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“I can’t imagine how scared Matty must’ve been. He said he was hugging Bjork when they crashed.” His voice breaks as he tries to hold on to his tears.
“I’ll clean him up. I promise.”
Rob nods. “I need to stretch my legs.”
“Of course.”
His steps fade, and for the first time I feel alone in my workroom, even though technically I have always worked by myself. Putting the strange reaction aside, I continue working on Bjork’s arm. When Rob hasn’t come back for an hour, I check the front room.
Whatever is left of my marshmallow heart has now completely melted.
Rob, his face so peaceful, is sleeping on the couch. I bet he hasn’t slept in days. Even Mama’s coffee wasn’t enough to keep him going. Lying on his belly, he looks like a hibernating bear. In the history of me seeing men sleeping, Rob is by far the most adorable. Amid the chaos and heartbreak, I’m glad he can at least have a bit of a reprieve here in my shop.
I grab a blanket and spread it over him, although there’s not enough fabric to cover his entire body. He looks like a soldier of some sort. I can’t believe how wide his torso is, and underneath his top, I can trace his deeply carved traps and shoulder muscles.
Not letting those stunning manly qualities distract me, I go back to the workroom to do one last thing––clean the blood stains off Bjork’s belly.
“You’ll be back with Matthew soon,” I whisper to the teddy as I pat some shampoo solution onto his fur. With every dab, I feel a needle jabbing into my heart. I hope Bjork’s presence will lift the boy’s spirits, as well as his brother’s, who seems to have moved heaven and earth to get the bear back to him.
I touch the teddy’s nose. “Be a good bear.”
With Bjork all mended and smiling again, I head to the couch where Rob is still asleep. I kneel next to his face. “Rob…” I nudge his shoulder gently.
He simply sighs with his eyes closed. I would stroke his hair and whispersweet dreams, but he’s got to go back to Matthew.
“Rob, it’s done.”
His eyes flutter open and he sits up. “Oh… it’s done?”
“Yeah. You can take Bjork to Matthew.”
“Thank you.” He breathes deeply while fixing his shirt, which has rolled up to his pecs, giving me a glimpse of his tight abs.
Damn. I think I have at least one butterfly trying to make its way from my belly into my heart. Where did this man come from? Definitely not from any aquarium I’ve been swimming in.
Then he looks ahead, admiring Bjork. “God… look at him!” Rob instantly becomes alert. He cuddles the bear as if it was his own. “He smells so good, too.”
“He’s as good as new.”
Rob studies the bear in his hand. “You’re amazing.” He pauses, thinks for a minute. “Amber-Rose, one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“Bjork used to have a ribbon around his neck. Mom put it there so Matty would know it was his, in case the bear got mixed up with other kids’ teddies. It's been gone for a while. But I wonder, if you maybe have a blue ribbon…”
“What kind of blue?”
“Umm… navy blue.”
“Wait here.” I go into the storeroom and cut a length off a roll of navy-blue satin ribbon. When I return, I band it around Bjork’s neck and tie a bow right under his chin.
Rob gives me a nod of approval, trying to hold back tears. “Matty will love this.” He takes a deep breath. “How much do I owe you?”
“No, please. It’s the least I can do. I’m grateful you stopped that bastard. Otherwise I would’ve lost my necklace. It’s from my mom.”
Rob looks me in the eye, agreeing with me, but he still wants to do something. He sets Bjork down on the couch.
“Careful!” I say as Bjork is about to topple onto the floor.
