Over the next two days we stayed anchored up and just enjoyed life. Jake stayed with us on the yacht. All three men onboard were quite active at most times. Having five women to take care of was quite stimulating but also draining at the same time.
On the morning of the last day we stayed at anchor Jake and I discussed the cabin and what may be needed. Carl was helpful as well. We cruised over to our new home that afternoon, taking our time and enjoying the views all around us.
Pulling up to the dock I found that the yacht fit right in. We moved our things into our new home and with Jake's help Carl and I figured out all the necessary things to keep the place powered up and operating. Jake spent the night, and the next morning as the sun rose and the waters reflected the serenity of our new home, he fired up that floatplane and roared off into the air, headed for Juneau.
We spent the next week or so just getting ideas of what we wanted to do with the place, and learning what we needed to do to get us all settled in. Sandra had been staying with us, and using her skiff to run back and forth to her job.
One night I realized that my birthday was approaching. I knew that May was aware of when it was, but I didn't think anyone else did. I kept quiet, hoping that it would pass without fanfare. We took the yacht into Juneau and tied up there for two days while Carl and I went here and there and got bids for some additions to the cabin, and purchased some major appliances.
The girls took off and went shopping. I discovered that the local supermarkets would ship to remote areas, and also do what they called 'box orders'. Shopping in bulk for food items was Jan's specialty, so we all left her with figuring out what we needed. When she got together the list for our needs it was quite large.
I was so caught up in the new life I was embarking on, I truly forgot about my birthday fast approaching. May and I took some nice long walks, visited the glacier's, and even picked out some of the appliances together as well.
At the end of our stay, we loaded up the yacht with all we had purchased, other than the things that would be barged over by a local barge company. The contractors we had hired were all headed out to the cabin and work was started before we ever left Juneau.
We were fast becoming very close friends, all of us enjoying the company, and fitting in like family. John, my financial advisor had shown up and he accompanied us to our new home. On the way we talked.
"Bill, I see you and May seem very happy. I will say that you are the happiest I have seen you in quite some time too. I guess that it is good you didn't listen to me after all."
"John, you know you were doing what you thought was the right thing. You didn't understand the situation completely, and I know that you had fears of my losing all. As you can see, I didn't lose anything, but I did gain a whole new life."
"Yeah. You did. About this property you bought...did you have any lawyers go over the details yet?"
"Hell no. That isn't how it was done at all. Jake, the guy we bought it from took us out and showed it, then we talked turkey. Afterwards I just had the money transferred to him and it was a done deal. All it took on our part was a handshake. The title was transferred that afternoon, and I'm happy. It's rustic and needing work, but I saw that before I bought it. Jake is an honorable man. A bit crusty perhaps, but honorable."
"A handshake? You settled on a handshake? Man, that's rare now days. I hope that nothing comes up to screw things up for you now."
"Heh...that's what I pay you for. Taking care of the details that might come up."
"It appears to me that you have been doing my job then. I hope you realize that you could have gotten yourself into a real mess here."
"No offense John...but I was doing okay before you and I met. I'm not a total idiot you know."
"Bill, I'm just worried. Land deals are sometimes quite full of unknown bombs and pitfalls. For all you know, the Forest Service is about to take that property out there in a condemnation proceeding."
"Heh...I know that isn't true. Jake and the Forest service don't get along real well. Besides, this land has an ironclad title with no surprises. The title agent even mentioned that he hadn't seen such a straight forward land deal in quite some time."
"Well...you won't mind if I check into a few things will you?"
"You do what you think is necessary John. So...are you ready to see our piece of paradise then?
We were all loaded up on the yacht and with May in command, we set out for home. The day was sunny with only a hint of clouds up there. We all spent loads of time either on the bridge or on the decks soaking up the sun. Jake had mentioned the rainy season, and how dry it had been this year, but I just saw a normal summer day.
John stayed the day, then in the late afternoon; he flew out on a charter floatplane. I had mentioned getting a floatplane for our use out here, and he was to check into finding a nice one. Something that I could learn to fly without too much trouble. Carl and I were for sure going to get our pilots certificates and I think May and Jan were interested in learning to fly too.
That night, as Jan got dinner ready with the help of Anne, May began to act weird. She was guiding me around the house, not letting me get into the kitchen nor into our bedroom. I knew something was up, but not exactly what. Carl was no help either, as he just helped May in keeping me out of those areas.
About the time supper was ready, I heard a boat, actually a small skiff running up to our dock. Looking out over the deck, I saw Sandra getting out and tying off. I watched as she strolled up the dock and noticed that she had a package under her arm. I knew then that something had been planned for my birthday.
"Hey there beautiful. What's that under your arm?"
"That is none of your business...yet."
