Page 32 of Under the Northern Lights
She turned back to the fire so he wouldn’t see the small smile creeping across her face.Pretty.Dressed in faded denim jeans, well-used waterproof hiking boots, and a burgundy and gold plaid flannel shirt. Funny how one simple word could make a person’s whole day instantly brighter.
Aurora turned and walked over to join Gage on the sofa.
“Can I get you a cup of coffee or some hot tea?” he asked.
“No, thank you. The fire in the hearth did its job.” She bent to grab her camera bag.
“I’m guessing you don’t go anywhere without that?”
She sat upright and set the bag on her lap. “You never know when that next great shot is going to happen. Like this morning when I caught a whale breaching the water in the distance from where I stood at the end of the dock.”
“That is an incredible moment,” Gage replied. “I didn’t realize you’d ventured down to the docks this morning.”
She nodded. “I woke up early and felt the need for some fresh air, so I went for a walk. And before you say anything, I promise I was vigilant in watching out for Little John.”
“That’s good to know.”
“I’m thinking Big John is more fitting, by the way.”
Gage looked at her questioningly.
“I managed to capture a few really amazing shots of the sun’s morning glow on Little John’s backside as he scrambled away across the grassy area just beyond the larger guest cabins.”
Gage’s face, definitely a shade lighter than it was when she’d arrived at the lodge, pulled down into a frown. “Lucky for you he wasn’t running the other direction.”
“I had my bear spray at the ready just in case,” she assured him. “That and my treadmill-strengthened lungs.”
“Running wouldn’t have done you any good if Little John had charged you.”
“I know that,” she said, rolling her eyes. Did the man think she was completely uneducated when it came to wilderness survival knowledge? “I was referring to my lungs being exercise-strengthened and ready to release ear-splitting screams, should it come to that. Whatever it would have taken to deter Little John from having me for breakfast.”
“At least you had a plan,” he said, and Aurora could tell he wanted to say more but held back.
“I’m hoping to check out a little more of the island before we leave for Juneau this afternoon. Could you suggest a place to go, time permitting, that would offer the best nature shots?”
“You’d need to stand and turn in circles for that to happen.”
She looked at him questioningly.
“Everywhere you look on Conley Island, there’s some part of nature that draws you to it. Animals, flowers, waterfalls, gently flowing rivers ...”
“A northern paradise to be sure,” she agreed. “I wish I had more time to experience it all, but I don’t,” she said with a frown. “That being the case, if you could point me in the direction of the nearest river where guests like to fish, I would really appreciate it. I’m still on assignment forWorld Adventures Magazine,and my remaining time here on Conley Island is quickly running out.”
“How about after breakfast I take you to a few spots I think you’ll like in one of our utility task vehicles? There will be a little bit of hiking involved once we get to where we’re going in the UTV, but you’ve got the right footwear on for it,” he said, his gaze dropping down to her booted feet.
“It’s really sweet of you to offer up more of your time, but I’m not about to take you away from the responsibilities you have here at the retreat. I took up enough of your time yesterday.”
“You didn’t take it,” he stated. “I gave it. And until I get you safely back to Juneau, youaremy responsibility. That being the case, are you sure you wouldn’t like a slice or two of toast before we go? I’d hate to have you hungry enough to eat Little John for breakfast should your paths cross again.”
Oh, that witty little sense of humor of his, Aurora thought, smiling inwardly as she shook her head. And here she’d believed his grin to be his most charming attribute.
“I think Little John is safe.”
“A granola bar and a water,” Gage repeated with a husky chuckle. “I’m thinking Little John had better keep right on running in the opposite direction.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Are you sure I’m not keeping you from anything important?” Aurora asked as Gage assisted her into the side-by-side vehicle.
