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The bell dinged over the door as Anna pulled it open. She took pause at the sound and looked around. At first glance, the store looked exactly as it had from her childhood. Wood lined the walls and ceilings matching the cedar siding on the outside of the building. T-shirts ran across the top of the long back wall, all beckoning tourists to purchase them. The racks leading over to the checkout were full of snacks and hats for anyone unfortunate to have forgotten their own. Anna walked over reading all the fronts of the baseball caps. She had to use all her self-control to not grab the pink and black one that read ‘Boat Waves, Sun Rays and Torch Lake Days’.
After closer inspection, much had changed to Pabbie’s. New floors, a quick serve area that had about every grab and go food you could think of, and most importantly, a bakery and ice cream counter all filled out the large space.
She was flipping through a rack of sweatshirts when a voice called out. “On your left, Red.”
Anna jumped out of the way as a man passed her quickly carrying two large boxes over his shoulder.
“Sven!” A middle-aged woman called, following quickly behind him.
“Gotta go. We’re on fire today!”
“You tell him I need his order today before 5.”
“I’ll try.”
“Do it or you’ll be out of luck next weekend! No pilfering from the store when you run out of supplies anymore. It’s messing up my books!”
“Love you too, Bulda!” He said, flashing her a grin then disappearing out the front door.
The woman stopped next to Anna, put her hands on her hips and sighed. “Those two will be the death of me, I swear.”
“Everything ok?”
The woman looked at Anna and smiled. “It gets busier earlier every summer. Used to be until the third week of June when the water got warm when the crowds started, but we’ve been running full steam since before Memorial Day.”
“Wow. That early?”
“Who would have thought? Guess we aren’t the best kept secret of Michigan anymore.” The woman took a long look at Anna. “Anything I can help you with?”
Anna glanced out the window at the marina. “I actually had a question about an installation for a dock. Do I need to go next door?”
The woman waved her hand. “No need for that. Follow me.”
Anna followed her over to a counter at the other end of the room. The sign above it on the wall read ‘Torch Lake Marina’. There was all sorts of literature on boat rentals and storage and marine services on the counter.
“I didn’t realize the marina was part of Pabbie’s. I had to double check the address when saw it.”
“We purchased it a few years ago. Now what can I do for you?”
“I need to schedule a dock installation.”
Anna gave her the information and after a few minutes she had a time for the next week for the Marina to come out.
“Arendelle. Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in years. There was a family that had a place on Cherry Road named Arendelle. Are you any relation to them?”
“Yes. That’s me… I mean that’s my family. My parents owned the house. We used to come up here a long time ago.”
“I remember your father. He was in here all the time with the boat in the summers. Got along well with my father. How is your family doing?”
That was all it took. One simple question and Anna was off, spilling her guts to a stranger. She explained her parents' passing five years prior and the over ten-year absence due to her parent’s intense focus on her sister’s health. But Anna was back with a vision for the house and being up at the lake this summer was just what she needed. Internally she was screaming at herself to just stop talking. But Bulda kept asking her questions and seemed genuinely interested in what she was saying that Anna just couldn’t stop.
“That all sounds amazing, dear. You must keep me updated with how things are going. Can I give you one piece of advice?”
“Sure.”
“Make sure to take a minute to breathe now and then. You can blink and the entire summer will be over.”
“I will. Some friends from home are coming up tomorrow. I think we are going to head over to the sandbar. It should be fun!”
“Or at least entertaining. The sandbar on the weekend is always good for that.”
-------
This wasn’t what Anna had envisioned for a day out on the water. The morning had started fine. Anna was thrilled to be back out on the water again. To understand the depths of Torch Lake’s beauty and appreciate its deep aqua and turquoise colors, you really had to take it in with your own eyes on the lake. It was even fun at first when they anchored at the sandbar. But things took a turn for the worse as the day went on.
They anchored with a group of boats and the faces were all familiar. The uppity groups she remembered from school, all in the same social circles her family were in hadn’t changed a bit. They played their music too loud, drank too much and Anna quickly remembered why she left Ann Arbor as soon as she could. As much as she was trying to rekindle old relationships, perhaps some of them were better left as old friends.
