Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
#AlaskaLife #GhostHunting #AlaskanEating #InterestingDiscussion
S ophie inhaled deeply as she arranged silverware on the long dinner table, letting the rich aroma of roasting salmon fill her lungs. The scent mingled with fresh-baked bread and herbs, making her stomach growl in anticipation. Through the lodge’s massive windows, the September sunset painted the mountains in shades of rose and gold, casting long shadows across the dining room.
The day’s misadventures—particularly the fishing line incident—had left her muscles pleasantly tired, though her pride was still a bit bruised. At least the cozy atmosphere of the lodge was working its magic, soothing her embarrassment with warmth and good company.
“So,” Whitney said, straightening a knife that was already perfectly aligned, “I hear you’ve had quite the week. The bear encounter, scenic tours, and now fishing lessons?”
Sophie concentrated very hard on folding her napkin into a triangle, avoiding Whitney’s knowing look. “I’m just trying to experience everything Alaska has to offer. You know, for research.”
“Research. Right.” Whitney’s tone held a hint of amusement that made Sophie’s cheeks warm. “And has your research yielded any results? Besides a tangled fishing line?”
Before Sophie could defend herself, the front door swung open with a rush of crisp evening air and children’s laughter. A petite woman with vibrant red hair strode in, windblown and smiling, with three children trailing behind her like ducklings.
“Sophie,” Whitney’s voice warmed with genuine pleasure, “this is my sister-in-law, Audrey. And these are her children—Hunter, Piper, and Kade.” She gestured to each child in turn. “Audrey, this is Sophie Marlow, our guest who’s researching the aurora.”
“And getting into all sorts of trouble, from what I hear,” Audrey said, stepping forward to shake Sophie’s hand with a welcoming smile that immediately put her at ease.
“Likewise,” Sophie replied, warming to Audrey’s friendly demeanor.
Audrey turned to Whitney with a laugh. “I swear, Kade’s energy has doubled since Trace left. He thinks he’s in charge of the house now.”
“Someone has to be,” Whitney teased.
“Hunter!” Johnny’s voice carried down from the upstairs landing. “Come up! I want to show you the ghost wind tube!”
The door burst open again, this time revealing Darrow with Connor perched on his shoulders, the toddler’s giggles filling the room as his father pranced around like a horse. “Sure and how are the ladies this fine evenin’?” He swung Connor down with practiced ease, grinning at their gathering. “Not discussin’ our resident ranger, I hope?”
“Of course not,” Whitney said, though her eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Absolutely not,” Sophie agreed quickly, trying not to notice how Audrey’s eyebrows rose with interest.
“Good, because that’s my job.” Darrow’s eyes twinkled. “And anyway, he’s just outside. Did ye tell Audrey about the fishin’ incident this afternoon?”
Kade tugged at Darrow’s sleeve. “What fishing incident? Did someone fall in?”
“Almost,” Darrow winked at the boy.
Sophie groaned. “Can we pretend that never happened?”
“Never happened?” Wyatt’s voice from the doorway made her jump, her heart doing a little flip she chose to ignore. “I think it deserves to go down in lodge history. First time I’ve ever seen someone catch their own hair instead of a fish.”
“I caught a fish eventually!” She turned to face him, trying to maintain her dignity despite the heat creeping up her neck.
“You did.” His eyes were warm with amusement, and something else that made her stomach flutter.
In the kitchen, delicious smells continued to waft through the air as Nukak moved with practiced efficiency between stovetop and oven. The salmon was perfectly glazed, asparagus grilled to tender-crisp perfection, and root vegetables roasted until they caramelized. The bread Whitney pulled from the oven was golden brown, and Sophie’s mouth watered at the sight.
“You know,” Whitney said quietly as they gathered butter and honey for the bread, “I’ve seen how you light up when you talk about the aurora. About the mysteries here.”
Sophie thought about the last few days—the bear encounter, the starlit conversations, yesterday’s breathtaking views, today’s laughter by the lake. Something about Alaska had worked its way under her skin, making her feel more alive than she had in years. “Alaska does have a way of surprising you.”
The evening progressed into a lively dinner, with conversation flowing as freely as Nukak’s famous berry punch. Darrow held court at one end of the table, telling stories about his days in Scotland that had Professor Manning scribbling notes and the Parkers hanging on every word.
