Chapter 39
Ella woke up next to Leif in her bed at Ringpynten.
She lay on her side, her cheek resting on his chest, listening to the steadiness of his heart.
She was glad she decided to stay in Lyng?r for one more night.
They had laughed together and shared long, lingering kisses beneath the shimmering sunset.
Afterward, they made love beneath the moon and stars.
She wished they could stay in bed all day, but she had to finish packing before Leif drove her to TORP Sandefjord Airport in a few hours.
The thought of leaving him ripped her apart. He made her feel cherished, talented, smart, and beautiful. She lifted her chin, her eyes savoring his face—thick lashes, slanted cheekbones, strong jaw. Her heart would store what her memory might forget.
She kissed his mouth, and he opened his eyes. For a moment they looked at each other, until he reached out and gently stroked her cheek.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this content,” he said as he drew her in for a kiss.
· · ·
Ella set her coffee mug on the dock before giving Leif a hug. “See you in a few hours. One thirty?”
“Yes,” he said. “That should give us plenty of time to get to the airport. Are you still sure you want to sell it?”
Her gaze followed his to the cottage. The memories she had made while staying there had taken root in her heart.
The sparkling windows. The kinship she felt for Mia and Inger when they helped her clean up the fish mess.
Leif teaching her to whittle and telling her to trust herself.
She loved how much they laughed together and bonded over their passion for their artwork.
And then last night, the wonderful fondue dinner, and being in his arms beneath the moon.
Her heart pleaded with her to keep the cottage, stay, and be with Leif, but she’d made up her mind, and her reasons were good ones: She didn’t want Erik in her life, and she couldn’t jeopardize Little Bird.
“Yes, I’m sure, but I still wish I didn’t have to go.” Her throat and chest ached at the thought of leaving him.
Leif gestured at the waters just off Ringpynten.
“This is one of my favorite fishing spots, and I’ll never be able to go there again without missing you.
And this patio—I’ll forever remember you sitting there, wearing your cowboy hat and that yellow dress, my Sunna.
” He kissed her slowly at first, but it quickly turned hot.
She reached for his hand and considered taking him back to her bedroom one last time, but a catcall came from the channel, and she let go of him.
It was Axel, steering his wooden skiff toward her dock. He lifted his hand in the air, and his white teeth flashed even from that distance. He throttled down the engine and put it into neutral. Drifting up next to Leif’s boat, Skadi, he leaned over and caught her railing.
“A bunch of us are meeting at the Propeller tonight. You two have to come.”
“I wish I could, but I’m leaving today,” she said. She was sure that the smile she offered him didn’t reach her eyes.
“You’re leaving? That’s awful news!” Axel frowned, looking from one of them to the other.
“But she doesn’t have a ticket yet,” Leif said. He pulled Ella close again before kissing her cheek.
“No I don’t, but I’m sure it won’t be a problem booking a flight at the airport. And I don’t care about the number of layovers; I’ll take what they can give me.”
“Great!” Axel said. “Then you can come tonight—we’ll make it a going-away party.”
“Oh, come on, you guys, don’t do this to me.” To avert her eyes, Ella scooped up an empty mussel shell from the dock and studied it.
Axel shook his head, tsk-tsking. “You mean you’re going to deny us the opportunity to give you a proper send-off? Don’t you care about us at all? Please, say you’ll come.” He put on an exaggeratedly sad face and blinked at her.
Leif cut in. “That face always gets him what he wants. No one can say no to those puppy-dog eyes.”
Ella held up the shell. “Hey, check this out—see the dark-violet shimmer inside here? I love it! I need to find a thread to match.”
The two men laughed at her weak attempt to change the subject. “You’re a funny bird, and that’s a good thing,” Axel said. “This place won’t be the same without you.”
“Will Erik be there tonight?” Leif crossed his arms and got serious.
“I doubt it.” Axel grimaced. “He dropped by Inger’s yesterday and told her the truth about the accident.
Inger wasn’t happy and I wasn’t either. To think he’s been lying to you all these years .
. . to us, to the village?” He turned to Ella and said kindly, “I can’t believe what he did to your cottage.
It’s terrible and seems way out of character .
. . bizarre, not in his right head, but that’s no excuse. Is that why you’re leaving us?”
“No, it’s not that at all. I need to get back to my life in Boulder, to my store.” As Ella said this, she tucked her chin so that her hair fell over her face, giving herself a moment to push away her grief over leaving.
“Right, I have to head to work myself,” Axel said. He let go of the railing and gave them both a firm look as he pointed at each in turn. “I expect to see you two tonight. Don’t disappoint me.” He backed the boat into the channel.
“Is Axel always that persistent?” Ella said and squinted her eyes, amused.
“Yep,” Leif said. “How do you think he got Inger to go out with him?” Ella laughed and he wrapped his arms around her. “One final memory together, tonight?”
Swallows flew low over the deep-blue water. “I love their little red toothpick legs,” Ella said.
“They’re chasing insects. That means tomorrow will be sunny. And please don’t change the subject.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, then gave her a wry smile and asked very clearly, “Will you come with me to the gathering?”
Ella put her head down, closed her eyes, and shook her head.
“What about Hilda?” Leif asked.
“I’m going to take her back with me. Since Sara wasn’t buried, I can’t reunite them, and I think I’d like her with me anyhow.
” She picked at her nails. “Listen, I just need to go. I’m never going to believe in myself if I keep putting off going home.
My business, my dream, is in Boulder. I can’t blow this amazing opportunity—and who am I, if not a clothing designer?
It’s my passion, my purpose, and I can’t see myself doing anything else, ever.
” He nodded solemnly and she reached for his hand.
“Of course I want to stay. I love how I can be myself around you. I want to hold you and watch you sleep. I’d love to swim with you again and create some more happy moments whittling together in front of your fireplace.
But I’ve only known you for two weeks. Two nearly perfect weeks, but still. I can’t stay.”
“I’ve never met anyone like you. And if I’m honest, I’m afraid I never will again.
” For a moment Leif looked sad, but then he pulled her close and his eyes brightened.
“Now that you’re staying an extra night, there’s another special place I would love to show you.
Let’s make the most of today and tonight! What do you say?”
Her heart begged her to say yes, to be with this amazing man one more day, and so she nodded at him. “OK.”