Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

HANNAH

K odiak was buzzing with excitement as the annual Northern Lights Festival approached. The streets were festooned with colorful lights and decorations, and the crisp winter air was filled with the hum of activity. Artisans from all over Alaska and northern Canada were gearing up and setting up their booths in various event spaces as well as different shops. There would be horse and caribou-drawn sleighs to take people to and fro, and everyone seemed to love it.

People were coming into Kodiak via plane and ferry—some were even using private boats—with everything ranging from intricate carvings to stunning pieces of artwork, handmade jewelry, and food items. Many of them shipped stock in as it was too burdensome to carry. Several of the existing businesses helped out by storing things for people for free. It seemed as if everyone wanted everybody to do well. For many of them, the festival was the highlight of the year, the time when they made most of their annual sales.

Hannah stood in the middle of her bakery, a sense of both excitement and trepidation coursing through her. With a little more work, she just might be able to make her self-imposed deadline. She had offered space in the bakery, either way, to some of her suppliers. The festival was just days away, and her grand opening was set to coincide with it. She had dreamed of this moment for so long, but now that it was here, the sheer scale of the preparations was practically overwhelming.

Rick seemed to have an innate sense of when things were getting to be too much for her and often found things he needed her help with—usually they involved getting her away from the bakery at a reasonable hour, taking her for a sleigh ride for lunch, making sure she ate and any number of other things she was wont to skip over if not prompted. His ultimate card to play was ‘well, I did save your life so now I'm responsible for it.' On more than one occasion, she'd hit him with a loosely packed snowball, which only made him laugh.

She glanced around the bakery, taking in the sight of the shelves filled with jars of homemade jams and preserves, locally sourced honey and butter, and the display cases ready to be stocked with an array of pastries, cookies, and cakes. The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the aroma of cinnamon and sugar. It was everything she had envisioned, and yet, the pressure to get everything perfect was immense.

The sound of the doorbell jingling brought her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Rick stepping inside, his usual gruff demeanor softened by a warm smile.

"Morning, Hannah," he greeted, shrugging off his coat and hanging it by the door. "Ready for another day of controlled chaos?"

Hannah laughed, the sound a mix of nerves and genuine amusement. "As ready as I'll ever be. Thanks for coming by, Rick. I don't know what I'd have done without you."

Rick waved a hand dismissively, but there was a glint of pleasure in his eyes. "There's no need to thank me. You'd have done just fine on your own. I'm just doing what I can to help so I ensure there's no ripples in my bread pipeline."

And help, he did. Over the past few weeks, Rick had become her unofficial guide, always seeming to be around when she needed him. He had driven her to and from Nicole's and the local supply stores countless times, helped with the final touches on the bakery before taking his painting skills upstairs, and arranged for her friends to have Max Renner carve her the most exquisite mantle for the stone fireplace in her apartment, and now he was here, ready to assist with the last-minute preparations.

"What's on the agenda for today?" he asked, rolling up his sleeves.

Hannah pulled out a list from her apron pocket, her eyes scanning the numerous tasks. "We need to finalize the menu, set up the display cases, and make sure everything is in order for the festival. Oh, and I still need to figure out where to put the hot chocolate station."

Rick nodded, taking the list from her and studying it. "All right, let's start with the menu. What do you have so far?"

Hannah led him over to the counter, where she had laid out her proposed menu. "I'm thinking of a mix of classic favorites and some festive specials. We'll have sourdough, rye, and whole wheat loaves, of course. Then there are the pastries—croissants, Danish pastries, and muffins. For the sweets, we'll have cookies, brownies, and a few different types of cakes. And for the festival, I'm planning some northern lights-themed treats—cookies decorated with colorful icing, and cupcakes with edible glitter."

Rick raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Sounds like you've got it all figured out. What about the hot chocolate station?"

Hannah sighed, looking around the bakery. "I was thinking of setting it up by the window, so people can grab a cup and watch the festival from inside if they want. But I'm not sure if it'll be too cramped."

Rick considered the space, then nodded. "I think we could make that work. We can move the small table with the fairy lights over there to create a cozy corner. And I'll help you set up the machine and get everything ready. Oh, and Melinda wants to come down and help you run things. I think down the road she's hoping she can come to work for you."

Hannah smiled, relief washing over her. "That sounds perfect, but I can't steal her from you."

"It'll be you or someone else. That girl's got ambition. She's never going to just be a waitress for the rest of her life, not that there's anything wrong with that."

"No, but I was kind of worried about how I was going to handle the crowds everyone thinks I'm going to attract. Thank you, Rick."

They spent the next few hours working side by side, arranging the display cases, getting the shelves ready for stocking, making sure they had all the ingredients needed and setting up the hot chocolate station. Rick's presence was a steadying influence, his calm demeanor helping to ease her anxiety. He seemed to anticipate her needs, always one step ahead, whether it was lifting heavy boxes or offering a reassuring word. His hands often lingered when he touched her, and she didn't mind one bit.

As they worked, Hannah couldn't help but notice the softer side of Rick that he seemed only too willing to share with her. Nicole and Melisandre told her it was a side he showed very few people. His gruff exterior hid a man who was thoughtful, kind, and incredibly supportive. She found herself looking forward to his company, grateful for his help and the bond that was slowly growing between them.