Fending wanting to check out more of the sandbar, Anna decided to venture away from the group. It was easy getting around. Barring the occasional deep spot, the water wasn’t more than up to her thighs most of the time and in some stretches it was only at her ankles. There was over two miles to walk if she wanted, but Anna was on a mission.
Rumor was there was a pontoon that served food on the sandbar. She didn’t really believe it, but she was intrigued enough to go in search of it. After a few questions and only getting turned around twice between all the boats she looked up at the large yellow and black sign that read ‘Burger Barge’ stretched across the pontoon.
After spotting what looked like the area to order, Anna went up the side of the boat. As soon as the person in front of her was handed the foil wrapped sandwich, she stepped up closer. “I’ll have a burger. That’s all you have, right? Or is there something else?”
The man up at the boat was in front of the grill. He didn’t bother to look up. “A little busy here.”
“I can wait. How long do you think?”
He pointed his spatula down to the end of the boat. “Order in the back, princess. Just like everyone else.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I saw you hand a burger to someone. I thought-“
“Does it look like I take orders here?” he snapped. “Do you see the prices anywhere? You think I’m going to handle everyone’s money and cook all the food at the same time?”
“I’m sorry, I-“
“Do I know you?” He had stopped what he was doing and was staring at her now.
“Excuse me?” Anna tried to make out his features, but his blond bangs hung over a wide bandana covering his forehead and sunglasses obscured his eyes.
“Do I know you,” he said slower, dropping his sunglasses down to get a better look. His brown eyes glared over at her.
Anna crossed her arms in front of her, annoyed at the tone he was taking with her. “You most certainly do not!”
He grinned, which only infuriated Anna. “Good. Line’s at the back of the boat. Get moving.” He pointed again and went back to flipping the food on the grill.
“Well maybe I don’t want to eat here anymore.”
“Suit yourself. Good luck finding something else to eat out here.”
“Rude,” Anna said under her breath. She went to walk away because he did not deserve her business. But her stomach rumbled in protest and what other option did she have?
The line was long and snaked behind a few other boats. It only gave Anna time to stew on the conversation and what an absolute ass the cook had been.
“Hey, Red! From Pabbie’s right?”
Anna was almost taken back at the smiling face in front of her. “Yes. Sven? Did I get that right? I think that’s what the owner called you.”
“You got it. I’m always having someone chase me down calling my name. What can I get you?”
Anna bit her bottom lip looking at the choices. “What do you recommend- the chicken sandwich or the burger?”
“You can’t go wrong with anything, but,” Sven leaned forward. “We’ve got the best burgers on the lake. Trust me, I know the cook.”
“Oh, him.”
Sven glanced behind him then back at Anna. “From here or…somewhere else?”
“A few minutes ago.”
Sven’s face relaxed and he smiled again. “Don’t mind Kris. His bark is worse than his bite.”
“I don’t plan on talking to him again, but thanks.”
“Stick with me Red this summer at the Burger Barge. I won’t steer you wrong.” Sven handed her the burger and a canned drink. “The Coke’s on me. For your pain and suffering.” He winked at her before turning away to take the next customer’s order.
------
The truck pulled onto the driveway, the long trailer behind it making a metallic rattle against the sections of dock it was carrying. Anna got up from her chair on the beach and threw on a shirt over her bikini top, not bothering to button it up. Old shorts and cover up seemed appropriate enough to meet with the dock installers. She was halfway back to the house when two men got out of the truck.
“I don’t know. Go ring the doorbell.”
The voice that got out of the passenger side was familiar, but he was turned away from Anna. She jogged over, waving her hand. “No need. I’m here.”
“Red!” Sven turned and grinned. “We keep running into each other!”
“Hi Sven. And it’s Anna. Anna Arendelle.”
Sven tipped his hat. “Pleased to meet you, Anna…officially that is. How was the burger?”
“Best one I’ve had in years.”
Sven laughed. “I knew it!” He pointed across the truck. “I think you’ve met my business partner.”
Anna looked through the windows of the truck and recognized him immediately. He was standing there with his head down, clearly not happy.
“Oh no.”
Sven bumped Anna’s shoulder. “Relax. If it makes you feel any better, he’s probably freaking out right now.”
Anna giggled as she looked through the window again and saw the man take a deep breath and go to walk around the truck.
