Chapter 23 Grey
GREY
On the third and final leg of the journey, I break up the nervous quiet of what feels like a first date, skipping between Everly and me, by telling her all about where I grew up and Isle Royale.
“It’s a National Park now, but my family has owned a cabin there for over a hundred years and we were grandfathered in. No pun intended. Generally, no one lives there year-round because it’s so remote, but come summer, it’s the most beautiful place in the world.”
I lean over her, pointing out the window.
“That’s Lake Superior. The clearest water you’ll ever see surrounds the island.
There are also moose, coyotes, wolves, and foxes.
Lots of hikes, fishing, and swimming, if you’re part polar bear.
” I can’t help but talk about my home with affection.
“Every summer, my family would go there with my dad flying in and out on the seaplane.”
“Are you part polar bear?” Everly asks.
Her breath is warm on my neck as we both peer out the window.
“You tell me. I thought you had me pegged as a Viking.”
Her eyes twinkle.
The stirring in me turns to a sizzle. Everly ignited a fire inside. The sun finally rose in my life and brought with it this unpredictable, adventurous, confident woman whom I can’t get enough of. A woman who also happens to be my wife.
It can’t be helped. My lips lift into a lopsided smile that hasn’t seen the light of day in far too long.
“I like the looks of that.”
“I like the looks of you,” I whisper.
Are we flirting?
By the rosy glow of her cheeks and the heat in my veins, I’d say that yes, yes, we are indeed.
After landing, we take the ferry boat to Rock Harbor on the eastern end of the island so Everly can get the full experience of the pristine wilderness.
After disembarking, I steep in the relative silence.
A deep relaxation washes over me. The surrounding lake dampens my inner fire—and not the one Everly stoked.
In addition to being beautiful, she’s adorable as she takes in our surroundings with wide, wonder-filled eyes.
“It’s beautiful here,” Everly says. “But, um, no cars?”
“Nothing with wheels other than a wheelchair or a wagon is allowed on the island.”
“That explains why the air smells so fresh.”
I know the island’s topography like the back of my hand and start walking toward the trail leading to the cabin.
Everly catches up. “What about our luggage, food, necessities, and that kind of thing? I spent the second half of the winter in the Upper Peninsula with my friend Heidi, so I’m not exactly a stranger to remote areas, but, um, I don’t know how to hunt or forage.”
My stride is long, and I’m a step ahead, but I can hardly contain my excitement at sharing this place with Everly. “I had a seaplane drop all of our stuff at the cabin.”
“Ah. So, at least we won’t be camping.”
“Not at all.”
“It just seems like we’re really far away from everything.”
“That’s the idea.”
“How about, um, I don’t know, modern conveniences, newspaper at the corner store, coffee from a cafe, chocolate cake at the bakery?”
“My birthday is in a couple of weeks and that sounds pretty good, but you don’t have to worry. If you want chocolate cake or caviar, just let me know.”
She wrinkles her nose. “I’ll stick to cookie dough.”
Standing over Everly, I shade her from the sun. Still, her eyes are bright as she looks up at me.
“I come here to regroup. After everything, I thought you might need to do the same,” I say.
During the twenty-minute walk to the cabin, the tension in my shoulders and jaw that I’ve carried since the incident with Todd dissolves with each step.
The sloped roof of the stone and rough timber multi-level “cabin” comes into view.
Everly stops short.
“Welcome home,” I say, sweeping my hand in the direction of what had once been a ramshackle hunting cabin that I transformed into a million-dollar lodge.
Her mouth hangs open. “It’s amazing. Not what I was expecting at all.”
We continue to walk down the path, nearing the structure consisting of mostly windows on the front, a wide deck in the back overlooking the lake, and custom stonework on the lower half.
“After roughing it so long, I spent the last handful of years slowly making improvements.” I bring my finger to my lips.
“Shhh. I didn’t officially get a building permit, just had seaplanes bring in shipments and materials, had workers camp out for the summer, and labored alongside them.
It’s one-hundred percent eco-friendly and self-sustaining. ”
“It’s exquisite,” she says as we step inside.
I draw a deep breath and stretch my arms. “Make yourself at home. I’ll give you a quick tour.”
I guide Everly through the lower level with a game room, movie theater, and a fireplace.
She points. “I thought you said the island is closed during the winter.”
“Closed to visitors. If I ever have the urge, I can fly in. Special privileges. I figured a fireplace down here would be good for after ice skating, fishing, and things like that.”
“I haven’t skated in far too long.”
“Maybe we can do something about that,” I say as we head up the stairs.
The main level has an open floor plan with the kitchen and living area spanning much of the space, along with a long table for dining and a grand hearth that reaches the vaulted ceiling. Everything is wood, granite, and river stone.
I lead us up the staircase and to the bedrooms.
She pauses, getting the bird’s-eye view from the landing. “Spectacular. I have to admit, I envisioned a hut befitting a Viking with a hole in the ground filled with your plunder.”
I make a battle cry and in one swift motion, pick Everly up, cradling her in my arms, and crash down the hall.
She laughs and mock-pounds me on the chest before I carefully deposit her on the floor of an enormous bedroom.
