Page 63 of Under the Northern Lights
Gage’s sister nodded. “Night, all.”
“Night, Julia,” Aurora managed, with a hiccupping sob.
“Night,” Gage said, his focus centered on the woman he held in his arms. He hated seeing Aurora hurting. Outwardly, she’d been happy, easygoing, and fun-loving, but she was here during what should have been her honeymoon. That had to stir up a lot of emotions. Emotions made even more raw when she learned her sister was starting the family Aurora had no doubt been hoping for.
Resting his chin on the top of her head, Gage said, “You are going to be the best aunt.”
She laughed. That was followed by a soft sniffle. “I intend to be.” Wiping her eyes, she turned to look up at him. “I’m soembarrassed for getting all emotional and chasing your sister away.”
“Don’t be,” he said as he looked down into her dark, moisture-filled eyes. “And thank you for including her in our marshmallow roasting. I know it meant a lot to her.”
“I enjoy spending time with your sister,” Aurora replied.
“Speaking of marshmallows, you have some on your face.”
“I do?” she said, hand coming to her face. “Where?”
He smiled. “It’s only a speck of marshmallow. Right here,” he said, brushing the side of his thumb along the corner of her mouth.
“Is that all?” she asked, her teary gaze lowering to his mouth.
“Maybe a little bit more,” he said, running his thumb in a tender path across her lower lip.
“Gage,” she said softly.
“Gage ...” his father called out.
Aurora and Gage separated. “Over here,” he replied.
“Can I get you to lend me and Reed a hand for a moment?”
Frowning, Gage looked at Aurora.
“It’s okay,” she said. “I should be getting back to my cabin anyway. You have guests to fly out tomorrow.”
“You do realize I’m not about to let you walk back to your cabin alone? Especially when you’re feeling out of sorts.”
“Gage,” she argued with a frown.
“Aurora, humor me,” he said. “I’m trying to be a good host.”
She smiled. “You’re an above-and-beyond host.
“Glad to hear you’ve been satisfied with your stay here so far,” he told her with a grin. “But seriously, a lot of our bookings come by word of mouth. As Dad likes to say, ‘A happy guest brings the rest.’”
“That’s really good. And so true,” she replied. “It’s the same in my business. If people are satisfied with what you have to offer them, they tell other prospective clients. I intend to spreadthe word about Living the Good Life Fishing Retreat when I get home.”
“Any bit of good word put out there is appreciated,” he told her. Although he wasn’t certain the friends she’d spoken to him about were the remote retreat in Alaska type. But her offering to promote his family’s business in any way when she had so many other things on her plate was really thoughtful.
“Come on in and wait by the fireplace,” Gage said. “I’ll go see what Dad needs me for, and then I’ll walk you back to your cabin.”
“I’m beginning to think I should have taken a room at the lodge,” she said as they started for the door. “Then you wouldn’t have felt the need to escort me back and forth my entire stay here.”
“And miss out on all the stimulating conversation we’ve shared during those walks?” he teased with a grin. “Not to mention the free mud bath.”
Aurora’s laughter returned full force, letting Gage know he had accomplished what he set out to do—put that happy light back in her beautiful brown eyes.
CHAPTER TWELVE
