“I can get those,” she said.
“I’ve got them,” Gage told her as he placed the neatly folded, now dry, poncho into the large plastic bag that held her purchases. “You take care of your camera bag.”
Reed glanced down at the bags hanging just below her waist on both sides. “Serious picture-taker.”
“I suppose you could say that,” Aurora replied. “I’m a professional photographer.”
Reed tipped his perfectly sculpted chin upward in a pose. “If you ever need a model ...”
Gage gave him a playful shove. “She’s already on a job. You’ll have to stick to selfies.”
Hank, who had finished checking to make sure the plane was secured to the dock, stepped over to join the group. “All good,” he told Gage.
Gage nodded. “Thanks, Hank.”
The man’s curious gaze slid to Aurora. “Well, if this isn’t a pleasant surprise. I didn’t realize we were expecting another guest.”
“We weren’t,” Reed said. “Gage came to her rescue after she missed her flight.”
“Hank,” Gage said, “this is Aurora Daniels. Aurora, Hank Mills.”
“Welcome to Conley Island,” he greeted with a wide, welcoming smile.
“Thank you,” she replied.
“Hank’s our go-to man here,” Reed explained. “He helps captain one of our two fishing boats whenever groups go out, and he can fix anything and everything around here that needs fixing.”
Hank gave a hearty chuckle. “Keep talking up my many professional attributes, and I might just have to ask for a hefty raise.” He glanced in Aurora’s direction. “Let it be known that I’ve taught these two everything I know, so they’re every bit as capable as I am.”
“If Gage captains a boat even half as good as he flies that plane, then you’ve taught him well,” Aurora said.
“Reed’s more skilled behind a ship’s wheel,” Gage admitted. “My specialty is flying.”
“He does both well,” his brother countered. “But let’s not waste time talking about Gage’s skillsets. We have a guest to get settled in.”
They made their way up the wooden plank walkway.
“We were beginning to wonder if you were going to be back in time for dinner,” Hank said.
“My meeting with Clive ran over, and then Aurora showed up in a bit of a fluster.”
“And your brother offered to help me. Since I was a little wet from the rain, we stopped in town so I could pick up a few things before leaving Juneau,” Aurora explained.
“Do you like salmon?” Reed asked.
“I do.”
“Good. I’ll tell Mom to add one more place setting at the dinner table this evening,” he replied.
“Oh, no,” Aurora said, “I don’t want to intrude on your family’s dinner plans.”
“You have to eat,” Gage said. “And it’s not intruding. Our family and our guests share meals at the lodge. Although a few of our guests bring their own groceries and choose to cook in their cabins.”
Reed raised an arm, casting a glance at the watch peeking out from under the cuff of his denim sleeve. “It’s a few minutes before four. Unless something unforeseen happens in the kitchen, and it could,” he added with a grin, “dinner will be served at five thirty.” He looked at Gage. “Julia’s helping.”
“Oh, boy,” Gage replied with a husky chuckle.
“Oh, boy?” Aurora pressed as she walked beside him.
