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Five Years Later
It’s August, high tourist season. Sam is beside himself because the fisherman is late bringing in the day’s catch. The restaurant, which we named Voda—Croatian for water—is booked for dinner clear through mid-October. Seafood is the specialty—mussels, fresh fish, shrimp pasta. If it comes from water, it’s on the menu. Sam will power through with whatever food is available by the dinner hour. Sam’s the best. It was easier than I could have imagined to pry him out of Stehekin, but he’d been the chef at the Ranch for five years and welcomed the adventure. Everyone loves his cooking, and the ladies love Sam. He has foodie groupies that follow the poor guy whenever he’s out and about.
Luka keeps busy. He’s mayor of Split, elected a year after we moved here. I think tonight he has an event, although I can’t keep track of which opening or performance or community gathering he attends. If I schedule things right, I can meet him at the end of the day after my last tour group finishes up.
I started my own business. Tourism. I manage a company that handles everything from walking tours, bicycle tours, kayak tours, boat tours to the islands, blue lagoon and blue cave tours, not to mention the Krka Waterfalls.
We are busy, Luka and me and Sam, the three transplants from Stehekin. We are happy, Luka and me. I can’t speak for Sam, although he says he loves his new life. He came with a commitment of one year, promising to train a chef to take his place. But he never left.
Speaking of Stehekin, Ingrid sent a Stanford graduation invitation to Luka and me. That four years went so fast. She has her bachelor’s degree and is moving back to Washington, first to work with Ryder Yates on his horse ranch in Ellensburg. She’s running the horse camps for kids. I guess she found her calling, and maybe her guy. Ryder’s a hunk—just saying. In late August, she starts her graduate work at the Washington State University at the College of Veterinary Medicine specializing in large animals. Her friend Greta will also attend WSU for her master’s degree in engineering. And I thought she was all talk. I’m happy for both of these smart, strong young women.
West is still gallivanting around the world, kayak racing, and has developed a special fondness for Hawaii. Randy and Kathy are still at the Ranch. Kathy moved into Randy’s home. Randy’s retired but Kathy is still breaking in the new managers.
Luka and I have taken a trip back each year in the spring before the tourist season gets into full swing, both in Stehekin and Split. It’s always a bittersweet visit. I love Stehekin, and maybe, someday, we’ll decide to return.
But for now, Croatia is our home. And we are well.
But... don’t stop here. Please keep reading for more, including our Bonus Content—not just one, but two Special Sneak Previews:
INVISIBLE BY DAY by Teri Fink
and
HANNAH’S VOICE by Robb Grindstaff
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