“I should go see what else I need to do to help,” she said quietly to Gage’s father, who was rising from his chair to greet their arriving breakfast guests.
Aurora hoped that Gage and Reed would make it back in time for breakfast. She had no idea what they were repairing, so who knew how long it would take? That morning, when he’d walked her to the lodge for breakfast, Gage had asked if she wanted to accompany him to Juneau after they finished eating. He was flying in to pick up the supplies they had on order there. There had been no hesitation in her reply. Not if it meant another chance to take pictures of the beautiful, vast land beneath them as they flew. Not if it meant spending more time with Gage and that adorably charming smile of his.
“I was worried you and Reed might not make it back in time for breakfast this morning,” Aurora said as she snapped pictures from where she sat in the front of the floatplane next to Gage.
“Well, you had more than enough company to keep you occupied if I hadn’t,” he replied. “You were like a sea siren surrounded by a bunch of googly-eyed sailors.”
Aurora lowered her camera with a snort. “Googly-eyed?”
He glanced her way. “You know, like this,” he said, demonstrating his impression of what he’d found when he and his brother had returned for breakfast.
She burst into a fit of laughter. “Hardly. I asked how their fishing vacation was going and if they had reeled in any big catches. I’m not sure if they were exaggerating or not, but Robert, I believe his name was, said he caught a fish that wasover three feet long and weighed more than one hundred and fifty pounds. That’s a pretty big fish.”
“Pacific halibut,” Gage replied. “The world record has one weighing over four hundred and fifty pounds, and that record-setting fish was caught right here in Alaska.”
“That’s a big fish. How does the fisherman not end up getting yanked into the water while trying to reel one of those fish in?”
“We have our methods,” Gage told her. “If you’re curious, I’d be happy to take you out on one of our fishing boats before you leave to go back to Seattle. You could see what it’s like to fish for those big boys firsthand. And if you get pulled in, I’ll jump in and rescue you.”
“I would love that!” she said excitedly.
“Seriously?” he said, dark brows lifting. Jess would have turned that opportunity down flat.
“Absolutely.”
“Aurora,” Gage said, leaning forward to catch a better glimpse out his window, “look down there.” He pointed to an area ahead of them. “Right along the edge of the water.”
“A momma bear with her cubs!” she gasped, immediately aiming her camera in that direction. “Look how they stick right by her.”
“They’re learning,” he said as the plane passed by the threesome down below. “Probably yearlings. Won’t be long before they are grown enough to set off on their own.”
She glanced his way. “Have you ever considered giving tours? You know so much about the wildlife, and the sea life, and even about the land.”
He smiled. “What is it they say about great minds? I actually have tossed the idea of giving air tours as an add-on for guests, but not land tours,” he replied. “I might have to think about adding that to my list of possible additions to the retreat.” It wouldn’t cost much to integrate something like that. He alreadyowned a plane for the air tours, and he knew the land around him. Reed also knew the land every bit as well as Gage did. His brother could help with land tours when he wasn’t taking guests out on the boat.
“I hope you do,” Aurora replied. “I think you would make an awesome tour guide for the retreat. In fact, I should be paying you for taking me all over the place to get shots of the Alaskan wildlife. Not to mention all the interesting facts I’ve learned from you during our outings.”
“I’m not taking your money for doing that,” he replied. “Besides, it’s been a welcome distraction from the things that have been weighing on my mind.”
“I’m glad it’s given you a little reprieve,” she said. “So if you do start land tours, will you be taking your guests out on UTV picnics?”
“Nope. I only offer UTV picnics to special guests,” he replied with his most charming grin.
She smiled. “Well, thank you for including me among your special guests. I can now say that I have gone on a picnic. And not just at some beach or park. I did it on a remote island in Alaska. Between the distant snowcapped mountaintops and the stunningly colorful fall leaves, I know these pictures I’ve taken here are some of my best ever.”
She relaxed against the seat as she pulled up the picture she had just taken of the bears. “This is amazing. I’m so glad you brought me along with you today.”
Him too. Aurora had a way of making everything in life seem fresh and new. “You might want to pack up. We’re going to be landing in Juneau in a few minutes.”
Nodding, she grabbed for her camera bag and began to prepare for their arrival. The landing was smooth, and the skies were clear. A far cry from the flight they had from Juneau to the island days before.
“If you keep an eye on the treetops, you might find spy eagles nested in some. Hopefully, we can get you a shot of one. Even though it’s not as exciting as having it swoop down past you.”
“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.”
