Page 49 of Under the Northern Lights
“Be sure to burn the Northern Candlelights Collection ones first,” Sidney warned. “In case you want more. We’re only offering them for a limited time.”
“I think it should be a year-round selection,” Gage suggested. “The marketing is spot on for this area.”
Sidney beamed with pride. “I suppose that’s something Mom and I should take into consideration.”
If Aurora got this excited over the candles, he had to imagine some of the women who come to the retreat might as well. Men, too, for that matter, because they even carried a line of candles geared more toward men’s tastes. It would be another way to offer more to their retreat guests while helping another local business in the process.
Gage looked at Sidney. “I’ll be in touch about ordering some of your candles for the retreat.”
“Really?” she said excitedly.
He nodded.
“Gage, that would be great. Just let us know what you need and when you need it.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
Turning back to Aurora, Sidney said, “I’ll need to get your information for shipping. After that, we’ll get you checked out.”
Aurora set the candle she’d been sniffing back on the shelf and crossed the room to where Sidney waited. After giving Sidney her mailing information in Seattle, Aurora placed her order, including some candles for her mother and sister.
After saying their goodbyes, Gage opened the door for Aurora as they stepped outside. “If I had known how happy it would make you to go into a candle store, I would have brought you here that day you came sloshing into Glady’s place in your adorable bright yellow duck poncho.”
Aurora rolled her eyes. “Must you continue to remind me about that mostly embarrassing moment?”
“I must,” he replied with a grin. “It was one of the most memorable moments of my life.”
“Of your life?” she repeated as they started down the sidewalk toward Glady’s.
“Without a doubt. It’s the day I met you.”
That simple statement touched her more than he could ever know. Embarrassed by the unexpected rush of tears that threatened to pool in her eyes, she looked away. “I’m glad I was able to create a memorable moment for you.”
“The first of many since your arrival,” he admitted with a chuckle.
“Sorry for taking so long in the candle shop,” she said, wanting to talk about something other than the memories they’d shared. Memories she’d soon be taking with her when she returned to Seattle.
“Don’t be sorry,” he told her. “It made you happy being in there.”
“But it took a lot of time. You still need to pick up your order at the hardware store, and Reed’s waiting for you to get back to help him with the landscape lighting.”
“It just gives me an excuse to bring you back to town again. Check out a few more stores, and we’ll come back another day to visit with Glady.”
Aurora nodded. “If you’re sure.”
He nodded. “I’m sure.”
“It did make me happy,” she confided. “I didn’t think about my canceled wedding even once while I was in there.”
“Glad to hear it.” Even more glad that her ex hadn’t been in Aurora’s thoughts that afternoon. Gage suddenly found himself wondering if he had been hers, because Aurora had definitely taken over his thoughts.
CHAPTER TEN
“Did you get the work done you needed to see to this morning?” Gage asked from beneath the lowered hood of his raincoat when Aurora opened the door of her cabin.
She laughed. “You’re starting to sound like me. Come on in out of that rain.” She opened the door wider and then moved aside.
Gage shoved back his hood and then stepped into the cabin, stopping just inside the threshold. Water from his wet raincoat and boots sluiced off onto the rubberized entrance mat. He looked down with a frown. “Probably not the best idea to have come inside. I should have stayed out on the porch.”
