Free Oslo Overtures by Marion Ueckermann

thing by exercising restraint.
    Had she wanted him to kiss her?
    Before the sun set on yet another day, he’d find time alone with her, ask her why.
     
     
     
     

8
     
    Early that morning, Anjelica drove herself to the airfield. The air was cooler than it had been since they’d arrived. She felt a pang of regret that the heat wave seemed to be passing.
    Jeremy was there, preparing for the day’s flocking practice, and she ran her idea by him.
    As they walked toward the Skyvan, excitement welled inside her like the rising sun. How would she contain herself and not give anything away before the flight? She turned to him. “So you really think it’s a good idea?”
    “Angel, I think your idea is brilliant. I’m peeved at myself for not thinking of it first. A flickering star at the top of the tree…” He turned to her and pinched her cheeks lightly. “Brilliant.”
    “Jeremy, let’s keep this between us. If Erick or Kyle gets wind of this, they might not approve. Let me show them what I can do.”
    “Of course. But are you confident you can pull this off? I don’t want you putting your life in danger.”
    “Absolutely! Barrel rolls are one of my favorite moves. I’ve practically rolled down the cliffs of Stryn.”
    Jeremy laughed. “You mean flew down with barrel rolls? If you rolled down in the sky, like you’d do on a grassy hill, you’d be dead.” His eyes widened. He put his hand to his mouth. “Oh, Angel, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… Kristoff must still be a sensitive issue.”
    Anjelica’s chest tightened. Offering a weak smile, she put her hand out, grasped Jeremy’s and squeezed. “It’s OK.”
    They walked the rest of the way to the plane in silence. The area was deserted except for the aircraft pilots and ground crew.
    “I’ll wait inside the cabin for the team to arrive. I needed to get here early to run this by you.”
    “They’ll be along in thirty minutes.” He walked on toward the cockpit door. “Angel,” he called over his shoulder. “If you’re not comfortable with this, you don’t have to do it.”
    “No. I want to. I’m ready.” As was the plane. Ready and waiting. Anjelica jumped inside and flopped down on the floor, propping herself up against the cold metal side. Lord, help me do this right. Keep me safe.
    The thirty minutes spent in prayer went by too fast. At the sound of approaching voices, she opened her eyes. Amen.
    One by one, the members of the three international teams in their group filled the cabin. Anjelica greeted them as they boarded, waiting for that familiar face—the one she was still a little mad at, who’d short-changed her out of a kiss last night. When she saw him coming closer, her anger vanished like the mist that had hung over the runway when she’d arrived. She greeted Kyle and Luke as they took their places beside her.
    “Angel. Thanks again for last night. That was great.” Luke beamed as if he were the rising sun himself.
    Kyle elbowed him in the ribs. “Maskil, watch what you’re saying,” he whispered. “Do you realize how that could be misinterpreted? You’re putting Anjelica’s reputation at risk.” He shook his head. “Sometimes I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”
    Seated beside them, Anjelica heard every muffled word.
    Eyes wide, Luke curled his bottom lip down and shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry…”
    She wasn’t sure if the apology was directed at her, or Kyle.
    Kyle turned to the team. “Guys, give a hand to Luke and Erick for sneaking onto the roof of the Plaza Hotel last night and completing a successful BASE jump. One more thing to tick off Luke’s Norwegian bucket list before we go home to New Zealand.”
    A round of applause rose inside the cabin.
    “And they couldn’t have done it without the help of an Angel.” Kyle gestured to Anjelica and began to clap his hands. Applause rose again, along with whistles and cheers.
    “Thank you,” Anjelica mouthed to Kyle.
    He tipped his head at