But if he started explaining, where would he stop? No one here in Pacific Cove seemed to know about the circumstances of his dad’s transfer all those years ago. Except Aubrey’s dad.
Yep, Brian Wynn knew all about it. Still, after all these years, Eli wanted to take the man down. The only thing holding him back was the promise he’d made to his own father, and his desire to protect Susannah Wynn. Lately he’d been thinking about that, though, wondering if he could manage one without the other. Could he be satisfied by getting revenge against Brian Wynn even if the man wasn’t aware of who had extracted it?
“Look, Eli, if you’re worried about me, about something personal regarding our history affecting my job performance or making things difficult for you, I can assure you that won’t happen. My job always comes first. And I think we’ve established that it’s important for you to treat me like anyone else. I will give you the same courtesy.”
“I know that, Aubrey. Your record is impeccable. Your colleagues love you. Everyone on base respects you. I’m proud of you. You should be really proud of yourself.”
He hoped he wasn’t imagining the hint of blush on her cheeks.
She shifted on the bench to look at him. “Alex says you’re here to check up on us?”
Now she was referring to what he was “officially” doing here. The paperwork said that he and Gale were in District 13 to perform an evaluation of the base’s airborne search-and-rescue missions.
“To ensure that proper procedures are being followed.”
She stared back at him, a thoughtful expression on her face. Without her signaling distress or radioing for assistance, it was debatable as to whether he really should have gone into the water after her. No one was questioning what he’d done—yet, anyway. Still, not exactly a stellar example of what he’d just claimed he was here to do. If he was trying to maintain his distance where she was concerned, his actions had pretty much blown that, too. He needed to get his head together where she was concerned, and he needed to get his act together where his job was concerned.
This case had to come first.
His gaze traveled back to the diving board. “How many ‘rescue jumps’ do you think we practiced off that diving board?”
He ignored how her gravelly chuckle sent a jolt of heat through his bloodstream.
“Um, approximately one million and fourteen? Remember how we used to tie towels onto a swim noodle to use as our ‘survivor.’” She added air quotes.
They laughed again, reminiscing about the elaborate “rescue missions” they would invent.
“I can’t stand the thought of this place closing.” He swiveled so he was facing her again. “You think you can win this contest, huh?”
“Of course,” she answered confidently.
“How can I help?”
She smiled. “That’s really sweet, but you just got to town and all. I’m sure there are a million other things you’d rather do with your off time.”
“None of them this important,” he said, ignoring the eye-roll from his conscience. He suddenly wished his motives were as pure and selfless as hers. “I’m serious. I want to help.”
“Well, the crab races are first on the agenda. If you’re serious, I’ll give you Gabby’s number and you can ask her. I’m sure she could use the extra hands.”
Just then her newest student limped out of the locker room wearing a bright blue swimsuit and a knee brace around one leg. She lifted a hand and waved.
Eli’s gaze followed hers, along with a dose of confusion. “She looks familiar. Is that...?”
The girl held up a finger in a just-a-minute gesture.
“Danny Cruz, from the Respite?” She was grinning when she looked his way again. “Yep. I’m going to teach her how to swim.”
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