“Trying to hammer out some details of blending mine and Gunnar’s businesses.” Bjørn crossed his ankles and smiled. “You know, list stuff.”
“No.” Her mock gasp had him chuckling. “You’re making lists?”
“Trying to.” He pushed off the railing and meandered toward his truck.
“It’s not going well?” All joking left her voice to be replaced with concern.
Man, she was something else. A firecracker full of life, dreams, and energy all precariously balanced like spinning plates, yet willing to add another to help someone else. He might as well pack her up and take her to meet Ma and Dad, because he was taking Gunnar’s advice and letting this relationship soar.
“Well, I can’t seem to stop thinking about a certain dog trainer I know long enough to get any work done.” He kicked his tire, a little nervous about what she’d say.
“Is that so?” Her amusement was tinged with a breathlessness that injected him with boldness.
“I miss you.” He leaned his back against his truck and stared off toward the jagged mountains.
“I miss you too.”
Her low, throaty whisper made him wish he could pull her close, run his fingers through her hair, and kiss her senseless. He had to focus and get some work done. If he could convince her to let him cook her dinner, he’d greet her with all the pent-up energy thoughts of her had created with a kiss she’d remember.
He cleared his throat. “I wanted to see how the shoot went.”
“It went amazing.” Her joy rushed through the phone, and he could picture her hands swinging wide with excitement. “I got barreled over by this rogue dog named Lovebug and landed in an enormous pile of poo.”
“Okay.” He shook his head with a laugh, not seeing how that could be amazing.
“Well, that wasn’t great. Disgusting, actually.” She took a breath so deep and loud he could hear it through the phone. “I didn’t have time to go home and change, so I either had to do the shoot with poop smeared all down my back or take off my sweatshirt.”
Bjørn’s throat got tight. From what she’d said the day before, she never let anyone see her scars. That must’ve been horrible for her.
“Bjørn, no one cared about my scars.” Shock filled her voice. “They barely gave them a second glance.”
Bjørn closed his eyes and sagged against the hot metal. He’d told her the truth the day before when he said her scars were beautiful, but people could sometimes look on just the outside without seeing past the skin. He never imagined he’d feel such relief to hear her confidence in herself.
“That’s because they aren’t that bad, and those whose opinions matter know what an amazing person you are.” He prayed her experiences showing her scars continued to be as uplifting as they’d been so far. “So, my TV starlet…” He smiled as she snorted. “Do you have any plans tonight?”
“That depends.” Her tone turned all coy-like, and his heart about burst from his chest. “There’s this chopper pilot that I’m hoping to see. Real nice guy. I think you’d like him.”
“Unless you’re talking about me, I’d hate him.” Bjørn pushed off from the truck and meandered to the house. “What if I make you dinner, and we go for a walk along the Lost Lake Trail afterwards?”
“That sounds perfect. Does six work?”
“I’ll be ready. I can’t wait to see you.” Bjørn needed to get his work done with Gunnar so he could run by the store and get home.
“Me too. I gotta go. The puppies got loose. Bye.” Sadie hollered, and the call cut off.
Bjørn stared at his phone, a lightness filling him like helium, replacing the anxiousness of earlier. He shoved it into his pocket and whistled the rest of the way to the house. Now that things were going great with Sadie, he just needed to find a way to get Will to see that Bjørn could be depended on.
His steps slowed as he pulled open the front door. With Will’s cousin, a decorated officer of the Air Force, spreading rumors about Bjørn, that might be a tough mission. He pressed his lips together as a headache formed. He didn’t want to fight the battle for his reputation that botched mission had created again. Wasn’t once enough?