Page 44 of Under the Northern Lights
“Thank you for letting me help out with breakfast this morning,” Aurora said as she counted out eleven plates from the hutch in the kitchen. She would be joining Gage and his family, as would their five remaining guests.
“You should be in the great room relaxing and visiting with the other guests,” Gage’s mother fretted as she pulled the two pans of breakfast casseroles she had made that morning out of the commercial-sized double ovens.
“I’d rather be helping,” Aurora assured her. “Eleven people are a lot to prepare breakfast for.” And Gage’s mother didn’t skimp on what she served. That morning’s menu was a choice of two different breakfast casseroles. One filled with hash browns, eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, and cheese. The other with eggs, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and feta cheese. And Julia had made fresh biscuits to go with them.
“Eleven is way less than we used to have,” Julia said as she filled a tray with coffee cups.
“Your brother is working on that,” her mother said in a hushed tone. “Let’s not bother Aurora with family business.” She picked up a trivet and one of the foil-covered trays and started from the kitchen.
Aurora’s heart went out to Gage because she knew he was the brother Constance was referring to. Gage had opened up to Aurora about trying to keep their fishing business from being overtaken by companies that only cared about the dollar earned. She had faith he would find a way to make that happen. What he hadn’t told her about was the wonderful breakfasts that guests staying there received. Or about the game nights, where everyone was considered a part of their family. How funny his brother was. How adorable his sister was. The list went on.
“It’s hard on her, seeing business slow down,” Julia said as she added silverware and napkins to the tray with the coffee cups.
Her words drew Aurora from her thoughts. “I’m sure it is.”
“We have to be realistic,” Julia added, sounding far older than her years. “Life isn’t all fun and games. And all the family love we have for each other might not always be enough to make everything turn out the way you hope it will.” She started off in the direction her mother had just gone.
“Julia,” Aurora called after her.
Gage’s sister stopped in the doorway, glancing back over her shoulder.
“Things will be alright,” she said. “Gage will make sure of it.”
Julia smiled. “I hope so.”
Aurora followed her out into the great room, passing Gage’s mother on the way.
“I’ll grab the biscuits and butter,” the older woman said as she scurried back into the kitchen.
Aurora’s gaze skimmed the open room, searching for Gage, who had been busy lubricating the lodge’s front door, which had started squeaking.
“He ran down to the docks to help Reed with one of the boats,” Gage’s father announced from where he sat in one of the recliners going through some paperwork.
“Gage,” Julia supplied as if Aurora hadn’t realized who the “he” was.
She blushed at their awareness of her visual search for Gage. “We should get the table set,” Aurora said, neither confirming nor denying their observation.
Julia nodded in agreement. “The other guests will be here in about five minutes.”
Aurora began setting out the plates she’d carried from the kitchen while Julia placed a neatly folded napkin, silverware, and a coffee cup next to each dish. As soon as they were done, Julia headed back to the kitchen.
Aurora went to follow, only to be stopped by Gage’s father, who called out, “Aurora ...”
She stopped and glanced his way.
“I know you prefer ph-photographing animals, but I’d like to hire y-you to take our f-family picture before you go?”
“I’d be honored to take your family’s picture,” she replied. “And I certainly don’t want payment for it. I’d also be happy to take some pictures of your retreat for you to use in your advertising if you’d like.”
“That would be wonderful. And you insisted on paying for your stay here. Well, taking pictures is what you do for a living. So you’ll be paid for any pictures you take for us. Unless we call it even ...”
She shook her head. “I can’t do that. A week’s stay here is worth more than the cost of a family portrait session.” She thought about their current financial situation. “What if you give me two nights of my stay at no charge in exchange for my doing your family photo shoot?”
He sat in thought for a long moment before responding, “It’s a deal.”
She smiled.
The lodge door opened, and several men came inside, laughing and talking among each other.
