Helsinki Sunrise

by Marion Ueckermann

  “No, no, no.”

  Eveliina wasn’t playing fair.

  Adam dumped the blueberries back into the bucket, retaining only the one he’d used to illustrate his fish food scenario. “This is how they react.” He held it up in front of his own face, squinted and puckered up as she had. With a growl he attacked the blueberry. It disappeared inside his mouth. Adam chewed on its sweetness when suddenly he remembered. He spat out the mushed fruit with the same vehemence as he’d attacked it.

  Eveliina’s laughter filled the air. “See, I told you fish don’t eat blueberries.”

  Adam scooped up a handful of water and washed out his mouth. “Point taken.”

  “Would you like to sauna? It wouldn’t take long to stoke the fire.” Her face beamed.

  It was good to see her smile again, but Adam couldn’t trust himself to be alone with her in there. He’d already had a momentary lapse on the blueberry, even though it was just a tiny fruit, which he’d spat out before consuming. He couldn’t take a chance on messing things up with Eveliina.

  “Do you mind if I take a rain check? It’s already seven-thirty, and I’m weary tonight.” A grin followed Adam’s yawn. “I need my rest if we’re to paint a house tomorrow.”

  “A week without food will do that to you, Adam.”

  “Six days…”

  “Still, it’s a long time to be without sustenance. I don’t know how you do it. Are you sure you can’t break your fast at the same time as Mikko?”

  “You know what’s at stake.”

  Her gaze never left Adam’s as she rattled off the answer. “Finland, Helsinki, me…not necessarily in that order, I hope.”

  Heartened by her response, Adam brushed his hand across her cheek before tucking her hair behind her ear. He leaned in closer. “You were listening.”

  Eveliina’s mouth curled into a smile. “Of course I was—both times.” She closed her eyes, cupped her hand around his and pressed it against her cheek before turning her face into his hand. She planted a kiss on his palm.

  Adam took a deep breath. “Who’s Joel?”

  Her eyes flew open. She hesitated a moment before answering. “He’s my boss.”

  “And he misses you?”

  Eveliina’s eyes narrowed.

  “I’m sorry. It was hard not to overhear what you were saying. I’m not trying to pry…only to understand.”

  “What boss doesn’t miss his faithful workhorse?” She lay back on the deck.

  Adam looked down at her, resisting the temptation to stretch out on the warm wood beside her. “And you miss him?”

  “Just making him feel good. After all, he does pay my salary.”

  “We do need to love our employers.” At least the Bible spoke of obeying and respecting them with a sincere heart. But Adam’s comment had little to do with work—he was fishing.

  “Good thing you work for God. Must surely make that command easier for you to obey than for me.”

  “Your boss called to give you work?”

  “A bit.”

  “Sounded like more than a bit, Eveliina.” Was Joel a hard taskmaster? Is this why she’d escaped to the summer cottage? To get away from work? Or to get away from Joel? Adam couldn’t figure out whether there was more to their relationship.

  She sat up and with a sigh, hugged her knees to her chest. “OK, quite a lot. I’ll get to it if I have time. Life has to be about more than work, work, work.”

  “It is. So much more.”

  “I’m on leave, and I have plans.”

  Adam grinned. “Like painting a house?”

  “That, and more.”

  “You have more you want to paint, or more things you want to do?”

  “More things I want to paint.” Eveliina grabbed a handful of blueberries and squashed them onto Adam’s thigh. With a giggle, she smeared the purple juice down his leg. “Starting with you.”

  Adam returned the favor—squishing berries on her face and in her hair.

  When the bucket was empty, and they were covered in sticky blotches, Adam discarded his shirt and plunged into the lake. Still clothed, Eveliina followed. Maybe God was opening the way for Adam’s talk with Eveliina. Tomorrow he’d try again, over a different bucket of paint. One the color of their lifesaver’s blood.

  ****

  After changing out of her wet clothes and hanging them up to dry, Eveliina made herself a snack while Adam bathed in the sauna. She’d insisted he go first—she wanted to eat while he wasn’t around.