“So ye see,” Darrow was saying, his voice carrying easily across the table, “the Highlands have a magic all their own—aye, I should know. I spent twenty-six years as a man and two hundred and seventy more as a ghost, watching the world change around me, rooted to Culloden Moor. But the land, the mist, the very air—some things never change. There’s power in that. Magic. And here in Alaska? A great deal of it. Different, aye, but just as strong. Ye can feel it in the mountains, the endless sky, the quiet that speaks louder than words.”
“Speaking of magic,” Professor Manning leaned forward eagerly, his eyes fixed on Sophie. “What conclusions have you come to on the connection between the aurora borealis and paranormal activity?”
Sophie perked up, but before she could launch into her theories, she caught Wyatt’s look that clearly said, Really? After the fishing incident, you still have energy for ghost stories?
She rolled her eyes at him. “It’s not just ghost stories,” she said, leaning her elbows on the table. “The aurora isn’t just pretty lights in the sky. It’s energy—real, measurable energy. And there are patterns.”
Professor Manning nodded encouragingly. “Patterns?”
“I’ve been tracking paranormal reports—apparitions, time slips, those ‘did I just see someone from the past?’ moments—and they spike during geomagnetic storms. The same storms that cause the aurora. That’s not a coincidence.”
“You think the aurora is some kind of supernatural trigger?” Laura Parker asked, setting down her fork with interest.
Sophie shrugged, pushing her half-empty glass aside. “I think it’s possible that it thins the barrier between worlds. That in certain places—like Culloden Moor or some of the sites here in Alaska—there are moments when time isn’t as solid as we think. The right conditions, the right energy? Maybe people aren’t just seeing ghosts. Maybe they’re glimpsing another time altogether.”
Darrow, who had been watching with interest, raised a brow. “Aye, and ye think I just popped forward in time because of some fancy lights in the sky?”
She grinned at him. “No, I think you had some help. A certain witch, perhaps?”
Darrow huffed, but there was a gleam in his eye. “Aye, well, I won’t argue that. But magic or no, I spent near three centuries bound to that battlefield. If ye think a person can be tied to a place like that, then ye must also believe there are places where time bends, where the past lingers stronger than most.”
Sophie nodded, feeling the excitement build as someone finally seemed to understand. “That’s exactly what I believe. And if the Highlands could hold on to a man for two hundred and seventy years, who’s to say Alaska isn’t holding its own secrets?”
Wyatt, who had been listening with arms crossed, finally shook his head. “I’m going to need a lot more coffee.”
Laughter rippled through the table, but Sophie just smirked at him. “It’s science, Wyatt.”
“It’s something,” he muttered, but she caught the hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Professor Manning, still scribbling in his notebook, looked up with a thoughtful expression. “Actually, there have been studies on electromagnetic activity and paranormal experiences. The aurora is caused by solar storms interacting with Earth’s magnetic field. If ghosts—or whatever we perceive as ghosts—are energy-based, then it’s not impossible that increased geomagnetic activity could enhance supernatural occurrences.”
Wyatt groaned. “Great. Now you’ve encouraged her.”
Sophie beamed. “Told you it’s science.”
Darrow chuckled, shaking his head. “Science or magic, lass, one thing I do know—there’s power in this world that neither can fully explain. And if there’s one place that rivals the Highlands for mystery, it’s Alaska.”
Wyatt exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “You’re all impossible.”
“Oh, come on.” She nudged him. “Don’t you ever wonder?”
“Nope.”
“You live in Alaska, surrounded by glaciers and centuries-old history, and the aurora borealis and you’ve never thought about the kind of energy that might be woven into the land itself?”
His expression softened just slightly, and for a moment Sophie thought he might actually admit to wondering. But then he just shook his head, reaching for the coffee pot.
Later, as guests began drifting back to their cabins, Sophie lingered on the porch. The first stars were appearing above the mountains, and somewhere in the darkness, a wolf howled. The aurora forecast for tonight looked promising again, and her heart quickened at the possibility of another light show.
“More ghost hunting?” Wyatt joined her at the railing, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him.
Sophie smiled, not quite looking at him. “Just appreciating the view. Though if you’re offering to be my skeptical assistant again...”
“I think I’ve fulfilled my ghost hunting quota for the week.” But he didn’t move away. “Though I suppose someone needs to make sure you don’t tangle yourself in any more fishing line.”
“What would I do without you?” she teased, but her heart wasn’t quite in the sarcasm. Not when he was looking at her like that, with the stars coming out overhead and the memory of his hands in her hair still fresh from the afternoon.
The good kind of trouble, she thought, watching the last light fade from the mountains. The kind that felt more real than any ghost story.