By the time afternoon rolled around, they had made significant progress. The bakery was starting to look like the warm, inviting space Hannah had envisioned from the beginning, ready to welcome the influx of visitors the festival would bring.

"Hey, Rick," she said, pausing to catch her breath. "I think we're almost there. Just a few more things to take care of."

Rick nodded, wiping his hands on a towel. "Yeah, it's looking great. You should be proud of what you've accomplished here."

Hannah felt a swell of pride at his words. "Thanks, Rick. I really couldn't have done it without you."

He shrugged, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks, which seemed odd and endearing in a man of his size and strength. "Just glad to be of help."

They took a break, sitting down at one of the small tables near the window. Outside, the town was a flurry of activity, with vendors setting up their booths and people bustling about, preparing for the festival. The anticipation was palpable, the air charged with excitement.

"Tell me more about the festival," Hannah said, sipping a cup of coffee. "I've heard so much about it, but I haven't experienced it myself."

Rick leaned back in his chair, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips. "The Northern Lights Festival is something special. It brings the whole town together, and we get visitors from all over. I know we're the biggest city on the island, but there's still only about fifty-five hundred of us. There are artisans, musicians, and food vendors—everyone showcasing their best. The highlight, of course, are the northern lights themselves. When the sky lights up, it's like magic. There's nothing quite like it."

Hannah nodded as she listened. "Every night I watch them dancing in the sky over the harbor from my place over Nicole's. God what would I have done without all of you."

"Like I said, you'd have been fine."

He began to describe his first sight of the aurora borealis as a child and how the lights had captivated his imagination. "I have a friend that says they're actually the spirits of dragons who died heroically in battle."

"Sort of like Valhalla?"

"Yes, but only better," he laughed.

She was as captivated by his words as she was by the man himself. She could picture it all in her mind—the vibrant colors of the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky, the laughter and chatter of people enjoying the festivities, the warmth of community spirit. And with his description of the lights being a kind of dragon's Valhalla, she didn't think she'd ever see them again the same way.

"It sounds amazing," she said softly. "I can't wait to be a part of it."

Rick smiled, his eyes warm. "You will be. And your bakery is going to be a big hit, I can feel it."

They finished their coffee and got back to work, the hours slipping by in a blur of activity. As evening approached, the bakery was nearly ready. She had a schedule of when she needed to start baking what, and Rick told her Melinda would be down whenever she needed her.

The display fixtures were ready to be filled with an array of delicious breads, pastries and sweets, and the hot chocolate station was set up by the window, complete with marshmallows and whipped cream.

Hannah stood back, surveying the scene with a sense of satisfaction. "We did it," she said, turning to Rick. "I think we're ready for the grand opening."

Rick grinned, a rare sight that made her heart skip a beat. "Yep, we did. It looks fantastic, Hannah."

They tidied up the last few things, then headed out into the cold evening air. The town was coming alive with lights and decorations, the final touches being added in preparation for the festival. As they walked, Rick pointed out various booths and attractions, sharing stories and memories from past festivals.

Hannah listened, feeling a deep sense of connection to this place and the people in it. She had found her home here in Kodiak, and with Rick by her side, she felt ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Thank you for everything, Rick," she said as they reached her apartment. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

He shrugged, his expression softening. "Anytime, Hannah. I'll be here whenever you need me."

She reached up to kiss him on the cheek, but his head turned, and her mouth landed on his. She started to pull away, embarrassed, but didn't get the chance. Rick moved forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. His hand came up to cup her cheek, his touch gentle yet firm. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Then he leaned down, and their lips met.

The kiss was soft at first, a tentative exploration. Hannah's eyes fluttered closed as she melted into the warmth of Rick's embrace. His lips were warm and slightly rough, moving against hers with a tenderness that took her breath away. She felt his other hand slide around her waist, pulling her closer, anchoring her to him.

As the kiss deepened, Hannah's senses came alive. She could feel the steady thump of Rick's heartbeat against her chest, the slight chill of the winter air on her skin contrasting with the heat building between them. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in a cocoon of shared warmth and desire.

Rick's fingers threaded through her hair, tilting her head to deepen the kiss, his lips slipping between her lips, his tongue tangling with hers. Hannah responded eagerly, her own hands sliding up to rest on his shoulders. The kiss grew more urgent, a mingling of breath and whispered sighs. It was as if they were both pouring all their unspoken feelings into that one, perfect moment.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting together. Hannah opened her eyes to find Rick staring down at her, his gaze filled with a mix of wonder and affection.

"Hannah," he murmured, his voice husky with emotion. "I've wanted to do that for so long."

She smiled, her heart soaring. "Me too, Rick."

The northern lights swirled above and were mixed with fireworks that were being shot off over the harbor, but in that moment, nothing else mattered. He brushed her lips with his before taking a step back.

"Goodnight, Hannah. I'll pick you up in the morning, and we can have breakfast at the diner."

She nodded. "Sounds good. Goodnight, Rick."

She climbed the stairs to the studio she rented from Nicole feeling a sense of peace, combined with one of unabandoned joy settling over her. The bakery was ready, the festival was just around the corner, and she had friends she could rely on. The Northern Lights Festival was going to be a new beginning, and she couldn't wait to see what the future held.