“Anna, Kristoff,” Sven said as he introduced them.
“Ma’am,” Kristoff said.
There was a part of Anna that was pleased with how nervous he looked, but she decided to let him off the hook. “Just Anna please.”
Kristoff nodded. “Anna, could you show us where you want the dock?”
A few minutes later, Sven and Kristoff were rolling the sections of the dock down to the beach. Anna took her place back on the beach and picked up her notebook. Sven made small talk with Anna as she went through her plans for the house. Kristoff, on the other hand, kept his words short and only talked to Sven about what they were working on. Still, Anna found herself drawn to Kristoff, watching him from behind her sunglasses. He was easy to keep an eye on, watching him work in the water with just his swim trunks on, the muscles in his back flexing against the weight of the dock. A girl could get used to a view like that.
“Pay no attention to my rude friend,” Sven said as he leveled the two closest sections of the dock together. “He doesn’t like talking to anyone who isn’t a local.”
“I’m a local.”
Kristoff barked a sharp laugh. “For what, five minutes?”
“Ok. Then how long until I’m considered local.”
“Make it past Labor Day and we’ll talk.”
A little later Sven ran back to the marina to pick up extra posts, leaving Anna and Kristoff alone. Anna watched as Kristoff looked like he was mulling something over. After a few minutes he took a deep breath.
“I’d like to apologize for how I talked to you on Saturday. It was rude and unprofessional, and I shouldn’t have done it.”
“No you shouldn’t have.”
“The guy in front of you was trying to scam me for a free burger. Said the order was wrong. It wasn’t. What a crook.”
Anna laughed remembering the scowl on Kristoff’s face. “Apology accepted.”
“Thanks.”
“So, you aren’t just the Burger Barge’s master chef, I see,” Anna said as she watched Kristoff work.
“That’s just a weekend gig Sven and I came up with to make extra money when we were in college. It just took off and we haven’t stopped. I run the marina most of the time.”
“So that’s connected to Pabbies?”
Kristoff nodded. “Family business. It was my grandfather’s. My mom and dad took it over when I was kid and have been running it for years now. We bought the marina when I came on full time after school.”
“We used to go there all the time. It’s one of the good memories I have of my childhood. Spending time on the lake and going over to Pabbies to get a snack was the highlight of my summers. I was so sad when we stopped coming up to the lake.”
Kristoff was leaning against one of the posts now, watching Anna. “So, what are you doing here?”
“What do you mean?”
“Its just you in this giant house by yourself? Seems like a waste.”
“My sister didn’t want to deal with it anymore. It's all part of her freeing herself from worldly possessions process she’s going through. I couldn’t bear the idea of selling it and I needed a fresh start, so I bought out her half from her.”
“So, you’re just here with no plans?”
“If you must know, I do have plans. I’m updating the house and turning it into a bed and breakfast. And I’m going to run it.”
“Great. For more rich tourists to find the lake.”
Anna shook her head. “No. I want it to be affordable. I want people to bring their families and get to enjoy the lake like I did as a child. I want them to have those memories. As many people as possible. There’s so much land on the property, I was thinking of eventually expanding if it goes well. Maybe even hosting weddings. This house was built to be filled with joy and laughter of many people. I feel it in my bones.”
Kristoff went back to anchoring one of the posts. “Sounds ambitious.” Anna was about to argue with him when he added. “But nice. We need more of that around here.”
-----
Anna wasn’t exactly sure why she was nervous, but she was pacing up and down the landing outside of Pabbie’s waiting for Kristoff. They had struck up a bit of a working relationship, with Kristoff working on several smaller outdoor projects on the house as the main work inside was being done. She looked forward every day when he strolled onto the property after his work at the marina, often staying for dinner when she absolutely insisted. He seemed less and less resistant to stay every time she asked.
Today was the most excited she’d been all summer. Her boat had arrived at the marina and Kristoff called her that morning saying it was ready for her to pick up. Now she was waiting for her to bring it around and take it out for a test run.
“Need a lift?”
Anna spun around only to see Kristoff pulling up along the landing with a big grin on his face. He put the boat in neutral and waved at her to come over to the edge. In one strong movement, Kristoff lifted her at the waist and into the boat. Anna let out a small squeak when he put her down, breathless at how effortless Kristoff made that look.
