Free Only Mine by Susan Mallery Page B

getting longer and warmer. Bill—that’s my business partner—and I should be gearing up for the busy season. Instead Bill’s doing it himself.” Finn sank lower in the seat. “We’re going to have to hire a couple of temporary pilots.”
    â€œThat can’t be good,” she said.
    â€œIt’s a pain in the ass.”
    â€œYou blame your brothers.”
    He raised one dark eyebrow. “Any reason I shouldn’t?”
    â€œTechnically, you don’t have to be here.”
    â€œYes, I do.” He glanced out the window. “If I wasn’t worried about my brothers and work, being here wouldn’t be so bad.”
    She smiled. “Are you saying you like Fool’s Gold?”
    â€œThe people are friendly enough.” He straightened. “I went out to the airport and talked to a guy there about renting planes for the show. I’m going to work with him while I’m here.”
    â€œFlying cargo?”
    He nodded.
    â€œI didn’t know we flew cargo in and out of Fool’s Gold.”
    â€œYou’d be surprised what comes in by air. Even here. He also has charters. Taking people to remote places.”
    â€œDo you do that in South Salmon?”
    â€œSome, although Bill and I focus mostly on cargo. I’ve thought about expanding, or even starting a new company. Bill wants to avoid dealing with passengers. It may be hard to believe, but I’m more of a people person.” He grinned.
    She reacted with a burst of heat to her belly and the knowledge that he’d made her toes curl. Thankfully, the latter was something he couldn’t see.
    â€œYou’re willing to take on the tourists?” she asked, trying to speak without having to clear her throat.
    â€œThey can be fun. I’ve also thought about opening a flying school. There’s freedom up there, but you can’t be stupid about it. My dad used to say the only time he knew I wasn’t taking crazy chances was when I was flying.” He chuckled. “Of course, he was wrong about that. Still, it teaches responsibility.”
    â€œSounds like a calling.”
    â€œIn some ways it is.” He gazed at her. “You’ve been nice to me. I know you don’t have to be, and I appreciate your counsel.”
    Nice? Great. She wanted him to think she was sexy and irresistible. Someone he couldn’t wait to get in his bed. Wouldn’t you just know it—the first man to get her attention in nearly a year thought she was nice.
    â€œI do what I can,” she said lightly. “If there are any particular goods or services you need in town, just let me know.”
    His dark gaze settled on her face. His mouth curved into one of those smiles designed to make a woman do just about anything. “I’ve been looking for a place to have dinner,” he said. “Somewhere quiet. Somewhere a man can have a conversation with a beautiful woman.”
    If she’d been standing, she would have been in danger of tumbling over in shock. Was Finn asking her out to dinner? Or was he talking about someone else? It was pretty presumptuous of her to assume she was the beautiful woman in question. If he had said reasonably attractive, that she could have bought into.
    â€œWell, I…” She paused, not sure what to say.
    Finn shook his head. “I’m obviously out of practice. I was trying to ask you out to dinner, Dakota.”
    â€œOh.” Now was her turn to smile. “I’d like that.” Then before she could stop herself, she added, “What if I cook? I mean, you could come to my place. I don’t do gourmet or anything, but I know a couple of good recipes.”
    â€œSounds perfect,” he told her. “Just tell me when and I’ll be there.”
    â€œHow about tomorrow?”
    â€œWorks for me.”
    They settled on a time and she gave him her address. When he left, Dakota found herself smiling just a little