Page 81 of Hunter

“It’s quiet in the off-season. That’s true.” She gives me a pointed look. “But make no mistake, Hunter, youwouldbe missed.”

“Yeah. I know.” I grimace. “That’s the hardest part about all of this.”

“But that said, when Isabella told me she’s coming back next summer, the first thing I thought was: Why should she spend months away from her family if you don’t spend months away from yours? It felt like she was making a bigger sacrifice. It didn’t really seem fair. I think relationships are more successful in the long run if both parties have to compromise, not just one.”

She rolls up two tiny socks into a light pink ball before continuing.

“It’s actually more common than you’d think—a couple living in two places instead of one. McKenna says it’s called a ‘time-share’ relationship. It’s when a couple lives in one place for part of the year, and somewhere else for another. It got popular during COVID because people worked remotely, realizing they didn’t have to live in one place all the time. She read about an America-Canadian pair that spent winters in San Diego and summers in Banff. Worked great for those folks.”

I think about what she’s saying.

Leaving Skagway every October first and living half my life in Seattle feels…daunting.

“I guess it could work for us, too. I don’t know,” I say uncertainly, taking a deep breath and exhaling it so loudly that Wren starts, her wide blue eyes looking accusingly at mine. “Sorry, baby girl.” I lie down on my side next to my niece, swinging a bright green monkey over her head. She grins at it, reaching up to grab it with her tiny fingers.

But saying goodbye to Isabella again without a plan for our future feels…agonizing.

I look up at my sister. “I love her, Harp. I love her terrible.”

“Yeah,” says Harper, grinning at me. She picks up a tiny pink sweater and folds it in half. “I know.”

“It could work, I think. I mean, we could also come back for Thanksgiving, you know, to break up the year a little. And New Year’s, too.” I scan Harper’s eyes, suddenly feeling like my whole decision hinges on my sister’s reaction. “What do you think?”

“I think,” she says, “it sounds like a plan.”

***

Isabella

Toward the end of the day, the boutique often gets quiet, and Freya heads home early, leaving me in charge. Today, I decideto use that time to call my mother and talk to her outside of Hunter’s earshot. My parents don’t know about my plan to return to Skagway next summer, and I’ve put off telling them for long enough. I figure I’ll tell them now, softening the blow by letting them know I’ve also signed my contract for the upcoming school year. Hopefully one will balance out the other.

“So you’re definitely returning to Alaska next summer,mi hija? You’ve decided?”

“I have,” I tell her. “But don’t worry! I’ll keep my job at the academy during the school year. That won’t change.”

“Ah-ha. I see. So, you’ll be home from September to May?”

“That’s right.”

“And then back to Alaska next summer.” She sighs. “Isn’t it cold there? What does Alaska have that Seattle doesn’t?”

“It’s not that cold. It can almost get hot during the day. And it stays light until midnight,” I say. “Plus, I can make a lot of money. They pay so much more here.”

“That’s good. Money is important.” She pauses. “But we miss you,mi hija. It’s been a long summer here without you.”

My heart clenches. The last thing I want to do is hurt my parents.

“Next year I could try to come home for a weekend in July to break up the summer a little. Or Mama, you and Papa could come here. It’s so beautiful! You’d love it,” I say. “And don’t forget, I’ll be home in three weeks, and I’m staying put until Memorial Day weekend. I’ll be around so much, you’ll get sick of me.”

“Never,mi hija.” She pauses. “How is McKenna?”

“She’s great. It’s been amazing to spend so much time with her.”

“I’m sure,” she says. “But then…you’re notonlyspending time with her, are you?”

I laugh nervously. Something in her tone makes me feel like a six-year-old all over again. “I’ve made a lot of new friends.”

“Friends.” She clears her throat. “Any new friends in particular?”

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