  Deciding to finish the design she’d started yesterday, Eveliina sat down in front of her laptop. Thankfully, this was one that Joel had requested earlier. As she ate her ruisleipä, cheese and cucumber sandwich, she gazed through the windows at the lake, lost in the memories of the fun they’d had this evening. She hadn’t laughed this much in a very long time. She thought of their blueberry fight, their water fight, and the way Adam had chased her around outside between the birch trees, and then back into the lake. Would all fights with Adam be so much fun?

  Not all. Eveliina remembered their first encounter in the sauna, and their confrontation earlier in the forest. But how different the day had ended—it could so easily have turned into something she didn’t want.

  She sighed. When last had she felt such contentment? Only two things could make this feeling complete—being in Adam’s arms, and hearing what he’d been about to tell her. Was it possible to have one of those things happen tonight?

  As Eveliina opened her laptop, a note slid out and floated to the floor. She bent to pick it up. The handwriting was unfamiliar.

  Good morning, beautiful lady. It’s Sunday. I’ve gone for a row, and to spend time with God. Have a restful day. I look forward to seeing you later. Adam.

  She read the note again. Strange her insides didn’t churn at his mention of God. But they did flutter. He called her beautiful. He looked forward to seeing her. If only she’d decided to work this morning instead of choosing to paint the cottage—she would have found the note hours before and could have reveled in its contents all day. If she read between the lines, could it be Adam was falling for her? Is this what he’d wanted to tell her?

  One way or the other, she’d get him to talk.

  ****

  While Eveliina took her turn in the sauna, Adam relaxed on the daybed and read his Bible. He would’ve loved to have spent his quiet time down at the water’s edge, but the mosquitoes were fierce tonight.

  He avoided getting too comfortable. A repeat of last night was not an option. Tonight the mattress would be hauled to the sauna. But with both of them needing to wash and dress behind closed doors, it could take a while for it to cool in there.

  His reading complete, Adam closed his Bible and set it on the floor. He rose and crossed to the table, and Eveliina’s open laptop. Blondie and the pirate adorned the screen again. Was this Joel? Or someone else? Someone special? Adam had to get answers. Tonight.

  Dressed in her nightshirt, Eveliina stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” she said as she rubbed her hair dry with a towel. “You said you needed an early night, so I decided to put on my pajamas. Didn’t seem any point to dress in clothes, just to undress in a short while.”

  “That’s OK.” Perturbed about whether the long shirt belonged to Joel, Adam tried to ignore how good Eveliina looked. “Did you remember to leave the sauna door open?”

  “I did. I only hope the mosquitoes don’t move inside before you do. You’d better remember the repellant tonight.” She brushed past him and clasped her hand on the USB mouse. With a wiggle, Blondie and the pirate disappeared, leaving a digital nail and string type pattern on the laptop screen.

  Adam’s eyes widened. “What is that?” He’d never seen such a mish-mash of complicated lines before.

  “My work.”

  “Really? That looks difficult.”

  “It’s not so bad once you get used to it.”

  “So what is that?”


  “An abandoned boat.” She hit a few buttons and the screen went black.

  “No way, that’s not an abandoned boat.” He pointed to the motorboat outside. “That’s an abandoned boat. It hasn’t moved since you got here.”

  “I meant to tell you. When I arrived, it wouldn’t start. I had to row across to the island.”

  “No wonder your sudden appearance surprised me on Friday night.”

  “You were in such a deep sleep, I could have arrived in a helicopter and you wouldn’t have woken.”

  Adam grinned. “Three days without sleep will do that to you. I’m used to sleeping in darkness. But with the blinds raised and the midnight sun…”

  “Is it because you come from darkest Africa, Adam?”

  He roared with laughter. Sweet Eveliina. Her question had been so innocent. He wouldn’t correct her. Not tonight. Perhaps one day he’d be able to show her what Africa was really like—at least the part he hailed from. Glorious sunshine. Modern, bustling cities. A place where you have to visit a zoo or game reserve to see wild animals, not walk about fearing you’d bump into one on the street.

