“I really appreciate that,” Vin answered, raising a hand in farewell. “If there’s anything you need, call either me or my dad.”
“I will,” she answered, giving him a smile.
She heaved a sigh, checking out the sky. The sunset would be leaving a bright warm glow across the lake, but it would be dark in about an hour, so it was time to be on her way.
Making her way down the staircase, she stepped back onto the pontoon deck. After checking that everything was secure, she cranked up the engine and left it on idle.
Unhooking the ropes securing the bow and the stern from the dock, she used her foot to shove away, returning behind the wheel and heading west.
The island wasn’t yet visible to her eyes, but she should be able to see some kind of shadow reflecting across the lake when she approached.
She could feel it surging to life as she got closer, and shoving the engine into idle, she chanted once again, “Reveal what I cannot see.”
And closing her eyes, she stretched her arms outward, joining her hands together above her head and finally lowering them with her palms opened wide toward the island.
When she opened her eyes, she was stunned. The island was the same picturesque fantasy she’d envisioned numerous times in her mind since she’d been a child. In fact, she’s always assumed that what she’d been seeing was from a fairy tale she’d read.
The pontoon seemed to be gravitating on its own toward the island, and Ariella landed aground in a natural alcove, complete with a staircase leading up toward the house.
And, oh, what a house it was, with walkways and even a circular tower near the peak of the house. Painted in jeweled tones of amethyst, emerald and turquoise, it immediately appealed to artist in her.
It wouldn’t take her long to carry her things into the house. First, Ariella would haul the groceries inside and return for the cooler, and then she would come back for her luggage. She’d bought two gigantic lanterns at the store, not knowing what to expect.
As she expected, the doors were unlocked and she felt like she was in some kind meticulously preserved museum when she walked into the kitchen, which was suddenly filled with light.
She was falling in love with the place, even though she had no idea how she would be able to integrate modern conveniences in a home like this. She really didn’t want to spoil its beauty either.
Leaving the groceries on the monstrous oak kitchen table, she stepped back outside with the lantern and made her way back to the pontoon.
Returning to the kitchen a few minutes later, she was suddenly spooked by a pretty black cat, who was standing on the table and trying to dig into one of the grocery bags.
“Aurora. Get off that table,” Ariella said firmly.
The cat stilled, turning and studying Ariella for a long hard moment. And then the cat was somehow in her arms, purring like crazy while rubbing her face against Ariella’s.
“How did I know your name?” Ariella said softly, in wonder.
She hugged the cat tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.
“I suppose you’re hungry? I guess I know now why I bought the cat food.”
She glanced on the floor, and sure enough, there was an empty bowl for food.
And water. She’d brought some bottled, although the cabin appeared to have a pump inside with a sink. She imagined that this home was filled with all the modern conveniences available at the time.
She filled Aurora’s bowl with food, and she ate like she’d been starving.
“Maybe she had,” Ariella murmured, rubbing Aurora affectionately on her head. “I’ll be back soon. I need to get the rest of my luggage.”
And glancing around, Ariella waved her hand, bringing light into the entire house.
“I’ll worry about modern conveniences tomorrow, because I’m going to have to have them,” she muttered.
Aurora stopped eating long enough to meow, obviously agreeing.
* * *
A few hours later, Ariella was getting ready for bed in a room upstairs, which seemed to be the master bedroom and appeared to be tailored just for her. The walkway was outside of the window and she taken a long look at the moon and the stars above before deciding to get some sleep.
Modernizing appeared like it would be a massive undertaking, so she’d be better able to make some decisions in the morning.
It was funny how the bedding appeared to be fresh and the entire house appeared as if a cleaning crew had just finished up inside.
As Ariella dozed off, she felt Aurora’s warmth as she nestled near her legs.
“Goodnight, Aurora,” she murmured as the cat purred louder.
Chapter Seven
When Birch woke the following morning, something made him search for a map of Crystal Rock on his phone right away.
He smiled widely because the island was on the map. He knew with certainty that it was time for him to travel to the island and figure out why he was supposed to be there.
Birch peeked into the kitchen. It was pretty early, and Gramps wasn’t awake, so he might as well get some coffee started and make a few quick calls.
After the coffee was brewing, Birch took a quick shower and got dressed, pouring himself coffee when he returned to the kitchen.
First, he would check online with a couple local real estate offices.
He made a few calls until he reached a realtor he’d been using who actually had some useful information about the island.
“No, I’m sorry it’s not for sale, Birch. It’s been owned by the Cappella family for hundreds of years. In fact, someone even called in already this morning, discussing the issues they were having with electricity on the island. They’re planning on having a generator installed during the next few days.”
“Thanks for all the information, Pam,” Birch answered.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to find a place for you, yet.”
“We’ll get it right, one of these days,” he answered, disconnecting the phone.
He wanted that island, he decided. There was just something about the place that felt like home. But the next best thing he could think of was living there and thinking about the years he’d worked in construction both in college and undercover, he had an idea about how he would be able to do it.
Gramps walked into the kitchen wearing his robe and rubbing his eyes. “You must have been up pretty early. I thought I heard you on the phone. What’s going on?”
“The island. It’s on the map.”
Gramps gave him a thoughtful look. “And that would mean?”
Birch shrugged. “I have this feeling in my gut that I’m supposed to be living there.”
“How are you going to be able to do that? I heard that someone was going to be living there, and she prefers her privacy.”
Birch smiled wryly. “I’m not quite sure, since I’ve never met the woman yet. But I heard through my realtor that’s she trying to have electricity installed. And you know what that means?”
Gramps held up the coffee he’d poured and smiled. “Wiring, plumbing and construction. Are you still certified?”
“I am. Although I’ll have to check the local statutes.”
Gramps sat at the table. “So, you’re going to be offering your services?”
Birch snorted. “Hardly. I want her to ask me.”