I woke to a headache, a dry mouth, and arms that were empty of Ella.
An unacceptable state of being.
With a groan I swung my legs over the bed, rubbing a hand across my face, grimacing as the late afternoon sun hit me right in the eyes.
‘—and then he threw up. All over his date. It was spectacular.’
My brother’s voice floated down the hall, Ella’s laughter tumbling after it.
What the…?
I pushed up, staggering a little as I attempted to shake off the sleep haze.
I’d been discharged from the hospital two days before, and ordered to keep up the antibiotics and painkillers for another week. Despite my protests, Ella insisted I rest—mandating that I take an afternoon nap each day.
That it tended to end with a little afternoon delight was an added incentive.
Stumbling down the hall, my brain still a little foggy, I went in search of the woman who drove me crazy.
‘So tell me about Gunnar at—’
‘No,’ I interrupted, leaning against the door jamb. ‘I think Erik’s told you quite enough already.’
Ella and Erik’s necks twisted, their expressions mirrors of amusement as they smiled at me from their place at the kitchen island.
‘Welcome back to the world of the living.’ Erik pointed his beer bottle at me. ‘How are you feeling today?’
I scrubbed a hand over my face. ‘Did Ma ask you to check in on me?’
He snorted. ‘You need to ask? She expects a phone call and proof of life selfie if you want to prevent her from driving all night to get here.’
I clapped him on the shoulder as I moved past him, headed for my girl.
‘Hey, Valkyrie.’ I leaned down, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss.
She sighed, her body melting into mine, her weight a warm embrace against my aching muscles.
‘Feeling better?’ she asked, reaching a hand up to brush fingers against my forehead.
‘Kiss me again and I’ll tell you.’
Behind us, Erik made a choking, gagging sound.
‘Ignore him,’ I told Ella. ‘He doesn’t appreciate romance or love.’
‘More like I don’t appreciate cheap one-lines,’ Erik muttered.
‘Says the man who used a one-liner in that bar in Tokyo.’
Ella giggled as Erik snagged her hand, pulling her away from me. ‘You picked the wrong brother. I’m much smoother.’
‘Yeah, he is.’ I agreed, reaching out to flick his ear. ‘He waxes. Smooth as a baby all over.’
Ella’s gaze danced between us, her amusement clear. ‘Do I need to separate you two?’
‘Only about fifty percent of the time.’ Erik gave me a once-over. ‘You’re better today.’
‘I am.’ I ran a hand over the bandage, gratified that the site of my injury seemed less tender. ‘Just a bump. No biggie.’ I took a seat on the barstool beside my woman. ‘What have you been up to?’
Erik and Ella exchanged a glance.
‘Well, the rescue has wrapped up,’ Erik answered, selecting a chip from the packet Ella had laid out. ‘Emergency services will be handing over to the salvage and recovery crews tonight.’
‘That’s good.’ I reached for his beer, yelping when Ella slapped my hand.
‘No alcohol until you get the okay.’ She handed me a glass of water. ‘Drink this.’
‘Spoilsport.’ I took the water with a sigh.
Erik watched us, his expression shuttered.
‘What?’ I asked him.
‘You up for an excursion?’
I shrugged. ‘Probably.’
‘Nowhere too strenuous,’ Ella ordered, checking my bandage. We don’t want a relapse.’
Erik chuckled. ‘I was thinking we could check out the marina, but seeing Ella abuse you is also pretty fun.’
I raised an eyebrow. ‘The marina?’
‘Sure. See the sights, work out what this town has to offer.’
I cocked an eyebrow. ‘Great coastline, a decent restaurant, and little else I think is the answer.’
Ella snorted.
‘Am I wrong?’ I asked, genuinely interested in her answer.
‘So wrong.’ She left the room only to return a few minutes later with a pile of boxes.
‘Here.’ She dumped them on the counter. ‘Here are all the things Capricorn Cove has to offer.’
I tugged the lid off one of the boxes to find a treasure trove of family photos, keepsakes, albums, and memorabilia.
‘What is this?’ I asked, lifting one of the photos to the light for a better look.
‘My childhood, my history—the history of Capricorn Cove.’
‘You have skiing here?’ Erik asked, flipping the photo so I could see a young Ella in her skis.
‘Yep. The fields are an hour and a half outside of town.’ She rummaged in one of the boxes to pull a battered pamphlet free. ‘See?’
She spread it on the counter, showing us a map of the area.
To the south—of course—lay the ocean, the coastline a mix of swim beaches, protected coves, and rock pools. Islands dotted the area, each noted for its various fauna, flora, or landscape.
‘There’s a turtle recovery centre just inside the national park,’ she said, her finger tracing across the worn paper. ‘Capricorn Cove National Park—also known by its traditional name as Kominah National Park—has everything you could want for summer and winter. There’s a campground, caves, hiking, and Lover’s Lake which has an old lodge and cabins.’ Her finger followed one of the roads. ‘Outside of the park we have the agriculture areas—lots of farm-to-table options and a few wineries and microbreweries which are just starting up.’
‘And the skiing?’ Erik asked, crowding closer.
