“Eveliina,” he called again as he opened the kitchen door. The smell of coffee and fresh baking assailed his senses. Loving her like Jesus would be hard when she seemed determined to make his life unbearable.
Adam covered his nose with his hand, determined to keep temptation at bay. “Eveliina?” he tried again, softer this time. Perhaps she was upstairs sleeping. He gingerly climbed the wooden staircase until he was able to peek over the last step. The room was empty. Where could she be? The other boat was still moored, so she hadn’t left the island. Had she gone for a walk in the forest? Perhaps he should look for her—it was getting late, albeit not dark. He needed to explain. She had to be confused by his sudden retreat. Would she be worried about him? He’d been gone for hours.
On his way down the ladder, Adam spotted the cause of the second delicious aroma that filled the living space. Heart-shaped buns? Maybe she had been a little worried, after all.
Heading for the door by the sauna, he stopped to examine the buns closer. Adam knew he shouldn’t, but she seemed to have taken such care in making them. One tiny peek couldn’t hurt.
They looked sweet and delicious, like the blueberry pie still on the table. A smile tickled his lips as he stared at the pie. With its one slice removed, it too had taken on a heart shape of sorts.
He glanced across the table at Eveliina’s laptop. She’d already been working? Guess she wasn’t going to unwind like she’d claimed. He walked around the table until he stood in front of the laptop screen. A blond-haired man with icy blue eyes stared back. Adam didn’t like what he saw. The man’s narrow eyes were set too close, his lips too thin, his face too sullen. And what was with the strange sun tattoo on his right hand? Some Nordic cult?
Suddenly it struck him. Could this blond in the desktop background be Eveliina’s boyfriend? The fact she could have one hadn’t crossed his mind. Why wouldn’t she? She was beautiful, full of spunk, and certainly knew her way around a kitchen. Adam found the thought of her being in love with someone perturbing.
A tall ship sailed across the laptop screen, interrupting his musing about Eveliina’s qualities and her relationship with the man in the photo. An animated pirate swung down on a rope, jumped overboard and landed at the bottom of the screen. Standing in front of the blond man, the pirate whipped out a long sword. He waved it around and with each swish, part of Blondie disappeared, then the ship, until the screen was black. The pirate gave a chuckle and disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.
Adam smiled. Vanquished by the crazy pirate.
Perhaps the blond’s an ex-boyfriend.
Without warning, a single bright red word flashed across the black screen. Savant. But neither the pirate, nor Blondie, had looked like wise men to Adam.
The photograph reappeared and Adam had no doubt the same sequence he’d just witnessed would repeat.
As he stepped onto the deck outside, Adam felt heat emanating from the sauna. He called Eveliina’s name again and slowly opened the door.
“Hello, Adam. You miss me?” A giggle followed her bold question. “I’m just messing with you. Come inside. Join me. You’re already half-dressed for the occasion. You may want to get rid of that T-shirt.”
As Adam’s eyes adjusted to the darker room, he prayed Eveliina was dressed for the occasion. Thankful to see her seated on a white towel in a full bathing suit, Adam stepped inside and closed the door. He removed his shirt, discarded it on the bottom bench and sat down on the wooden slats.
“Adam…” She patted the bench beside her. “Come up here so we can talk. I don’t bite, I promise. You’ll get the full benefit of the sauna higher up. It’s far hotter here.”
Adam had no doubt it was hotter, in too many ways. But they did need to talk, and Adam had to show her she didn’t intimidate him.
Before he could take the first step up, Eveliina passed down another request. “Would you mind throwing another ladle or two of water onto the rocks?”
Obliging, Adam filled the ladle and splashed water over the heated rocks on the furnace. Steam hissed, sending humid heat rushing to the roof. Already perspiration drenched his skin. He should have grabbed a towel.
He splashed cold water on his face, ready for the heat, and headed to the top bench, T-shirt in hand.
For several minutes, they didn’t say a word. He’d barely begun to relax when she broke the silence.
“See, I told you I don’t bite.”
Adam wasn’t so sure. From where he sat, she looked rather hungry. He felt a little like the roasted sacrificial lamb about to be served on a slatted wooden platter.