He went slowly out of the marina area and past the no wake zone of the sand bar. As soon as they were past the buoy, he turned to Anna. “I’ll take it out then show you where everything is. Then it’s all yours.”
“Sounds great!”
“Where to?”
“Anywhere.”
“Want me to open it up? This baby goes fast.”
“Yes! I love to go fast!”
Kristoff gave her another grin and let open the throttle.
-----
They were out in the middle of the lake where Anna had stopped the boat. She was laying on the back of the boat without a care in the world. The water had been too tempting, and she couldn’t resist jumping in. Safely that is, Kristoff insisted on her wearing her life jacket out in the open water. Now she was laying on the towel, stretched out enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun.
Anna felt Kristoff’s eyes on her, but she didn’t dare look over.
Kristoff leaned back on the seat, stretching his legs out. “We’ll get the boatlift put in tomorrow then I’ll bring the boat over.”
“Sounds like a plan. Hey, I need an opinion.”
“Ok.”
“How many boats do you think I should have for next summer? I want the guests to be able to go out on the lake and enjoy it. I was thinking about one pontoon, but is that enough?”
“You want my honest opinion?”
“Duh. That’s why I asked you?”
“None.”
Anna lifted her head and looked at Kristoff. “Wait, what? None?”
“You heard me. Boats are a lot of work and you already have one. What you need is kayaks and paddle boards, a couple canoes and maybe a raft for swimming. That’s all. Keep it non-motorized.”
“But don’t you think I should have something?”
“Not everyone will want to use them. Plus, the expense of keeping them up and the insurance is only going to force you to keep your rates higher.”
“Mmm, suppose you’re right…for once.”
“Watch it.”
Anna pondered her options for a few minutes before sitting up, stretching and wrapping the towel around her. “I’ll just have to recommend Torch Lake Marina as our exclusive source for rentals.”
“I think we may be able to work a deal out with…wait, have you come up with a name for the B&B yet?”
“Working on it.” Anna looked up at the afternoon sun, wishing the day could last longer. “I suppose we should head back. I’ve kept you out too long.”
“I didn’t mind. It was nice spending the time with you. Let’s just hope Sven Actually did some work while I was gone.”
Anna tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “It was nice today, wasn’t it?”
“Hey Anna?”
“Mmm?”
“I won’t be able to come out to the house for a few days.”
She sat down in one of the seats, feeling a sense of disappointment that she wouldn’t be seeing Kristoff, but also that he hadn’t asked her something different.
“Of course. Is everything alright?”
“Just gearing up for the 4th. It’s going to be hectic. Sven and I are going to be out on the boat at the sandbar all week. I wish we could both grow an extra set of arms its going to be so busy. But I’ll see you for the fireworks if you still want to go.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Oh wait! I just had the best idea!”
“What?”
“Do you trust me?”
------
“Who thought this was a good idea?” Kristoff was tapping on the wheel of the pontoon waiting at the landing at Pabbie’s.
“This was all you, my friend,” Sven said with a laugh. “Relax. Anna will be fine, and we need all the help we can get this week.”
“She’s late. We should have left by now.”
“Five minutes isn’t going to change anything.”
“Have you seen the boats out there already?”
Sven rolled his eyes then pointed to the parking lot. “There she is.”
“What the hell is she carrying?”
“I’m here!” Anna yelled walking as fast as she could with the large cardboard box. As soon as she got to the boat, Sven grabbed the box and helped her step on. Kristoff was already in the process of untying the ropes and started moving before Anna sat down.
“Don’t mind him, Red,” Sven said. “He’ll calm down once we get anchored in a good spot. What did you bring?”
Anna smiled. “I’ll show you as soon as we get set up.”
She took the short time it took to ferry out to the sandbar to relax. Anna wasn’t sure what Kristoff’s reaction was going to be with the surprise, but she hoped he was open to it.
“Absolutely not.” Kristoff shook his head when Anna showed him the t-shirts that read ‘Burger Barge Torch Lake’ on them with a silhouette of the pontoon.
“Why?” Anna and Sven whined simultaneously.
“How are we going to sell those and the food? And I don’t have the money to pay you for those, Anna.”
