Free Beside the Brook by Paulette Rae

into the pool opposite her. “I had a bad experience with red wine once and I don’t touch the stuff now.”
    “Sounds interesting.” Tyler dipped both hands in the water and then ran them through his hair, pushing it back against his head. Then he leaned back and extended both arms out along the edge of the pool. His body glistened, water dripped from his muscular upper arms as he watched her trying not to look at him. His thick eyebrows and black hair framed a well defined face with high cheek bones and an angular jaw. Kirsten wasn’t sure if it was his good looks, or the way he seemed to be her only ally here right now, but she felt drawn to him. She dropped her gaze and trailed her hands through the water.
    “Not really.” she smiled to herself as she remembered the night in question. It seemed like such a long time ago now.
    “Are you okay?” Tyler seemed concerned and in tune with her unrest. She gave him a wary smile. “Yes. It’s been a long week. I think I’ve already managed to upset your mother, and Jamie-,” she paused. “I don’t know what’s up with Jamie. Is he always like this?”
    “Jamie’s toys are still out of the cot because of you I think. But you shouldn’t take it personally. It doesn’t take much to upset our James.”
    “You don’t help.” Kirsten pouted in Tyler’s direction. “You like to goad him, I’ve noticed.”
    “Hey, if it’s one thing you’ll learn about me from the start, it’s that I tell it straight. And I’m a pretty good read on other people. For instance,” he narrowed his gaze at her,
    “I can tell right now that you’re just dying for me to give you a shoulder rub.”
    Kirsten felt the heat rush to her cheeks. It had been the furthest thing from her mind. She stared wide eyed back at him. “Whatever would make you think that?”
    “Well, you just indicated you’ve had a hard week. I know only too well how people can get riled up when dealing with my mother. Wouldn’t a nice neck rub be great right about now?”
    Kirsty couldn’t help but smile. She had to admit it sounded wonderful, but did she really want to let Tyler lay his hands on her? His reputation with women already seemed crystal clear. But then again, why would she think he could be interested in the likes of her?
    “I don’t think that would be appropriate do you?” she asked. “After all, you’re almost my employer.”
    Tyler laughed, letting his head fall back against the side of the pool. “I think you know as well as I do who holds the purse strings around here. I do as I’m told just as much as you do. Come on, I won’t bite.”
    Kirsten crumbled. It was easy to sway to someone who showed a friendly face among adversity. She so wanted to feel liked by at least one of the adults around here. She

    knew she had Sarah’s vote, but to have Tyler in her corner would also be a huge bonus. It was a risk she was willing to take.
    She slid around the bench and pushed her back closer to Tyler as he took hold of her shoulders. His fingers were soft and warm against her skin and she leaned her head forward, dropping her chin onto her chest. His hands moved rhythmically over her neck and upper back, his thumbs digging in to smooth away the tension they found there.
    “God, do you do this for a living?” Kirsten murmured as she closed her eyes.
    “No, I’m just very practiced.” She felt his breath on the back of her neck as he spoke and it made her shiver. He was so close she could feel his hip against her own as she slid back against him under the water.
    “You have great skin,” Tyler teased. “It’s very soft.”
    Kirsty giggled. “Yeah, right. I guess in this light you can’t see the freckles.”
    She felt his body shake with laughter. “Hey, freckles are very cute.”
    “Yeah, right,” Kirsty said sarcastically. “And I suppose the red hair is too?”
    “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with a feisty redhead.”
    Kirsty laughed. “Well, it doesn’t seem to be doing me