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. Wewent 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.
