Will shifted on his feet and placed his fists on his hips. “Well?”
Bjørn huffed a short, humorless laugh, shaking his head in disappointment. He had looked forward to helping with SAR, had been dreaming about it almost as long as he had about joining the military. It had always been the plan: get training in the military to be the best pilot he could, then use that training to save lives back home. Looked like that dream was blown from the sky, falling in a fiery ball of dashed hopes to the ground.
Bjørn pulled out his wallet and threw more than enough money on the table to cover dinner. “I should—”
“Dad, back off, okay?” Sadie placed her hand on top of Bjørn’s, and he froze.
“John said not to trust him.” Will’s finger pointed at Bjørn and fired hurt straight to his heart.
“Well, John’s wrong.” Sadie pushed from the booth and squared off with her dad. “You even said he doesn’t have specifics. I’m taking your advice, you know, the one you drilled into us as children?” She poked the big man in the chest. “Judge people by their actions, not by others’ opinions. Remember that one? Or does that no longer apply?”
Man, she was a firecracker. Bjørn didn’t want to cause this family fight, but her defense of him shifted his resentment to hopefulness. She snagged all her maps from the table and shoved them into her backpack.
“Come on, Bjørn.” The fire in her eyes sparked excitement in him. “This place isn’t the best for planning.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him from the booth. “Too many annoying distractions.”
She glared at her dad as she dragged Bjørn toward the door. He should stay and explain to Will what had happened, but if Will believed every rumor that came across his path, then maybe Bjørn didn’t want to mess with the drama that created. Besides, the firecracker had her hand clutched in his, shooting sparks up his arm. Hopefully, following her didn’t blow up in his face.