“Tell me about your afternoon, Adam. Did you have fun out on the lake? Were you rowing the entire time?”
Clasping his hands together, Adam briefly rested his arms on his legs as he gathered his thoughts. He turned to her and proceeded to tell Eveliina about his afternoon on the lake. But the details of his time spent in prayer, seated on a log at the far side of the lake overlooking the Mikkola cottage, he kept to himself. He didn’t deem it appropriate to tell Eveliina he’d spent two hours solid with only her on his mind as he interceded before the throne of God for her salvation.
“I’m sorry I rushed out of here earlier.” Chit-chat over, it was time to apologize and explain.
“Did I say something wrong?”
He shook his head. “No.” Letting out a heavy sigh that he made no attempt to conceal, Adam continued. “It’s just…the blueberry pie”—he pointed at Eveliina—“you…it was all overwhelming. Attractive. Tempting. I had to clear my head.”
“You find me attractive? A temptation?”
“What man wouldn’t? Look at you.” Adam shook his head. “I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t find you attractive, too.”
“And the missionary cannot lie, can he?”
“Amongst the many things I can’t do, no. I have to remain true in everything—to my God, to my fellow man, to myself.” Adam lifted his T-shirt, and wiped the sweat from his face and neck. “But I came to an important decision out there on the lake.”
Eveliina shifted closer. Placing her hand lightly on his thigh, she whispered in his ear. “And that is?”
Adam grinned. “I’m really looking forward to our salmon dinner.”
****
This couldn’t be happening. He was supposed to want to leave, not stay. Eveliina had to get out. Things were getting too hot in the sauna, especially after Adam’s declaration that he found her appealing. Instead of making things difficult for Adam, all she’d managed to do was make things difficult for herself. She cursed beneath her breath for finding herself relieved that he wanted to stay.
Eveliina stepped down the two wooden benches. She reached the floor. There was far less heat down there. She raised a ladle of water and threw it onto the rocks. Then another, eager to see how much heat Adam could stand. Two ladles would make things rather hot on the top bench.
“I’m out of here,” she announced, scooping a final ladle of water. Deciding against another dousing of the rocks, Eveliina flung the liquid in Adam’s direction.
A yell rang out as the cold water struck its intended target.
With a laugh, Eveliina headed outside, looking behind her as she hurriedly navigated the steps leading off the deck. Soon she was on solid ground, running toward the jetty, Adam in hot pursuit.
“I’ll get you for that.”
Eveliina was certain he would. She’d make sure.
Reaching the end of the jetty, there was nothing else she could do but dive. She didn’t mind, though. This was all a normal part of their sauna culture. Adam probably didn’t know, so she played him like a puppet on a string, enjoying every minute of it.
She broke through the water to the sight of Adam standing on the deck. A shiver ran through her body. How good he looked in the light of day.
Splashing water his direction, she yelled. “Come on in. The water’s great.”
“Isn’t it bad for the heart to jump into something so cold after being inside something so hot?”
“Depends on who you’re jumping with.” She dove underwater, coming up for air as she reached the jetty. The wooden walkway soaked as she rested her arms on the jetty. Her gaze followed Adam’s body from his toes, to his legs, shorts, and stomach, finally resting on his beaming face. “Come on in, Adam. If it’s not good for your heart, it’s at least great for your circulation.”
Despite her persuasion, he still hesitated.
Eveliina’s eyes narrowed. She jutted her chin at him. “Mammanpoika.”
Adam chuckled and shook his head. “I have no idea what you just said, but it didn’t sound too flattering.”
“Mamma’s boy…” She stretched out her arms and lightly brushed Adam’s calves with her hands. “Are you a mamma’s boy, Adam? Scared to get into the water? Afraid to get a little wet?”
Adam pointed at his chest, laughing. “Me? A sissy? Never.” He dove into the lake.
As he surfaced, Adam punched the air. “Whoo.” The grin she was fast becoming accustomed to, swept across his face, lighting his eyes. He ran a hand through his wet hair. Water droplets plummeted back into the lake.
