Tuck’s head jerked up. “How’d you know I was an Army veteran?”
“I’m good at research.” She paused then whispered, “I’ll sign a statement that I will only paint you in a good light, will not reveal anything you don’t want me to reveal, and will share the article with you before publication so you can approve it. If I fail on any of those things you can sue me. I have an adorable green Volkswagen bug and a closet full of clothes and shoes that many women would give up their eyelashes for.”
Tucker laughed. “You want me to trust you and spill all of my secrets then you’ll make me look like a hero for your article?” Truly though, what could she print that would be any worse than what had already happened? She knew about the pictures. It was probably less risky to answer her questions and hope she could somehow forgive him and maybe even learn to like him a little bit.
She licked her lips and focused on him. “It’s not about the article, Tucker. I won’t even write it if you don’t want me to. I don’t care if James fires me. It’s about you… and me.”
Tucker looked at her, wondering how much of what she was saying was induced by medication or gratitude that he’d saved her from the bear. “You’re a blunt one, aren’t you?”
“I have been accused of that a time or two.”
“Can you call me Tuck?”
“Tuck,” she breathed out his name and Tucker realized if she hadn’t been injured he would’ve pulled her into his arms and tasted those rosebud lips. His stomach did a weird lurch and his palms started sweating as she stared into his eyes and didn’t look away.
Mama Porter brought their food and found the two of them in a staring contest that he didn’t want to end.
Mama babied Maryn through the short meal and to her credit, Maryn didn’t complain, though she did roll her eyes or pull a face at Tuck a couple of times. “That’s enough, thank you,” Maryn said, obviously exhausted after sitting up to drink some broth and eating a few pieces of cheese and orange.
Mama helped her lay back down and then took her tray to the kitchen. “I’ll be back for yours in a minute,” she told Tucker.
“I can bring it down. Thank you, Mama.”
She nodded, smiling as she looked back and forth between the two of them for a minute then disappeared out the door.
Maryn closed her eyes and lay still. Tuck felt instant relief that the questions were put on hold for a little while. He wanted to trust her, to share with her, but it was terrifying at the same time. There were parts of his story that not even Mama Porter and Braxton knew. Johnson was the only one who could relate and commiserate.
“Don’t think you’re off the hook, big guy,” Maryn whispered sleepily. “I’m taking a short nap then I’m done with this wallowing in pain, and my focus is on getting to know my new friend, Tuck.”
Tuck couldn’t resist leaning forward, brushing the hair from her face, and kissing her cheek. Maryn’s lips turned up in a smile.
“I think we’re going to be good friends, you and I,” Maryn said then her breathing evened out and within thirty seconds she was snoring.
Tuck chuckled to himself. This tiny beauty snored? Who would’ve guessed that? He liked that he knew that about her but liked even more that she did it. He ate all of his chicken noodle soup and ham sandwich then allowed himself to lean back in the chair and watch her sleep. His eyelids drifted closed and he’d never felt so at peace in his life.
ChapterEight
Maryn’s eyes flittered open and she forgot for a second why she was in this huge, comfortable bed that smelled like a fine-looking member of the male species, looking out windows with nothing but white. Then she saw Tucker, fast asleep in an overstuffed chair and smiled. The memory of why she got in this bed wasn’t good, but she was excited to get to know this man better. She’d been much too forward earlier when she’d told him her desire to learn everything, but he’d have to believe she was drug-addled and forgive her. Not that she’d give up on her quest to know this man’s secrets. Amazingly, it wasn’t for the article, but because Tuck was so impressive.
She moved to rub her hands together like she always did when she was excited and bit her lip to hold in the cry of pain. Okay, don’t stretch the arms too far. She was feeling pretty good for someone who was attacked by a bear only the night before. Her head was a little woozy still and her body ached like she’d been beat up, but as long as she didn’t move in certain ways the stitches weren’t bad.
Mama Porter and Tuck had treated her like an invalid after she used the bathroom. She grinned. Not that she’d minded Tuck picking her up in those burly arms and then kissing her on the cheek. The attraction between them was like nothing she’d experienced before. Laying her head on his chest had been a natural action and wowzers, what a chest it was. James was the only man she’d been close to the past few months and though he had a nice build it was a honed in the gym and on a surfboard kind of build. Tuck’s strength was part of who he was. She wouldn’t be surprised if he chopped wood every morning and slung bales of hay around.
Ha! Like billionaire Tucker Shaffer was a part-time farmer.
She pushed her way to sitting and only cried out a little. Tuck jumped from his chair, landing in a half-crouch with his hands splayed out. “Don’t move. I’ll help you.”
Maryn laughed. “I’m fine, Tuck.”
His dark eyes swung over her frame and for some reason Maryn blushed. Straightening and lowering his hands, he said, “You’re fine, but you’re not fine.”
“Now that made sense,” she teased.
He grinned. “What do you need?”
“I’m just ready to stand up and move around a bit. My hip fell asleep from lying on my side.”
“Okay. Should I lift you or just support you?”