‘Over in the Juniper Ranges.’ She tapped the mountains to the east of the map. ‘Gorgeous year-round but especially so during ski season.’
‘You guys have a college here?’ I asked, noting the icon on the map.
‘Ravenburn College,’ Ella confirmed. ‘They specialize in marine and agriculture studies, literature and business.’ Her lips quirked. ‘See? We’re not a completely useless town.’
Our gazes met, hers shuttered, mine contrite.
‘Ella, I owe you an apology.’
‘Oh, this ought to be good,’ Erik chortled.
I ignored my idiot brother, focusing on the woman I loved. ‘I made assumptions about this town before I really understood it. You were right. I shouldn’t have assumed our only option was to move to the Cape. I shouldn’t have made decisions for both of us.’
‘And he’s sorry for being a pigheaded ass,’ Erik added. ‘And not asking you what you wanted.’
‘And for—that.’ I brushed my hand over her cheek. ‘I’m sorry, Ella.’
‘Thank you for your apology and for acknowledging your fault.’ The shuttered look in her eyes faded. ‘You’re forgiven.’
She glanced back down at the map. ‘But, you’re also right. We have limited job offerings—the papermill, the remaining commercial fishing co-op, some emergency services, teaching, or a tourist job that may or may not pay anything.’ She blew out a breath. ‘Unless you’re willing to invest in the town, the job offerings are slim. I just can’t see how you’d be happy here.’
‘So, about that,’ Erik interrupted, tapping his fingers on the counter. ‘I may have an idea.’
‘Really?’ I asked skeptically. ‘You?’
He flicked me the bird. ‘Yes, you fucker. I am capable of thought.’ He nodded at the map. ‘Ella and you are both right. This town isn’t capitalizing on the tourist market. Which is why I spoke to Rick.’
I frowned. ‘Rick? Who’s Rick?’
‘He owns the marina,’ Ella answered, her expression thoughtful. ‘He’s been trying to sell it for the last few years. Wants to move up to the main island where his grandkids live.’
Erik nodded. ‘That’s the one.
I scratched my chin. ‘You know, that isn’t a bad idea.’
Erik rolled his eyes. ‘Thanks for the crumbs from your table.’
‘It’d be a smart investment. You’ve got regulars and tourists. Give the marina an overhaul, add a few upgrades, target a few businesses to bring them in as a starter.’ My mind raced. ‘It’s got merit.’
‘Not to mention,’ Erik added. ‘We could expand up here and capture trade from the northern islands.’
Ella glanced from Erik to me and back. ‘I’m sorry, what’s happening?’
‘We’ve been talking about expanding the business,’ I answered.
‘But real estate in the Cape is crazy expensive.’ Erik waved his hands around. ‘So why not here? As everyone keeps saying, this place could be a gold mine—if only someone invested in it.’
Ella stared at me. ‘You could move your business here?’
I exchanged a look with Erik. ‘Maybe,’ I admitted. ‘We’d have to find workshop space and crunch the numbers but—’
‘But it’s possible,’ Erik agreed.
I watched a million emotions play across her face. ‘Ella, you okay?’
‘You’d do all this? For me?’ She looked overwhelmed, confused, disbelieving.
‘Baby,’ I slipped off my chair to crouch between her thick thighs, my hands running up her silky skin. ‘I’d move the earth if you asked.’
She shook her head slowly, her eyes glassy. ‘I didn’t want you to turn your life upside down.’
‘Nothing’s set in stone just yet,’ I reassured her. ‘But if I expected you to move to the Cape, I’d be a fucking hypocrite if I wasn’t willing to do the same if there’s a viable option.’
She caught my face in her hand. ‘Thank you.’
I grinned. ‘You can thank me later in be—’
‘And that is more than I needed to know!’ Erik burst in. ‘Shall we go check out this marina?’
I watched Ella, waiting for her answer. Slowly, she nodded.
‘Great!’ Erik slung an arm around her neck, giving her a squeeze. ‘And maybe we can get dinner at this little lady’s restaurant?’
‘You’re paying,’ I warned him even as Ella waved me off.
‘Family doesn’t pay,’ Erik protested. ‘We’re family right, Ella?’
‘Of course, they do,’ I snapped, turning on my heel to head back to the bedroom to find a shirt. ‘Gotta support small businesses.’
‘Don’t worry, you don’t have to pay.’ I heard Ella reassure Erik.
‘Yes, he does!’
Our argument continued until we got to the marina where, as the sun hung low in the sky, we walked every inch of the property.
‘I mean, it’s pretty horrible,’ Erik said as he poked at a rotting banister. ‘I can’t see much that doesn’t need to be replaced. Can’t imagine the storefronts are much better.’
We looked up to the row of stores that lined the boardwalk. They were included in the price and, apart from one selling bait and gear, stood empty.
‘They’ve been vacant for as long as I can remember. I highly doubt they’ll be fit for much.’
‘But if they were fixed up….’ I trailed off.
‘Fine.’ Erik tossed up his hands. ‘You’ve convinced me. We’ll take it.’ He waggled a finger in my face. ‘But this is gonna be your baby. Don’t come crying to me when you get splinters in your hands.’
I grinned, holding out my hand for him to shake. ‘Promise.’