“I’m so glad to see you’re no coward, Adam Carter.” Eveliina swam up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Actually, I have a confession to make.”
“Really?”
“I had no choice but to jump in…the mosquitoes were eating me alive.”
Eveliina threw her head backward. Her laughter filled the air. Finally she caught her breath and focused her gaze on him. “You could have pretended to be the brave hero. I would never have known.”
Adam cocked his eyebrows. “I told you I don’t lie.”
“I’m beginning to see.” She pulled herself closer and tightened her arms around his neck. She could sense his arms and legs treading water, keeping them both afloat. “So tell me then, Adam, how attractive do you find me…really.”
His eyes earnest, his breath warm on her face, Adam whispered a single word. “Very.”
How she longed for more than his gaze. She ached for him to wrap his arms around her, to return her embrace, to feel his lips on hers as she had in her daydream. She waited, expectant. Any moment now, for this was no longer a dream, this was reality.
When Adam took her hands and released her grip on him, Eveliina realized reality was not going quite the way she’d intended. Holding her hands at arm’s-length, Adam placed a little distance between them. “But it’s complicated.”
Was it ever? She doubted Adam had the slightest inkling of how complicated this had become for her. In her attempts to drive him away, she’d pushed herself closer to Adam, fully intending all the time not to fall in love.
In twenty-four hours, she had failed.
****
“That was fun. Let’s do it again.” Eveliina stood at the edge of the lake, shivering, as Adam strode out of the water toward her. The only time she shivered after a sauna and swim was when she’d done this same feat in winter and jumped into the avanto. Would Adam be brave enough to face the hole in the ice come winter?
Adam raised his brows. “Again?”
Eveliina jumped up and down. “Yes. We normally do this a few times in a sauna session.”
“Tempting as that is, I think we should call it a night. I’m pretty beat from my time on the lake, and I need to give my room a chance to cool down, otherwise I’ll never get to sleep.” Adam gestured for Eveliina to lead the way back to the cottage. “Can’t leave the sauna door open, the mosquitoes would carry me away alive.”
“You can sleep inside, Adam.”
Adam made no attempt to hide his sigh. “Not a good idea. I wouldn’t want to disappoint you by compromising my integrity.”
She should have felt rebuffed by Adam’s stance—instead a renewed admiration filled her, softening her heart.
Eveliina turned to Adam as she reached the deck. “Would you mind if I bathed in the sauna first, while the water’s still hot?”
“As long as you don’t expect me to join you.”
Would she ever tire of his smile, his laugh?
“No. I wouldn’t.” She opened the cottage door and stepped inside. “I’ll just get my clothes. I won’t be long. Please, make yourself at home. It’ll be some time before your room’s ready for sleeping.”
“Now that’s one offer I will take you up on. I wouldn’t survive long if I waited outside—my mosquito repellant’s almost done.”
“I have three bottles. Help yourself. You’ll find one on the kitchen windowsill.” Eveliina climbed the ladder to her room, and was back down a few minutes later, clothes in tow.
Adam had already stretched out on the daybed, pillow propped in the corner, Bible open in his hands.
“Good story?” She smiled.
He looked up at her over the top of the pages. “The best.”
Two small words, but they penetrated deep. Once upon a time, she’d thought so, too. Could she believe that way again?
Stopping at the door, she turned. “I won’t be long. I’d say help yourself to whatever you want, but I know all you’ll opt for is water. You know where the tap is.”
“Sure do. Enjoy your bath. Shower? Wash? Whatever…”
She closed the cottage door, leaving Adam to figure out the bathing rituals of the Finns.
Eveliina tapped hot water out of the side of the sauna furnace into a large plastic container, and balanced the temperature with cold water from the ladling bucket. She started by washing her hair, working her way down to her feet. Ten painted toenails stared blankly back, bare. She must have lost the bandage in the lake.
Yearning for Adam’s company, she didn’t take long to bathe. But even though she’d been quick, she hadn’t been quick enough. Adam slept on the daybed, Bible open face down on his chest. His fingers barely held on to the cover.
