Page 34 of Under the Northern Lights
“I have faith in you,” she said, letting her hand fall away. “And I have no doubt your family does as well.”
He cast a smile in her direction. “I appreciate that.”
The trail they were driving on through the woods widened as it opened to a large, sunlit meadow. In the distance, the winding river he wanted Aurora to see flowed gently around peeking boulders. When it wasn’t rainy season and water depths were lower, small islands of time-smoothed stones could be seen with the water trickling over them. Beyond the river was a mountain thick with pines and dotted with trees haloed in shades of yellow and crimson.
“It looks like a postcard,” Aurora breathed beside him.
“One of my favorite spots on the island,” Gage admitted as he brought the UTV to a stop. Cutting the engine, he climbed out.
“I can understand why.” Aurora pulled the camera she’d brought along with her from the padded bag at her side. Then she practically jumped out.
Gage smiled as he followed her.
She paused every few steps to take a few more pictures. “It’s so tranquil here. And look how the distant mountain, with the billowy white clouds above it, reflects its mirror image across the water!”
“I thought you would like the view.”
“Like it? I love it!” She glanced his way. “Is the fishing good here? Because I could see this river pictured inWorld Adventures Magazine.”
No sooner had the question left her lips than an eagle flew past, swooping down over the river to catch a small fish. As fast as it came in, the eagle was gone, flying off with its skillfully caught meal.
“Well,” Aurora laughed, “I suppose that answers my question. I’m only sorry I didn’t have my camera aimed in the right direction. That would have been a beautiful shot.”
“I’m not so sure that poor fish would agree.”
“Gage!” she groaned. “Way to turn a majestic moment of power and grace into a fish’s worst nightmare.”
Gage chuckled. “Sorry. How about we go with the eagle accidentally dropping it further on down the river as he flew off toward his nest.”
“Good for that fish,” she replied and then sighed. “Bad for the baby eaglets waiting to be fed.”
“Thankfully, their mother flew back with a snake that she found, and the eaglets had a fine feast.” He glanced her way. “Does the snake part work?”
“Perfectly,” she replied, her smile returning.
“Now, getting back to your question, the fishing is plentiful here,” he told her. “There are still a few varieties of salmon around for catching this time of year, as well as rainbow trout.”
Aurora brought her camera up and took several pictures of the water and the view beyond it. “If I were a fisherman, I’d want to spend hours fishing here just for the view alone.”
“I am a fisherman, and I have spent a good part of the day here fishing for that night’s dinner at the lodge more times than I can count,” he told her as he gazed out over the gently flowing water. “It’s peaceful here. A great place to relax and unwind.”
“Would you mind if I took a picture of you standing alongside the river?” she asked hopefully. “You just seem to fit so perfectly into this beautifully rugged landscape.”
He laughed. “I’ve never been compared to a landscape before. Thank you. I think.”
“Take it as a compliment,” she replied with a grin before motioning him closer to the water. “That’s it. One more step to the left. We want to get the mountain peak behind you in the background.”
Gage took a step to the left.
“Sorry. My left. Your right.”
Nodding, he took two steps in the opposite direction. “Better?”
“Perfect,” she replied, snapping several shots.
His brows rose. “No one, two, three? Or ‘Say cheese’?”
“You can pose if you like,” Aurora told him. “But I prefer my shots to be more organic.”