  “No, it’s not because of that. It’s just a simple fact—darkness equals sleep.” Adam glanced at the screen. Pixel by pixel, the image slowly came to life, and it didn’t look like her weird screensaver. “What’s happening?”

  “Patience, Adam. Not long now and you’ll see I didn’t lie.”

  Adam’s mouth dropped open. Was it possible the curved lines he’d just seen could turn into a picture so lifelike? It was like staring at a photograph. “You’re right. It is an abandoned boat.” Flanked by tall reeds, the dirty white vessel lay toppled over at the edge of a lake. Water filled the inside and moss tinged the sides green. “You made that out of nothing?”

  She nodded.

  “Is this part of the work you have to do this week?”

  “One of three.”

  “What are the others?”

  “A pirate ship and a damsel in distress.”

  “Does the damsel look like you?”

  “Maybe.” Eveliina stroked his hand with her fingers. “Why, do I look in distress?”

  With a grin and a wink, he answered. “Maybe. But don’t worry, help is on the way.”

  “Oh. Are you going to rescue me, Adam Carter?”

  Adam wanted to tell her Jesus was the only one who could save her, but to do so now could be like waving his Lifesaver T-shirt in her face again. He had to work gently with Eveliina’s heart.

  “So, what are they for? The graphics?” Adam found her work fascinating.

  “A 3D movie we’re working on. Pirates of the Ostrobothnian.”

  Now the screensaver made more sense. “Sounds like fun, but hard work.”

  “It is.”

  “You’ve done a great job so far.” Although Adam meant every word, he knew he was stalling. He really wanted to speak of more important things. In answer to his desires, the screen filled with the familiar picture of Blondie. Adam knew the pirate was on his way.

  Eveliina wiggled the mouse again and the abandoned boat appeared. Whoever the man on her screen was, she clearly didn’t want Adam asking about him.

  Which is exactly why he did.

  “Who was that?” Despite trying to sound casual, Adam feared the question screamed jealousy.

  “Who?”

  “The blond man on the screen.”

  “Oh, that’s Joel.”

  So it was Joel. Adam pursed his lips. Screensavers are usually of loved ones—children, parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses. Either that or landscapes. Adam had never heard of anyone using an image of their boss as a screensaver.

  He wanted to ask her more—about the pirates, about Savant—but if he did, Eveliina would know he’d looked at her laptop and think he’d been prying.

  But Adam didn’t have to ask.

  “Every time we start a new project, Joel makes a screensaver that’s compulsory for each employee’s computer.” She shut the laptop. “Always a picture of him that’s obliterated by whatever 3D character happens to be the protagonist of the movie we’re working on. He finishes the screensaver with the name of his company—Savant.”

  “Sounds fun.”

  Eveliina pulled a face. “As amusing as they are, the only person who thinks these screensavers emulate the company’s name is Joel. I’ve tried many times to discourage him, but he’s stubborn. How can I tell him that disgruntled employees delight in seeing him destroyed by Timmy the Field Mouse, The Lemmings of Lapland, or this time by Captain Swashbuckle?”

  “Let me guess, the pirates are coming?” Adam raised his brows.

  She giggled. “Attacking my screen every chance they get.”

  “It’s nice someone cares for your boss. You’re a good person, Eveliina.”

  “Not really.”

  “Why? Are you one of those who on occasion secretly delight in destroying Joel?”

  Eveliina looked away and began tidying up the table.

  Adam turned her around to face him. He spoke cautiously, careful not to offend. “Or do you care because Joel is more than your boss?”

  She pushed past Adam. “It’s getting late. You should probably get the mattress into the sauna.”

  He stopped her, holding her gently on the wrist.

  “Are you in love with Joel?”

  Her answer was swift. “No.”

  Adam believed her. But her response didn’t satisfy. “Are you involved with him?”

  “That’s none of your business.” The tightness in her voice was unmistakable.

  “You’re right.” His voice softened to a whisper, his eyes pleaded for an answer. “But I need to know.”

