Read Online Helsinki Sunrise by Marion Ueckermann - Free Book Online

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.
    He hadn’t imagined it.
     
    ****
     
    She couldn’t wait to start her day with Adam. Putting on her widest smile, Eveliina popped her head over the edge of her room’s entrance. Like a vapor, her smile dissipated at the sight of the neat daybed—cover straightened, quilt folded and placed to one side. Had Adam woken in the night and returned to the sauna? If he had, then he was either already up, or he’d slept on one of the hard wooden benches.
    She hurried down the ladder and put on a pot of coffee to brew. She briefly considered baking something, but decided against it, no longer wanting Adam to leave. All she wanted now was to savor the time she had with him. All too soon, it would be over.
    From now, if Adam was to taste anything forbidden, it would be her alone. She didn’t want some pastry to be on the receiving end of his lips.
    Eveliina stepped outside, searching for Adam. Only one boat moored at the jetty told her what she needed to know. Her eyes scanned the lake.
    Nothing.
    All she could do was get on with her original plans for the day and hope Adam returned soon. The idea of painting the cottage had seemed far more appealing with him in the picture. She knew exactly what would make the chore more bearable—ice cream and blueberries.
    With a full bowl of frozen dessert ready to go, Eveliina pulled out the tub of blueberries. Only a handful remained.
     
    ****
     
    The faded wall along the kitchen was the first to change back to a deep burgundy. It had been a morning of hard work, but as Eveliina stepped back to view her handiwork, she knew every painful minute had been worth it.
    Perfect.
    Despite her eagerness to see the rest of the cottage transformed to this deep red glory, she resolved to wait for Adam’s help.
    Speaking of…where was the man?
    She’d kept her eye on the lake all morning. Not a sign of him.
    Panic dug its sharp nails into her heart and squeezed. What if she’d over-stepped the line last night? What if he’d decided to take off this morning and not return?
    No—his backpack still stood outside on the deck.
    Thinking of Adam made her hungry. Time for more ice cream and blueberries.
    Drat. She forgot they were finished. Nothing to do but go pick more.
    Eveliina washed the paint from her arms and hands and strolled down to the jetty. She hopped inside the boat and pulled on the cord to start the motor. Only the slightest sputter—nothing else. She’d forgotten the motor wouldn’t start on Friday night. She’d have to ask Adam why.
    Despite the best berry