.”

Reed swiped a napkin across his mouth. “True. We want to get you out there while the fish are biting.” Pushing away from the table, he stood. “Good breakfast, Mom.” He looked at Gage. “I’ll go get the boat ready while you and Aurora suit up.”

“Are you sure you want to go out fishing on a drizzly day like this?” Gage’s mother asked Aurora.

“The weather is supposed to clear up,” she replied with an affirmative nod. “This is my last chance to do it. I’m not about to miss out because of a little rain.”

“She’s a trooper,” Jim said, meeting Gage’s gaze.

“I try to be,” Aurora said with a laugh.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t get you out sooner,” Gage said.

“You had guests that were already booked to go out,” Aurora replied.

“I’m just glad to have the opportunity to give it a try before I go back to Seattle.

” Conversation stopped as her cell phone went off across the room.

“I should get that,” she said. “I sent a batch of photos out to Eugene late last night. He might have had issues receiving them, since internet service here isn’t quite the same as on the mainland. ”

Reed, who had already stood to leave, hurried over to grab Aurora’s jacket from the back of the sofa, since she was on the opposite side of the table. By the time he returned and handed it to her across the table, the ringing had ceased. “Sorry,” he apologized.

“You tried,” she told him. Retrieving her phone from her pocket, she pulled up her missed call screen. Her brows knitted together as she read the caller’s name.

“Mr. Watkins?” Gage asked.

“No,” she answered.

“Emmy, making sure you’re actually coming home tomorrow?” he teased with a grin.

Aurora shook her head. “No. It’s—” The cell phone rang again, this time in her hand. She hadn’t spoken to her ex for months, but then they were both busy with their careers. Answering the call, she brought the phone to her ear. “Hello, Ben.”

“Hey, Aurora,” her ex-fiancé said. “I was hoping we might be able to get together for dinner soon. I have something pretty important I want to talk to you about.”

“I’m not in Seattle right now,” she told him, wondering what it was he needed to meet up with her to discuss. “I’m in Alaska on an assignment. I have a few things going on when I get back. Can I call you then, and we’ll set something up that fits both our schedules?”

“Alaska?” he replied.

“It’s where World Adventures Magazine needed me to go.”

“I see. Hope you’re doing okay.”

She looked at Gage. “I’m doing better than expected.”

“I’m glad. Same here.”

She glanced over to find Gage watching her, his expression unreadable. Why did she feel so guilty sitting there talking to her ex about a proposed dinner date?

“Talk to you when I get back.” Disconnecting the call, she smiled sheepishly at Gage’s family. “Ben and I have been friends since we were children.”

“Friends?” Julia repeated with a studying glance.

Aurora looked back up at Gage to find his gaze no longer fixed on her but on the eggs he was shoveling around on his plate.

“I guess you’ll be able to catch your friend up on everything you’ve been doing here during your stay,” Reed said with an intentional glance in Gage’s direction.

She knew Reed was thinking about the kiss he’d interrupted on the porch the afternoon they had arrived in the rainstorm. “I’m not sure he’ll bring it up when I see him again. Ben and I were engaged,” she admitted, feeling the need to be honest with Gage’s family, “until I called off our wedding.”

“Oh,” Constance said, surprise in her eyes.

Oh, great. Now Gage’s mother thought she was like Gage’s ex.

“We both agreed that we were not each other’s person and deserved something more than friendship in a marriage.

Even if friendship is an important basis to build something more on, I knew in my heart that was all there would ever be between us.

I’m just thankful Ben and I were able to remain friends. ”

“You don’t owe us any explanations,” Gage told her. “Your personal life isn’t our business.”

Why did he suddenly sound so businesslike?

“Gage is right,” his father said.

“Unless your friend is having second thoughts about the breakup,” Julia said with a pout.

Aurora felt guilty, but allowing herself to feel that way because a good friend wanted to meet up with her was silly. Especially when she and Gage had no sort of commitment between them.

“Well, I’d better go get our rain gear ready so we can get down to the dock. Time is running out,” Gage said as he rose to his feet.

As if Aurora needed any reminding of that fact.

“I’ll walk out with you,” Reed said.

Gage looked at Aurora. “I’ll meet you out on the porch when you’re ready.”

She nodded, watching them go.

“I hope things work out for you,” Constance said as she stood and began clearing the dishes from the table.

“There really isn’t anything to work out,” Aurora told her. “Ben and I didn’t have the kind of relationship that I truly want with the person I intend to spend the rest of my life with.”

“Honey, I was referring to your magazine assignment,” she said. “I hope it works out and you get that in-house job you’re hoping for.”

“Same,” Julia said. “Although I really wish things had turned out differently for you and my brother.”

“I really like Gage.”

“I hear a ‘but’ coming,” Julia said.