Page 43 of Under the Northern Lights
“I figured as much,” he replied with a grin as he watched her slip back into professional photographer mode. This was definitely her life’s passion, he decided. And she was good at it. Really good. “I looked you up online.”
Lowering the camera, she glanced his way. “What?”
“Not in a creepy stalker kind of way, I promise. I wanted to know more about your photographic work, so I researched you last night.”
“So you found out about my past jail sentences?”
His eyes widened in surprise. “Uh, no, that didn’t come up.”
Aurora giggled softly. “You should see the look on your face.”
He was too busy looking at hers.
“In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I was only kidding about my having done jail time.”
“I would be shocked if you had,” he told her. “You don’t seem the troubled type. What I did learn was that you have been more than a little humble when talking about your career. I was very impressed by all your achievements. The array of awards you’ve received for your pictures. Not to mention having several of your photographs picked up by various magazines.”
A blush deepened the color in her already weather-pinkened cheeks. “Thank you. I’m pretty impressed by your career choice too. I could never fly a plane.”
“Sure, you could.”
She shook her head. “Not safely. My attention would be too distracted by all the photographic opportunities around and below me.”
“Okay, so we leave the flying to me.”
A drop of rain landed on the tip of Aurora’s nose. She pushed upright. “I think the rain’s here.”
“I think you’re right,” Gage said, jumping to his feet. “Take care of your camera. I’ll clean up.” He hurried to scoop up their plates and the empty containers his mother had sent their food in as the rain began to fall harder.
Aurora packed her camera away and quickly covered it with her raincoat. Then she stood and grabbed for the basket, opening its lid for Gage.
“Go get in the UTV,” he told her as he removed it from her grasp. “You can put your camera bag in the waterproof storage box in the back of the vehicle.”
“No need. I have it safely tucked away under my raincoat,” she told him as she bent to gather up the picnic blanket his mother had so wisely insisted they bring with them.
The rain was coming down harder now.
“Aurora, stop folding it. Just bundle it up and let’s go,” he told her. “You’re getting soaked.”
“Better me than my camera,” she replied with a smile as rain streamed down her face.
Gage didn’t miss the slight shiver that followed her words. Guilt filled him. “I should have suggested we pack up as soon as we were done eating,” he said with a frown as they returned to the utility vehicle. “I’ve lived here long enough to know that rain was imminent.” But when she’d pulled out her camera and stretched out across the blanket to take pictures of the sky, he couldn’t think of anything except how beautiful Aurora looked when she was caught up in her moment of creativity.
They ran together for the cover of the ash tree and the awaiting vehicle. She climbed into her seat while he placed the basket on the floor in front of the rear seats.
Gage grabbed for his raincoat and held it out to her. “Put this on. It’ll help keep you warm while we drive back.” Her long hair was clinging to her cheeks in wet waves, and her coat and jeans were every bit as rain-soaked as his own, so he knew the chill it brought along with it.
“You need it,” she countered with a worried frown. “I’ll put mine on and then shove my camera bag underneath it.”
“Keep your camera covered and use mine. This coat is weatherproof, so a raincoat for me isn’t really necessary,” he told her. Reaching down, Gage started the engine.
“Sorry the rain cut our day short,” he said as they drove out from under the broad canopy of the ash tree and headed across the meadow they had picnicked in.
“It’s a good thing I’m staying for a week,” she reminded him with a smile. “There might be time to try this again.”
“Rest assured,” he told her. His mom had been right. There was nothing like a picnic to brighten up your day. Even when the rain was coming down.
CHAPTER NINE