As she lowers to her feet, our eyes catch for one long, heart-pounding moment. Her lips part as though she’s going to say something. But words don’t come. Not from her or me. Instead, something else pulses between us. I can feel it along with my desire to protect her.
Everly’s shoulders drop on an exhale. She eyes her suitcase, then the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake, and finally, the king-sized bed.
“See? The airline didn’t lose your baggage.” I wink.
“That’s a relief. If they did, I doubt they’d deliver my stuff all the way out here.
And it would’ve been a shame to have lost the new clothes I bought to mix in with Heidi’s hand-me-downs.
Then again, I guess I don’t have to worry about people wondering why I was dressed like a preteen since we’re in the middle of nowhere. ”
“And there I thought you were just a little bit manic pixie dream girl.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“Me neither.” I chuckle, recalling a term I heard one of the guys use.
“But you said, dream girl.”
“Did I? Enjoy your stay, Mrs. Adams. If there’s anything I can get you, please let me know.” I wink.
As I pad down the hall, I’m pretty sure she threw herself on the bed with a bounce and let out a happy squeal.
With a little skip to my step, instead of my usual buffalo stomp, I realize that I’ll do anything for her. But what is she going to think about the situation that’s about to unfurl?
Once downstairs in the kitchen, my domain, my stomach growls like a true Viking and I get to work.
After marinating chicken thighs, I toss together a salad with spinach, strawberries, onions, and poppyseed dressing.
Every summer, I have food deliveries made to compensate for what I don’t grow, but this is the first time I’ll be cooking for more than just myself.
A little while later, Everly appears wearing a white sundress with little pink flowers and looking refreshed.
I pour us each a glass of sparkling water with lemon. “Snacks on the kitchen island and dinner prep is almost done.”
She strolls through the space to the bookshelves—they’re taller than me and packed full.
“Read much? This is impressive. You even have your books nicely arranged and backlit.”
“The winters are long up here. Got into the reading habit young.” I have a few favorites, reading, gardening, football, my son...and now Everly too.
“What you do with your spare time is very telling of your character.”
“Agreed. Other than football, I enjoy long walks on the beach, watching the sunset, and growing and preparing food.” I rinse some of the fruit we’ll have with dessert later.
“You’re not kidding, are you?”
The corner of my lip tickles toward a smile. “Nope. I also like the quiet, nature...”
“It’s quite the contrast to your Bruisers persona. It is very peaceful here, and for the most part, you’re a man of few words.”
“Wasn’t always. Bran and I used to carry on well into the night, but it didn’t matter because there’s no one around here for miles. No one to file a noise complaint. It was the only time our mother didn’t have to tell us to keep it down.” I close in on a smile at the memory.
“Where’s your brother now? Will he be visiting too?” Everly asks.
My mind shudders like windows rattling in a storm. That’s a question I can’t answer.
But someone knocks on the door. I am well aware that when I open it, my life will change forever.
I try to take a deep breath and it sticks. I instantly regret not telling Everly my whole story. Clouds roll in across what so briefly felt like a blue-sky day.
“Ready to play house?” I mean for it to sound lighthearted, but my tone is more in the vein of a dangerous gentleman.
“Is that the neighbor? Do you want me to pretend we’re actually a happily married couple?” There she goes with that easy laugh.
“Something like that.”
Elsie, laden with bags, nearly tips over as the blond little kid that I still can’t believe is a real boy rushes toward me.
“Pappa!” he calls.
I quickly unburden Elsie, then crouch down and open my arms for a toddler tackle. He’s a bit sweaty and sticky after the long trip, but I love him all the more for it.
“How’s my favorite little man doing?”
He answers in Norwegian, telling me he’s hungry and then wiggles out of my arms.
“Me too.” I scoop him up and then greet Elsie with a half-hug.
Also, in Norwegian, she asks how I’m doing.
“You know I have the vocabulary of a three-year-old, so if you two keep this up, soon I won’t understand you.”
She laughs and goes about organizing the bags, telling me what’s where, which I only half hear because Everly stands at the foot of the stairs, eyes bulging.
“Everly, meet Sonny.” He waves at her and drives his little toy car across my shoulder.
“You’re a father?”
I grunt.
“A single father?” Eyebrows raised, she glances at Elsie.
“Yes, a single father. Forgive me, Everly, meet Elsie.”
“Hello, it’s lovely to meet you,” Elsie says in accented English.
“Likewise.” Everly swallows thickly but extends her hand all the same.
Confusion streaks Everly’s features. “Are you—were you—?”
Elsie smiles because she’s likely not following, but I just realized what this must look like. “Elsie Olmsted is my cousin.”
Everly presses her hand to her chest and lets out a breath. “Oh, I understand. Actually, I don’t, but—never mind.”
“She was taking care of Sonny while I was away.”
“So she’s not your wife, er, ex-wife?”
Elsie and I exchange a glance and then she chuckles. “No, definitely not.”
“But he’s your son?” she asks, gesturing to the little boy who looks strikingly like me.
I nod as I pour Elsie something to drink and get a snack for Sonny.
“Does that mean I’m a stepmom?” Everly’s voice is barely above a whisper as confusion flickers across her features.
“It would appear that way.” My tone is decisive, yet a little hopeful that this is the life that she also wants.