“Relax. You have me to help and I promise I won’t sell a single shirt that gets in the way of the food orders.”
“No one’s going to want those.”
“Wanna bet? You take care of the burgers and I’ll stay out of your way and help sell these. You can pay me back out of the profits from the shirt sales. If they don’t sell, I’ll eat the cost.”
Sven and Anna stood there holding their breaths. Finally, Kristoff relented, his face softening. “Ok, but the food is a priority.”
“Aye, aye, captain.”
“Don’t start.”
-----
The fire was soothing as Anna sat near it on the double swing. She was bone tired from working these last few days on the pontoon and staying up for the fireworks tonight. But it was a good tired. An ache from an honest day’s work and pure satisfaction. Kristoff came over and sat next to her. He handed her a stack of bills.
“What’s this?”
“Your cut from the week.”
“I don’t need-“
“You earned it. We made more than ever, even splitting it three ways. There’s also the money for the shirts.”
Anna gave Kristoff an impish grin. “I already placed another order. Told you we’d sell out.”
“You were right, and I was wrong.”
“Mmm say that again.”
Kristoff nudged Anna. “Seriously. Thank you for helping us.”
“Anytime.” She rested her head on Kristoff’s shoulder. “How do you do this all the time.”
“You get used to it. Its only for a few weeks in the summer then it quiets down.
“Still impressive.” Anna looked over at the property’s dock and noted the flags flying. “So, who’s the Michigan State fan?”
“Oh that? It’s where I went to school.”
Anna chuckled. “My dad would not be happy with you.”
“University of Michigan alum?”
“Worse, he was the president of the school.”
“The president? Let me guess. You and your sister followed suit.”
“My sister went full ivy league. I pushed back against every expectation and went to Ohio State.”
“Ohio State?! That’s treason. I’d tell you to fly that flag at your place, but it would be like putting a target on your back.”
“Guess I should fly the Michigan State flag then.”
“Nope. Not allowed unless you have someone that lives there.”
“Maybe one day,” Anna said through a yawn as her eyes closed.
The next thing she remembered were warm strong arms carrying her back to the truck to take her home.
-------
“I can’t believe how much nicer it is on the sandbar today!” Anna looked around. There were people, but the masses were gone. There were places to move and not a drunken party every ten feet.
Kristoff was sitting on the back platform of Anna’s boat, legs hanging in the water. “Sven, tell Anna the rules of the sandbars for the locals. Since she isn’t one, she needs to know.”
Sven came over to the group and hopped up on the platform. “Rule 1!” He called out. “Never go to the sandbar on the weekend!” Everyone raised their drinks and cheered. “Rule 2. Stay away from the west side. Only tourists go there! Rule 3. Don’t act like an asshole! And Rule 4. The most important of them all. Don’t engage with the tourists!” Everyone cheered. “Here’s to making it through August everyone. One more week and the summer season is officially done.”
They all clinked their glasses together in solidarity.
The rest of the day was a blast. Anna spent her time talking to everyone, playing games and even making plans to meet up with a few of the girls the next week. It had taken all summer, but Anna felt that she was finally starting to feel at home. She found herself walking with Kristoff later. She also found herself being a little flirtier than usually, a little more playful than normal. Maybe it was her comfort level, maybe it was their seclusion away from the group. Whatever it was, Kristoff didn’t seem to mind.
“I bet I can.”
“No way.”
“Three tries.”
“Three. That’s it. Then you have to admit you can’t do it.’
“Deal,” Anna said in agreement. “Now hold your hands out like that. Remember if you take a step, then I win.”
“And what do you win?” The grin on Kristoff felt dangerous. Anna didn’t want him to stop.
“I’ll tell you after I win.”
She squared herself up to Kristoff, lined her hands up with his, pulled them back and then pushed as hard as she could, contacting his palms. Kristoff stumbled back, surprised at Anna’s force. But then he took another step back, losing his balance as he stumbled and fell into a deep spot on the sandbar.
Anna was doubled over in laughter when he came out of the water soaked and hair flattened down past his eyebrows. “You think that’s funny?” he said, brushing his hair back with his hands.
“N-no, no!” Anna said, trying to talk and laugh at the same time. “I got you. I totally got you!”