  With a sigh, she let out the one word Adam didn’t want to hear.

  “Yes.”

  ****

  Adam stepped up the two rows of benches and opened the small window. It was still stuffy in the sauna.

  As he lay down on the mattress, questions stung like the mosquito buzzing around his head. What had possessed him to push her? Now that he had the answers he sought, did he really want that knowledge?

  He smacked his hands together in the air. The high-pitched noise instantly ceased. Adam reached for the bottle of insect repellant.

  If only there was a question repellant bottle—he could have avoided asking the ones he had, and escaped the questions their answers had raised.

  Was it right to feel the way he did about Eveliina? After all, she wasn’t in love with Joel. Perhaps her relationship with her boss had something to do with keeping her job? It was just a gut feel, but Adam was certain Joel wasn’t good for her.

  But unless Eveliina’s heart turned back to God, she wouldn’t be good for Adam. And until she made that change, they had no future together.

  Adam fluffed his pillow and sank down hard into it. Tomorrow, over the paint tins, he’d tell her how he felt. Then he’d tell her how Jesus felt.

  11

  Eveliina dipped her roller in the paint tray again. She’d wanted to talk to Adam last night about his note in the laptop, about what he’d left unsaid on the jetty before Joel’s call interrupted. Adam finding out about her relationship with Joel had soured the evening. He went to bed shortly after.

  She lifted the roller carefully and placed it against the faded wood. Plank for plank, the cottage slowly turned a deep red. She glanced at Adam out of the corner of her eye. He had painted four wooden planks to her one. It wasn’t that she was naturally slow at this—Adam was a distraction. His arm muscles rippled as he moved the roller up and down. She could watch him work all day.

  Determined to break the awkward silence, she asked, “Do you work out, Adam?”

  “No. Why?”

  The innocence with which he asked convinced Eveliina that Adam was clueless to his physical appeal.

  She reached out and touched his upper arm, leaving a streak of paint on his skin. “You’re just…how do you say?—well-molded.”

  He stared at he
r, his face solemn. “Are you calling me a fungi?”

  “No…” Eveliina let out a nervous laugh. Was Adam messing with her?

  “You don’t think I’m a fun guy?” Confused, she looked for a softening in his features.

  He remained serious.

  “You’re well-shaped, that’s all,” she retorted.

  His sober look yielded to a wide grin, and that sparkle in his eyes. “Comes from building houses in Africa.”

  “Oh you…you just wanted me to say it again, didn’t you?” She flicked her roller at Adam. Red splashed over his chest and arm.

  He looked at his splattered body, then at Eveliina. She was in trouble. Dressed in painting clothes, she was fortunately prepared. She hurriedly charged her roller with paint, but when she looked up, it was into Adam’s roller as it brushed across the side of her face.

  Deciding a roller would take too long to exact her revenge—and Adam could easily disarm her—Eveliina dipped her hands into the paint tray. This was war. She attacked, smearing her hands over Adam’s chest and face. They’d emerge from this battle like wounded soldiers.

  Finally, as their laughter subsided and they both caught their breath, Adam cautioned, “If we don’t stop playing around now, we won’t have enough paint to finish the job. I’m anxious to get done so we can relax…and talk.”

  He wanted to talk? What were they waiting for?

  She grinned at Adam. “Let’s wash off in the lake. We can relax and talk there.” Maybe he’d finally open up to what he’d wanted to say yesterday on the jetty—she was beginning to wonder if he ever would. But he’d said another day, and the missionary cannot lie. He’d feel better once he got it off his chest. She had a hunch they both knew that.

  “Another time. We need to finish. Seems a storm’s coming.”

  Eveliina had been so busy eyeing Adam, and finger painting him, she hadn’t seen the dark clouds roll in. She picked up her pace, anxious to hear what Adam had to say, and to beat the storm. Adam was still faster—his arms were longer and more powerful.

  There was less than half a side left to paint, when the storm struck. Fortunately, they’d painted from the bottom of the cottage upward, so the eaves kept the unpainted portion dry.