Chapter 19
Leif tied up at a downtown slip in Tvedestrand on the mainland and secured the skiff that he’d towed. The tow was for a longtime customer, and they’d arranged to meet at the Seilloftet Bistro to take care of paperwork and grab lunch together.
The Seilloftet was a local haunt known for its boiled cod and potatoes.
It was tucked into a long row of century-old white clapboard storefronts bordering the cobblestone wharf.
The wide windows gave diners a clear view of the ferry’s comings and goings.
Leif pushed open the door and scanned the two dozen tables but didn’t see his customer.
That was fine with him; he was in no hurry to return to work with Erik.
He was so damn grouchy lately, even for him.
Never mind interrupting Leif’s date with Ella last night—today, Erik had flooded Leif with invoices and paperwork that he didn’t want to do himself, and his foul mood showed no signs of improving anytime soon.
As Leif sat down at the bar, a familiar spicy floral scent enveloped him. A hand rested on his arm, and a charm shaped like the letter C dangled from a gold bracelet. Charlotte.
“Just the man I wanted to see,” Charlotte said. “I should be angry at you for leaving the summer party to go after that tourist, but buy me a glass of champagne and I’ll forgive you.”
She was astute enough to position her cleavage where it would do her the most good.
“I don’t have time.” Leif dragged his eyes away. Drinks with Charlotte always led to sex. Exceptional sex, true, with no strings attached, but now he could only think of Ella.
She pouted her lips. “Oh, that’s too bad. I just had a house sale fall through and I lost a big commission. I could use some cheering up. One drink. Pretty please.” Charlotte was sexy as hell, but she couldn’t hold a candle to Sunna.
“Nah, I’m just waiting for a customer then heading straight back to work.
Erik’s expecting me.” He poked at the warm wax on the candle in front of him.
It was the same ruby-red color as the dress that Ella had worn to his house last night.
He was thinking ahead to picking up where they left off—with his hands running through her hair and over her soft curves.
Her kisses turned him inside out with want.
He moved Charlotte’s hand from where it rested on his thigh. “Stop it, I have a customer coming. And I told you, I can’t.”
“Oh, come on! It’s been a terrible week.
Two house sales fell through, and my car ran out of gas.
My niece, Hannah, broke her elbow. And Bugs Bunny chewed through my purse and found my chocolate, so I had to rush him to the veterinarian.
I could really use a friend right now, and just . . . you know, chill out for a second.”
After inquiring sufficiently about her niece and rabbit and determining that they were both on the mend, he softened a bit.
“Fine, just one drink though, nothing more.” He motioned for the bartender, ordered a glass of champagne for Charlotte and his favorite Norwegian beer, Ringnes Sommer?l.
Before he had time to react, she planted a wet kiss on his mouth.
As he pulled away in surprise, he looked beyond Charlotte’s shoulder, out the panoramic window overlooking the pedestrian street, and choked.
Ella stood frozen outside the window, staring straight at him.
He could see the hurt in her eyes, and his heart lurched.
He wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her, rest her head against his chest, and let her know she was safe.
Charlotte drew a hot-pink nail across his chest, and in a blink, Ella was gone.
“Was that Asta Nilsen? Inger told me that she stole her scotch!”
“Her name is Ella. And no, she didn’t steal Inger’s liquor—Inger left it at her house, dammit!” He was upset at everyone but Ella and wanted to run after her to explain, but he had no clue what to say without making it worse.
“Well, I want that property listing,” Charlotte continued. “Ringpynten’s worth a small fortune.”
Leif caught the bartender’s eye and slammed a handful of bills on the counter. “Keep the change.” He’d reschedule the customer. Maybe if he hurried, he could find Ella.
“Slow down, lover boy,” she protested, sipping her champagne. “Let a girl finish her drink first.”
“No, I told you, I’m busy. Gotta run.”
Charlotte scoffed as he rushed outside, but there was no sign of Ella.