Chapter Ten
Bjørn wentthrough his pre-flight checklist for the third time. Will’s accusations from the night before still had Bjørn on edge, wanting to make sure everything checked off perfectly, so there’d be no mistakes. His tour should arrive within the next ten minutes. Even though it was a simple flight to the glacier for a picnic and back, his nerves still frayed a bit on the edges.
He tossed the clipboard onto the pilot’s seat and huffed. Pushing his hand through his hair, he stared out at the calm water of Resurrection Bay, trying to suppress his disappointment. How could that mission that had ended his military career with an ashy taste in his mouth have followed him home? What if Will started spreading word about Bjørn not being trustworthy? He’d have to pull up roots and move again.
He kicked a rock into the grass. He liked it there. Liked the small-town community and how the mountains towered right out of the sea. More than anything, he enjoyed being around Sadie and her abundance of energy and drive.
He closed his eyes and thought of the feel of her soft skin beneath his fingertips as he’d rubbed lazy circles across her hand. Her look of adoration as he’d poured out his soul had eased his muscles, bound tight with stress. He still couldn’t believe he’d told her all that. He’d only ever told the military counselor.
They’d stayed on that bench, sitting in silence for at least half an hour. Her head resting on his shoulder and her warmth against his side had pushed the bitter memories aside. The feeling had lingered after walking back hand in hand and long into the night. The thought of her quiet acceptance and instant defense even made falling asleep easier, like she stood at the door to his mind, guarding against memories that liked to twist and torment his dreams.
Bjørn had to fix Will’s opinion of him. He didn’t want to come between Sadie and Will, but he also wasn’t willing to leave what was building between him and Sadie. He hated defending himself, but he’d tell Will what happened if it would help. Hopefully, Will would see reason. But Bjørn knew that once a reputation was earned, it was hard to shed it.
His phone rang in his pocket. He pulled it out, his eyebrows winging up in surprise at seeing Will’s name on the screen. His hands slicked with sweat, and he hated that this situation made him this nervous.
“Hello?” He walked around his chopper to ease his tension.
“Bjørn? Will, here.” Will’s words clipped out fast and short. “A plane spotted a boat wreck. The pilot circled the island but couldn’t see any survivors. It’s in a tricky spot, shallow waters and lots of reef to get caught on. Think you can fly a team in?”
Bjørn’s knee-jerk reaction was to say no, especially without any kind of apology from Will for the night before. However, people could be dying. Bjørn couldn’t not go, even if he had a problem with Will.
“I have to make a few phone calls, rearrange a tour, but, yeah, I’ll be ready when your team gets here.” Bjørn grabbed the clipboard from his seat and flipped to the client’s information.
Will grunted. “Appreciate it. The team is on the way.”
“Okay.”
“Keep in contact.” Will clipped out the reply.
“Yep.” With Bjørn’s answer, Will hung up.
Bjørn didn’t know what to think. Was Will’s declaration to Sadie that Bjørn couldn’t be trusted just regarding her, or did Will just have no other options for this rescue mission? Bjørn shook off his confusion and pulled up his buddy’s number. Hopefully, he wasn’t busy today and could take his tour.
Bjørn was just ending the call with his clients, explaining the situation and the need to change to a new pilot, when Sadie pulled up with Violet and Kemp. He waved, his heart doing a ridiculous dance in his chest at the sight of Sadie smiling through the windshield at him.
Drew’s SUV pulled in behind Sadie with Bo, the cameraman. They were taking a chance with taping this rescue mission? Bjørn marched up to Sadie’s vehicle as she clipped a leash to Rowdy’s collar and let him out.
His mind raced with the anxiety that often happened before an intense mission. He acknowledged its presence, then pushed it aside, letting it simmer in the back of his brain. From his years of experience, he knew he couldn’t smother it completely. In fact, the constant burn of it kept him sharp and focused on what needed done.
“Drew’s coming?” Bjørn nodded at Drew over the top of her car.
“Yeah.” Sadie pulled on her sleeves as her gaze darted to Drew and back. “He was at the kennel when we got the call and thought a rescue would be perfect for the show. It was already part of the contract, with us training SAR dogs and all, though we made sure the people we rescue will be given the chance to decline their segment being aired. Plus, Drew and the cameramen should be good at noticing things, so I figured the extra help couldn’t hurt.”
“That’s true.” Bjørn bent and rubbed Rowdy’s ears, keeping his voice cheerful. “Think Rowdy is ready for this? We haven’t done the training we talked about.”
“I don’t know.” Sadie bit her lip and frowned. “He did well the other day and seems excited to be here. He’s great with rescues, really catches things all of us miss, so I hate to not take him.” Her forehead wrinkled, and she ran her hand over her face. “Maybe it’s better to leave him in the car and have Aurora or Denali come get him.”
Bjørn hated that he’d made her doubt. That hadn’t been his intention. It was just not the way they had planned. Would he always stick with his stupid lists? He wanted to be more like Sadie, grabbing opportunities as they came. Not always writing out the pros and cons with a detailed action plan. He slid his hand along her shoulders, relishing how her muscles relaxed at his touch.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Bjørn pulled her in a sideways hug before letting go. “Rowdy is amazing, and he’ll do just about anything for you.” The dog wasn’t the only one. “Even if the flight stresses him out a little, I’m sure once we touch down, you’ll get him calmed down.”
“You’re right.” Sadie nodded with determination. “You ready for us to load up?”
“Yep.” Bjørn walked backward toward the chopper. “Welcome to Rebel Air, your adventure in the Alaskan skies.”
Violet chuckled as she stepped up next to Sadie. Sadie glanced at Violet and shook her head, rolling her eyes. He remembered how, in the military, joking with whatever special ops unit he was transporting helped ease the stress of the coming mission and relax the nerves a little, so he leaned on that experience, hoping it worked in the SAR missions too.
“The copilot seat is reserved for the smartest in the bunch.” He pointed at Drew who held a small camera pointing at Bjørn. “Drew, that means you’re out.”
“Oh, burn.” Violet clapped and skipped toward the chopper, shooting finger guns at Drew.
Drew turned the camera around. “A man can’t get any love around here.”
Violet climbed into the door, crouched down, and motioned everyone close. “Gather up, everyone. Let’s have a quick prayer, then get in the air.” She smiled a one-sided grin. “Since I’m obviously the smartest, evidence that wonderful poem, I ride shotgun.”
Violet bowed her head. Bjørn followed suit, only to jump when Sadie’s hand slid into his. He squeezed it when she went to pull away and wrapped his other around it, so hers was sandwiched in between his. Violet’s impassioned prayer for the lives of those lost and that the SAR team would have eyes to see them settled the last of Bjørn’s doubts. No matter what Will believed, Bjørn would help, as long as he could.