Epilogue
CARINA
Eleven months ago, Henrik’s and my relationship was in limbo. When he returned from king crab fishing, I didn’t know where we stood, and I was fearful we were through. I’ve never been dependent on anyone, but imagining my life without Henrik is unbearable.
Looking back, I question why I withheld information from him. I’d told myself it was to protect him, but I wonder if it was really to protect myself. The truth of that realization is a hard pill to swallow.
Henrik is the first person I willingly gave all of myself to.
My trust in him is unshakeable, so why had I held back?
When it comes down to it, after all my soul searching, I have to humble myself and admit I was afraid of being hurt.
I’d had a choice to make. Open myself up to love and the possibility of being hurt or close myself off because I was too scared of what might be.
In weighing those options, it became clear that closing myself off would only leave me alone.
With this newfound outlook, I did my best to abandon my fears and fully jump into my relationship with Henrik.
Life mostly went back to normal after we’d made up. We’d had several talks about how to avoid getting into another situation like the one that almost destroyed us.
We hadn’t had much time before he headed back out for the next fishing trip.
But just like before, he’d supported and comforted me every time I voiced any concerns.
Henrik is always quick to remind me the Coast Guard commented that the Brina crew takes safety to another level.
His determination to keep himself and his crew safe combats my fears every time they attack.
Because he can’t offer me a guarantee, he always promises to do his best to come home, and he reminds me constantly how much he loves me.
When the crew had headed out for opie season a few weeks later, I’d been filled with a sense of calm as the boat left the harbor.
The thumping heart and racing thoughts were a thing of the past. I’d taken Henrik at his word when he’d promised me he’d do everything in his power to return home to me.
I’d chosen to focus on my trust in him rather than my fear of what could be.
It was as if the pain of the past had propelled us into a healthier, more mature relationship.
After opie season, Henrik had had a few months off before the ocean drug him back to work.
Instead of crabbing, he’d spent the summer tendering.
Because of the canceled crab seasons, it was how both his and Eirik’s families had survived.
Although it had been tough being away from him, I’d held on to the memories we’d made during the first part of the year.
Plus, I’d been busy with work at KFCR. A marine biologist's position had become available when a coworker’s husband was transferred off of Kodiak.
I’ll never forget the excitement I’d felt when George offered me the position. When I’d called Henrik on the Brina, breaking his cardinal rule of not using cell phones unless it was an emergency, he’d shouted so loud, Edgar had come running.
My new job has been a dream. I’m finally doing what I love, and invitations to go on future NOAA surveys look like a definite possibility.
And now, after almost four months apart, Henrik is home for a month and a half before he leaves again for the Bering Sea on the hunt for the illustrious king crab. I’ve arranged to have a few days off work, unbeknownst to Henrik.
Last night, I picked him up at the dock, and we’d barely made it out of the parking lot before his hands were on me.
Now officially living together, we sped home to have some uninterrupted alone time.
Once we arrived, clothes were abandoned in a hurry, and busied ourselves with exploring each other.
The next morning, while cuddled up to his side, Henrik strokes his fingers up and down my arm, as I tell him I took the next few days off so we could spend time together.
He clears his throat. “Since I didn’t know about your time off, I made plans with Eirik to meet at the harbormaster’s office to complete paperwork before king season. ”
I laugh. “I guess I kind of sprung that on you. How long do you think you’ll be gone?”
He reaches for my hand and threads our fingers together. “It’ll only be about an hour and I can grab lunch on my way home. Does that work?”
I nod. “Have time for a shower first?”
He laughs. “I’m sure I could make that work.”
A couple of hours later, he’s back with delicious sandwiches from our favorite local deli.
We spend the afternoon snuggled up on the couch, watching Netflix and solidifying our plans for my time off.
Henrik pulls up the tide schedule for the following morning and shows me that low tide is a little before eight.
“I thought we could go hunting for sea glass before the beaches are covered with snow.”
“That’s a great idea. I haven’t been beachcombing in forever.”
The next day, we wake early. After a leisurely time in bed, and a smoking-hot shower with Henrik on his knees, we head off to Glass Beach to hunt for sea glass.
Just as we’re about to reach the beach, Henrik pauses. “Darn it! I left my trash bag in the truck. I’ll be right back.” It’s important to us to pick up trash that washes ashore when we’re exploring the beaches we love. It’s something we’ve always done.
While he heads back to the truck, I continue on to the beach.
Before long, I’ve found a few smaller pieces of blue and green glass.
Bagging them, I hear Henrik’s boots squish in the sand as he approaches.
Assuming he’s next to me, I continue on down the beach.
The sound of the waves fills the quiet morning, only the occasional caw of a seagull interrupting the peace.
After a minute of silence, I hear Henrik softly say my name. Turning toward his voice, I gasp when I see him. Lowered to one knee, he’s smiling widely. His beautiful blue eyes are bright underneath the navy-colored skull cap he’s wearing. “Carina, my love,” he says, drawing me back to the moment.
“Yes,” I answer, stepping closer. I see that between his thumb and pointer finger, he’s holding a breathtaking ring. And I can’t look away.
“Gorgeous,” he says, breaking the spell.
I look at him, and he’s a mess of emotions.
He turns his head, looking up the shoreline.
When his gaze returns to mine, I see he’s still smiling, but he also looks panicked.
“I wanted to bring you to your favorite place to ask you the most important question I’ll ever ask.
” Butterflies take flight in my stomach and my heart races.
Lost in his eyes, I nod. “Will you marry me?” My heart skips a beat, and I notice his eyes twinkle.
Smiling widely, I answer, “Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”
Standing up, he towers over me. Bending over, he pulls me up into his arms. “I love you so much.”
Clinging to his neck, I whisper back, “I love you too.”
He lowers me to my feet and laughs. “I forgot to give you the ring. Which finger does it go on?”
I hold out my left hand and wiggle my ring finger. “This one.”
He slides the most lovely, nontraditional ring on my finger. The gemstone is cut in a square shape. It’s exquisite. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. The stone looks just like sea glass.”
“That’s why I picked it. It’s called moss agate.”
I set my hand on his chest, admiring my ring, and say, “It’s perfect. Thank you, Henrik.”
The sea glass is the perfect reminder of the effect the sea has on our relationship.
Her waves smooth and polish our imperfections over time, softening us to one another.
I know I will never stop worrying about Henrik out there at her mercy.
But much like his promise to always try his best to return home to me, I promise to love him from now until the end of time.
We know our love can survive anything.
Thank you for reading Baited, book one of the Bering Sea Crabbers series.