“That’s what’s known as a pod of whales,” Gage explained. “You’re catching the tail end of them. By the end of September, they’ll be migrating to warmer waters. Some traveling as far as Hawaii before returning to Alaska sometime in April.”
She smiled up at him. “There you go again. You know so much about everything. It’s like having my own personal tour guide along with me on this trip.” She brought up her camera to snap another shot of the beautiful creatures as they continued their journey.
Gage stood watching, thinking about how intricate and amazing nature was. And how beautiful Aurora was when she was lost in her photographic passion for it all.
Aurora sighed. “It’s moments like this that make you forget all about the weather and just appreciate everything around you. From the emerging tails of passing whales to the pine-covered mountains with their snowcapped peaks visible through the light mist of the falling rain.”
“You know,” Gage said, “I grew up with all of this a part of my everyday life. But when I’m with you, I better understand the saying about living vicariously through someone else. You make me feel like I’m experiencing all of this for the first time.”
“I’m so happy I’ve been able to do that for you,” she said, looking up into his eyes.
She had no idea how much her coming into his life had done for him.
“We’re going to drop anchor up ahead and see if we can’t turn you into a fisherman,” Reed called out from where he sat at the wheel.
Delight written all over her face, Aurora hurried to wipe her camera off before returning it to the waterproof bag. “That would be fisherwoman,” she corrected with a grin.
Reed laughed. “My bad.”
“Your brother reminds me a lot of Emmy,” she told Gage. Reaching out, she braced herself on the aluminum railing as the boat picked up speed again.
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate knowing that he reminds you of a woman,” Gage said with a chuckle.
Aurora rolled her eyes. “He reminds me of Emmy because they are both artistic. He has the same snarky sense of humor. And he says whatever’s on his mind, even if he has to backtrack after the fact.”
Gage nodded. “That would be Reed. Truth is, I thought the same thing that evening I spoke to Emmy during our walk to the main lodge.”
“Thankfully, she didn’t try and track me down when she was questioning your trustworthiness. Can you imagine if those two ever joined forces to torment us?”
The boat slowed to a stop.
“Looks like we’re at our spot,” Gage told her.
Reed came over to join them, carrying a rod. “Weather’s clearing up. Should be a good time to fish.”
“I’m so excited for this,” she told him. “I used to have a bright pink fishing pole I fished with whenever my family went camping when I was a little girl. But the minuscule fish I would catch back then wouldn’t even qualify as bait for some of the ones I’ve seen caught by your family, and your guests, in that album on the great room’s coffee table.”
“Maybe we can add one of your catches from today to our ‘Big Catch’ photo album.”
“Count on it.” Gage joined in as he took the rod Reed had brought over for Aurora to use.
“I’ll leave you to help Aurora get her line cast in,” Reed told him. “I’m going to go grab a pole and drop a line of my own.”
“We’ll cast from the rear of the boat,” Gage told her, leading Aurora in the direction Reed had gone, only he moved to the opposite side of the boat.
Aurora listened intently as Gage instructed her on the weight he’d added to the line to get it to drop down and stay at a good depth. He told her about the lure they were using and how to cast it.
“Now, let’s get your line in that water,” Gage said once he’d finished going over the basics. “Come on.” He motioned for Aurora to come stand close to him. “I’ll help you with this first cast.”
Together, they cast her line out into the water, and then he instructed her on how to place the base of her rod into one of the mounted holders along the rear side of the charter boat.
“Thatta girl,” Gage said as he stepped away. “Now, we wait.”
The tip of the rod bowed down seconds later and then bounced back up. Aurora looked at Gage in a panic. “Surely I don’t have a bite already.”
He chuckled. “I’d say you do.”
The rod’s shaft curved more sharply.
