Page 14 of Midnight Sun

“We’re rescheduling. You can call me tomorrow. Now get lost.”

“Did something happen?”

“What?”

“You look tired. Did something bad happen?”

“No!” James downs his liquor and folds his arms in front of his chest. Everything in his posture screams of defensiveness.

“Good. Then get your things. We’re leaving as planned.”

James’ eyes widen, a flush starting to cover his cheeks. He probably isn’t used to anyone talking back to him. He opens his mouth to argue further, but Finn stops him with a raised hand, his fingers almost touching James’ lips.

“Before you start again about calling Hrafna, I expect you to be professional about this. I’m making the training plan and I’m open to suggestions. Butnotbefore you’ve even tried. So tell your PA to pack your things. You need training and outdoor clothes, not much else. We’re staying in the Highlands for a few days.”

As soon as the words are out of his mouth, Finn wants to get them back in. He’s not the drill sergeant kind of personal trainer and he certainly didn’t plan to go all Dom on James.

But just as Finn has a high tolerance regarding James’ sassy behavior, James doesn’t seem to resent his forwardness. Instead, he blushes fiercely, but does as he’s told. Finn has to shift his stance to hide that his trousers are getting uncomfortably tight. James certainly has no idea how sexy his reluctant submission is.

“Fine,” James snaps. “Then I need to change.” He slams the bedroom door on his way out. For his image as a badass action hero, he’s quite the diva. It’s oddly cute, Finn thinks, and he doesn’t mind the wait. He takes a seat in the living room, looking out over Harpan and the port for a few quiet minutes.

He can still hear James rummaging around in the bedroom, so he pulls out his mobile and checks his weather app andSafeTravel.

On a whim, Finn calls his grandmother. She should be inside to drink her afternoon coffee by now. And maybe Dagur is visiting too. The thought of his brother and grandma sitting in the living room looking out over the fjord, the dogs sleeping at their feet, makes Finn feel a pang of homesickness. He imagines the old phone in the hall of the farmhouse ringing while he listens to the dial tone.

“Finn! So nice to hear from you,”Amma’srough voice answers on the second ring.

“HelloAmma.How are you? Are the horses doing okay?”

“It’s all good up here. The weather is fine for the season. Ida got a foal the other day.”

“That's lovely.” Finn smiles to himself.

“Why don’t you come up and stay a few days? You haven’t been to your lodge for months.”

Driving out to his family’s property is an appealing thought. But he agreed with Hrafna to show James the Highlands.

“We’re staying at Hrafna’s lodge first. But maybe we can make some time to visit you.”

“Tell him to come by soon,” Dagur rumbles in the background as if on cue.

“Your brother wants to see you, too.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll come as soon as I can,” Finn laughs.

“Do that.” His grandma's laughing too.

What would James say to the untamed wilderness of his home, Finn asks himself involuntarily. Would he likeAmma’sfarm, the sheep and the horses?

Finn takes a deep breath.

“I also called to ask you something,Amma. Have you ever been wrong about a person when you felt drawn to them?” Finn knows he isn’t being particularly specific, but he hopes that his grandmother will understand, anyway.

“Are you asking me about the gift?”

“I’m asking you, because I’m not sure if it's that or if I’m imagining things.”

“You know the difference,” his grandma says softly. “And your gift won’t lead you astray.”