Taking care not to wake him, Eveliina removed the Bible, closed it and placed it on the floor beside him. She opened a cupboard on the wall in front of the daybed and removed a summer quilt. After she lowered the blinds, leaving the room darkened, she gently covered Adam. Afraid she’d wake him, Eveliina hesitated for a moment before planting a soft kiss on his lips. “Goodnight, Adam,” she whispered before stepping away and climbing up to her bedroom.
Tomorrow she’d begin painting the cottage. She’d already checked the storeroom at the back. As always, Ukki had ensured it was stocked with all the necessary maintenance items, including paint for the wooden house. Adam would certainly offer his help, and for a while, she’d capture his undivided attention.
Not the least bit sleepy, Eveliina pushed her mattress to the opening and propped her pillow at the top edge of the ladder. The lamp in her room cast a soft glow on Adam’s sleeping form. She spent her waking hours gazing at him.
8
Adam’s eyes flew open. Sunday, the Lord’s day. He’d spend it alone on the other side of the island beside the big rock—the place where God first burdened his heart for Eveliina.
He checked his wristwatch. Constant and true, his internal alarm never failed to wake him at six. Comfortable beneath the quilt, Adam looked around the cottage, disoriented, fully expecting to have woken inside the sauna. He must have dozed off before Eveliina returned, and she’d covered him and left him to sleep.
It wouldn’t happen again.
He looked up toward her room. Strawberry blond hair cascaded from the opening and touched the first step. Adam noticed her pillow tottering on the edge, ready to tumble. Her left arm dangled past the length of her hair. He hoped she’d never been one of those children who fell out of their bunk beds. He’d had his fair share of those falls, until his parents insisted he could no longer sleep on the top bunk.
This was far higher.
Intending to make sure she was safe, Adam quietly climbed the ladder.
He smiled. She was a messy sleeper. Cute, but messy. Her tangled hair half hid her face, and her blankets had been kicked off, exposing her long, shapely legs. He thrilled at the re
membrance of them brushing against his as they treaded water in the lake. A man’s sleeping shirt covered her body. The twinge of jealousy that wrapped around Adam’s heart caught him off guard. Was this his shirt, the blond man on her laptop? He had to be someone significant in her life—why else would she have his picture splashed across her screen?
Eveliina mumbled as she rolled onto her back. Who was she dreaming about?
Adam leaned closer.
She mumbled again. This time he heard the single word that barely touched her lips.
“Adam…”
He brushed the hair from her face, tucking the wild strands behind the daintiest ear he’d seen on a woman. He hadn’t always been set apart for God’s service.
She pursed her lips, drawing his attention to their perfect shape. If it wasn’t inappropriate, he would have sown a gentle kiss there. Unless he woke her, there wasn’t much he could do about Eveliina’s posture except pray. Adam climbed back down the ladder, offering a prayer for her safety with each step he took.
After a wash in the sauna, he dressed in shorts, his favorite T-shirt, and sneakers—with laces, no socks. He brushed his teeth, and then spent a few minutes giving his beard a trim, cutting the facial hair close to his skin. Adam got the distinct impression yesterday Eveliina liked it that way.
Neat and clean, he retrieved his Bible from the floor beside the daybed. He scribbled a note to Eveliina on the shopping list notepad that hung on the kitchen wall, tore off the square paper and slipped it beneath her laptop screen. When she lifted the screen later, as no doubt she would, she’d see his handiwork.
Forty-five minutes after waking, Adam made his way down to the canoe. He could easily have walked to the other side of the forest, it wasn’t far, but taking the canoe would let Eveliina think he was back out on the lake. He didn’t want any distractions today while he worshipped his Creator and interceded for Eveliina.
But the day wasn’t destined to be easy for Adam as he prayed in the forest. Every time he closed his eyes, he’d see her before him. Eveliina with the log in her hand. Eveliina laughing in the lake, swirling her body around him. Eveliina taking a bite of blueberry pie. Eveliina wrapping her arms around his neck. Eveliina laying her hand against his chest. Eveliina sweating in the sauna. Eveliina peacefully asleep in the loft, whispering his name in her dreams. Eveliina’s lips on his, kissing him goodnight.
Helsinki Sunrise Page 5
