He didn’t seem to be the least bit put off by her nonresponse.
“Sorry. Let me help you.”
He took the briefcase from her grasp before she could react.
She had little choice but to introduce herself. “I’m Nina Johnson.” His large hand swallowed hers, wrapping around it with a solid strength that gave her an uneasy feeling, yet she was strangely reluctant to pull her hand away. The stress of the trip down here to Hastings must be getting to her.
A big smile spread across the man’s olive-toned skin, revealing a row of straight white teeth and an angled jawline that was very attractive.
“Kitty’s friend. She told us you’d be filling in for her. Nice to meet you. Let me show you to your office.”
She retrieved her briefcase from the man. “Kitty?”
“Yeah, we all call her that. Kathryn didn’t suit her personality.”
Nina mulled that over as she entered through the door the man held open. When had her friend taken the nickname? But then, she’d allowed their friendship to fade over the last few years, and she’d admittedly been surprised when Kathryn had asked her to take over her practice for a few months. Nina had closed her private practice years ago and gone into corporate psychology. She’d loved it. The job allowed her to help others, while not getting personally involved with patients or becoming emotionally attached. Things she’d vowed to avoid.
The man, Mr. Sinclair, walked briskly toward the end of the hall, and she had a hard time keeping up with him in her four-inch heels. The floor was slippery, too. He was chattering about something, but all she could think of was getting to Kathryn’s office and closing the door.
“Anita owns the Tranquility Spa. She does it all from hair and nails to facials and those crazy body wraps. You’ll have a full-service business when you want to get dolled up.”
Was he suggesting she needed a makeover? She gritted her teeth and tried to keep up. Was he deliberately trying to be offensive? She’d been to a spa once and found it anything but relaxing. She glanced at her host and found him still smiling. His unusual green eyes held a twinkle as he looked down at her. She averted her gaze. Something about the man made her uncomfortable. No doubt his overly solicitous attitude was the source. This Sinclair guy was far too friendly for her liking.
He pushed the button beside the elevator door and waited while she entered first.
“Your office is on the second floor.”
He continued his diatribe, throwing out names and businesses as if she were interested in the other occupants of the building. Stealing a glance at her host, she sorted through her people cubbies to find a good slot in which to file him away. On the surface, he seemed nice enough, but he was trying too hard to be helpful, and that usually meant he’d attempt to insert himself into her life. That was the last thing she wanted. When the elevator opened, she stepped out briskly, hoping he’d point out the right door and then go away.
“I’m right across the hall.”
Nina pulled her attention back to the man. “Excuse me?”
His grin deepened, exposing a dimple on the right side of his mouth that she’d failed to notice before. It was a nice dimple.
“At the moment, the only businesses on the second floor are yours, mine and David Ellis’s, the photographer. The last office is empty, and back there is the break room.” He pointed to the door to his right. “That’s my company. Phase II. We help veterans with training and job placement, and whatever else they might need when they’re ready to reenter the workforce.”
Nina’s heart lurched. “Soldiers?”
“As a matter of fact, we’re organizing our annual Military Appreciation Day event, and we’re always looking for volunteers. We’d welcome your help.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You have something against soldiers?”
He asked the question with a teasing tone in his voice. She cast a stern look in his direction. “Only when they fail to do their job and people die.” Clearly caught off guard, he frowned and rubbed his forehead. The smile left his face, calling attention to the sharp angle of his jaw and his high cheekbones. The clear green eyes had darkened to a dull forest color.
“Aren’t there dozens of organizations already helping veterans?”
“There are, but most of them are located two hours away, up in the state capital, and the waiting lists for those organizations are long. The vets need services here, where they live.”
His sincerity and passion caught her off guard, leaving her without a comeback. Thankfully she spotted the plaque on the wall beside the door on the left. Kathryn Harvey Psychologist. Nina fished out the key Kathryn had sent, but before she could use it, Bret opened the door and smiled down at her. “You have a key to this office?”
“To all of them. I own the building. Which makes me the landlord. But don’t worry. I don’t enter anyone’s business unless it’s an emergency.”
“Is that what this is?”
He chuckled as if she’d said something funny. The rich, throaty sound sent a quick ping along her nerves.
“No. I’m the welcome committee. I promised Kitty I’d help you settle in. When you get a free moment, I’ll introduce you to the others. We all try and look out for one another.”
Nina shrank in on herself. She needed to escape his overly helpful greeting right now. “That’s very kind, but I don’t need any help, and I doubt I’ll have much time for socializing.”
She squared her shoulders and marched into the small reception area, striving for an air of supreme confidence that would deter any further help. Instead she caught her heel in the overly plush carpet and tripped, quickly regaining her balance. Pulse racing, she placed her belongings on the desk and turned to face him. “Thank you for your help. I can take it from here.”
His hand was outstretched as if he’d intended to steady her, which he could easily have done, given his broad, well-developed shoulders and forearms. The black polo shirt with the Phase II logo on the breast pocket, and the faded jeans he wore, made it obvious that he enjoyed working out.
“Those shoes are dangerous. You could hurt yourself.”
Incredible. First a makeover, and now her shoes? Criticism was the last thing she needed at this moment. Her nerves were frayed. She attempted a firm expression. “Mr. Sinclair, I have a lot of studying to do before I see my first patient. I’m sure you’ll understand if I don’t have time to visit.”
He stared at her for a moment, his green eyes probing, making her regret her retort. She reminded herself she was here to fill in for Kathryn and reacquaint herself with working one-on-one with private patients. Not to get chummy with the natives.
“Okay then. If you need anything or have any questions, I’m right over there.” He gestured to the office across the hall.
She grasped the doorknob and met his gaze. The puzzlement in his eyes turned the green to a dull moss color. Very curious.
“Sure
