Her eyes glistened, reflecting the blue of the cloudless sky and the shimmering waters of the lake. Her hair was mussed from the wind. Though she’d tied it back, strands escaped on the boat ride across the lake. Her cheeks were tinged pink and her skin glowed, like being out in nature excited her. In faded jean cut offs and a simple black t-shirt, no makeup and hiking boots, she was beyond gorgeous.
“It’s not what you were thinking of. No yachts, no Caribbean, no high price tag, but it is far away from everything and everyone. I thought it was an excellent vacation spot, to get away when we’re overwhelmed.” He tied up the small aluminum fishing boat to one of the nearby trees. The natural bay surrounding the island gave way to a sharp bank of rocks. Once they scaled those, the trees made room for a clearing with grass, a rustic log cabin, and a small outhouse.
“It’s really…”
“Rustic? Amazing? The best thing you’ve ever seen?”
Ash laughed. “You said we were just taking me on this fishing trip. I should have known something was up when you wouldn’t tell me where we were boating off to.”
“I had to surprise you. I swear that if I told you I’d bought his tiny little island in the middle of a lake in Northern Canada with almost no habitation other than the fishing camps and lodges around, you’d think I was crazy. I almost thought you wouldn’t agree to come if I told you how remote it was. Since you are a city girl, after all.”
Ash swatted at him. “I might have been raised in the city, but we went camping when I was a kid. I can start a fire and I’m not afraid of mice or- or snakes.”
“What about the spiders?”
“Spiders, uh, I guess it depends how big they are.”
Trace laughed. He wrapped an arm around Ash’s waist and pulled her in against him. “I’ll protect you from the arachnids and all the other creatures living here, I promise. I’ll even stand right outside the outhouse when you go in if you’re scared.”
“I think I can manage.”
Trace stared down at the woman he loved. She was constantly amazing him, even after two years together. “Really, I bought this place as an investment. They aren’t developing any more islands on the lake. This was a great price, since the last owner just wanted to get out of it and needed the money. I know it’s run down. I was thinking we could fix it up together. My plan was to flip it, but maybe…”
“Maybe?”
“Maybe if you fell in love with it, we could stay here during the warm months. The summer months, some spring and fall. The fishing is excellent here. I thought it would be a great place for our families to come. We could build a guest house over there.” He pointed to the bald patch of land beside the cabin. “The island really is quite large. The bay is perfect for swimming, but there are other, natural beaches on the lake too. Like I said, the fishing is great. I thought it would be a nice place to get away from the city.”
“I’d… I’d have to quit my job.”
Trace softened. “I know. Like I said, this can be just an investment if you don’t want to come out here. I know how much your job means to you.”
“Thank you for saying that. I know you probably don’t get why I work when I don’t have to.”
“I understand perfectly why you want to work. Money doesn’t have to change a person. Weren’t you the one who said that? I know you love it at the store. I know you have friends and game nights and you love the owners. I never thought you’d quit, even after you moved in with me. I’m proud that you do something you’re passionate about.”
Ash’s eyes sparkled. Her hand slipped into his as he led her towards the cabin’s front door. “I have honestly been thinking about taking a break. I was going to tell you way before this, but I’ve really struggled with the decision. I want to focus more on writing. My books are so popular, and they’ve taken off in ways I couldn’t imagine. I- I kind of want to make that work. I really enjoy it and I just feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day.”
“Am I too demanding?”
“Certainly.” Her laughter echoed through the trees. The sun shone down overhead, and the blue sky seemed to stretch on for miles. The smell of the wilderness, the sharp tang of the trees, the earthy scent rising from the lake, the fresh crisp air- it was calming and incredible and completely infectious.
Trace laughed. “Really, though. I don’t want to be. I- I know how important your time is. I know you cut your hours back at the store so that you could write more, and I’ve really tried not to intrude on your time.”