Page 10 of Building Courage
He shrugged, keeping the movement casual. “I’m leaving, too. Besides, my dad taught me better manners than that.” He quashed the urge to ask her out for coffee or food. She’d dive right back into her shell. He reached for her pack and was surprised by the weight of it.
He matched his stride to hers as they strolled to the parking lot. He stood beside her SUV and struggled unsuccessfully not to check out the rounded curve of her ass while she stretched to transfer her equipment from her pack to a compartmentalized backpack and secured it with the seat belt in the back seat of the vehicle. He opened the front door for her to slide in.
Keeping it professional, he said, “I’ll see you on Sunday. Have a good week.” He shut the door.
He gave a wave and strode to his own vehicle. He watched her back up and pull out before getting into his Jeep.
Brynn Barrington’s actions were a contrast in behaviors. Natalie had mentioned she embraced extreme sports like skydiving, yet she was spooked by a guy calling her on the phone in a public place. The distance she projected, even when she was being friendly, could be just a natural part of her personality, but he didn’t think so. He found it a puzzle and a challenge.
He’d seen her travel blog, which was probably the only reason he’d taken on this gig. The whole message of embracing life in all experiences and using those experiences to fill the void, heal trauma, and bring the participant joy had struck a chord with him.
She was a professional photographer and graphic designer. She had a social media presence and self-promotion trail he could follow to learn more about her.
Natalie had latched onto her and her podcast to bring in readers to Living Large Magazine, where it was linked. He hoped this symbiotic relationship didn’t bring Brynn the kind of trouble doing an interview had done for him. Natalie would use her if she could. That, too, had been part of the reason he’d taken the job…to warn Brynn to tread lightly where Natalie was concerned.
He felt a little less like he had to warn her. Brynn Barrington was no fool. The brief peeks into her life she gave to her podcast followers didn’t even begin to touch the surface. He needed to know more before they dove together. She needed to be steady, calm, and in control underwater because panic cost lives. If a phone call set her off, what would happen if she had a faulty valve and had to switch over to a secondary tank in mid-dive?
They’d both find out soon enough, and maybe he’d get close enough that she’d drop some of those barriers.
Chapter 4
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Brynn settled at her desk and downloaded the shots she’d taken at the park. She focused on the screen, but her mind was on Tucker Giles. If he hadn’t told her he was military, she’d have known it anyway. He seemed solid as bedrock, controlled, focused, but the fact he still held some enmity toward Natalie after four years… She shook her head. She needed to do some digging and find out what publication she’d done the interview for and read it.
She needed to keep her distance from Tucker Giles. But with his sea-green eyes, blond-streaked hair, and just a hint of scruff along his jaw…he was more than just attractive. Not to mention those broad shoulders and muscular arms… But he was military. A SEAL. And they had a reputation for being fast with the ladies, hard drinkers, and a little wild. That didn’t seem to fit Tucker at all.
He’d warned her twice to be on her guard with Natalie. Something she already knew to be. What did that say about her that she continued to work for someone she didn’t completely trust? Was she repeating old patterns? She’d give it some serious thought.
She turned her focus back on the images on her computer screen and then dropped deep into the process of studying, tweaking, and cropping.
A half-hour later, when a familiar voice came from behind her, she started. “Hello, doll. How’d the shoot go?”
Brynn turned to look over her shoulder at her neighbor, Martin, as he leaned against the doorframe. No matter how he stood, he always looked like he was posing. With his well-toned arms, slim frame, and immaculately styled hair, he looked like the model he’d been during his childhood and teen years.
Now, he was one of Natalie’s writers and published articles on changing styles and fashion trends, not just in the US but in other countries as well. He’d go with her to Australia to check out Aussie Land’s fashion statements.
“I didn’t hear you knock, Martin.”
“I thought you were still out. I was just dropping off some pasta and salad I threw together earlier.” He raised the two bags he carried. “I’ll put them in the fridge.”
“As much as I appreciate it, you don’t have to feed me.”
“Someone has to. Otherwise, you’d blow away in the wind.”
“I’d have gotten around to eating something soon.”
“Sure.”
Was that sarcasm she heard in his voice? “Come in and take a look at the photos I shot today.” She moved back to the beginning shots, slid clear of her seat, and made room for him. “Would you like a glass of iced tea?”
“I could be persuaded,” he said as he took her place.
She went into the kitchen and got out two glasses, poured each of them a glass, and wandered back to her desk. She set his glass next to him and took a seat at the island/bar.
Watching him while he scanned the photos made her self-conscious. She took a drink of her tea.
Five minutes later, Martin moved to the couch. “They’re great, Brynn—as always. The company wanted to test its product, and that’s what you did. And you actually made the kids and the clothing look great while doing it.”