“I’ll show you something funny!”
Anna didn’t stand a chance. She screamed in laughter as Kristoff scooped her up and ran. “Kristoff, put me down!”
“Oh, you want down?”
“Yes!”
“Ok.”
Kristoff unceremoniously threw Anna off the edge of the sandbar. Anna screamed, hitting the water. She didn’t stay under long, a strong arm grabbing her, bringing her up. Kristoff was standing just where Anna couldn’t touch the bottom. He held her tight, his hands wrapped around her bare waist.
“You dirty rat. I won.”
“Yeah, what are you going to do about it?”
They didn’t move, locked close together. Anna’s breath hitched at the way Kristoff was looking at her with a want in his eyes. She gave into it too, closing her eyes, leaning in ever so.
“Kris! Anna! Where are you? Time to go! We’re heading out!”
Anna broke away from Kristoff, the moment lost. “We should head back,” she said, walking back to the boat without waiting for him.
-----
“Oh hi, dear.” Bulda was restocking the shelves with shirts. “Anything you need?”
“I was actually looking for Kristoff. Is he over at the marina?”
“He took off early to do some work over at my house for me.”
“How’s he been?” Anna was following Bulda around as she went to clean up the counter near the bakery section.
“Fine. A little quiet. But nothing unusual. Why? Is there something I should be concerned with?”
“No. I just haven’t seen him since before Labor Day and I was wondering how he was.” Anna looked down, wringing her hands. “Bulda, can I ask you a question?”
“Anytime dear.”
“Have you ever tried to do something that you wanted to do, I mean really want to, but then miss your opportunity? And then make it worse because you doubt yourself and over analyze everything. Then make it weird and even more worse by avoiding it all together?”
Bulda stopped what she was working on to listen to Anna. “I don’t know about anything that specific, but I will say that holding something back never helps. Best to just get out what you need to do and move along. Otherwise, it festers.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Anna turned to look across the street at the home on the lake. “So next door?”
Bulda nodded. “In the backyard.”
She knew he saw her, pretending not to notice, then giving in and walking over to the swing.
“Hey.”
Anna patted the seat. “Sit with me.”
He sat, dropping the weight of his body the last few inches with a weary sigh. Neither of them said anything at first as they slowly swayed back and forth.
“Anna, I'm sorry.”
“Kris, there’s nothing to be sorry about."
“But there is. I’m sorry if I read something wrong and made you uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t.”
“Then why have you been ignoring me?”
Anna turned to face Kristoff. “The house is finished and the permits came this week. I think I can start having guests this fall. I just need to get the staff up and running and the marketing done.”
“That’s great. But I don’t understand what that has anything to do with what we’re talking about.”
“It does. The house. The project. It’s the first time I’ve ever been able to do something truly for myself. Where I can say this was my idea. This is what I want to do. Do you know how scary that can be?”
“I guess.” Kristoff was leaning forward, elbows on his thighs, clearly concerned with the conversation. When Anna placed her hand on his thigh, he looked up at her.
“There’s other things that I want too. But that’s just as frightening sometimes to trust my feelings.” Anna took Kristoff’s hand and led him to sit back up and face her. “I’m the one who’s sorry. For ignoring you and for ever doubting what I want. Because I know. I truly know there’s nothing more I want right now than you.”
Anna felt Kristoff's whole body go from rigid and defensive to relaxed. He grinned at her, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. “You know I have a rule,” he said resting his head against the back of the swing.
“Still won’t consider me a local. Ridiculous.”
“Well, you did make it past Labor Day, so I guess you are officially a local now.”
“Would you stop talking and kiss me?”
“Gladly.”
His hand cupped Anna’s cheek pulling her into a soft kiss. Anna closed her eyes, grinning through the kiss as she savored the moment, never wanting it to end.
A cool breeze blew in from the lake. Kristoff wrapped Anna tighter in his arms as she shivered. It was a reminder of how quickly things could change and this time Anna welcomed it with arms wide open.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you, I finally have a name for the B&B.”
“What’s that?”
“The Toasted Marshmallow.”
Kristoff let out a hearty laugh.
“You like it?”
Kristoff leaned down lips brushing Annas. “I absolutely love it,” he said before kissing her again.