Read Beside the Brook for Free Online

the surface was so intense she had to shield her eyes with one hand.
    “First things first.” Tyler disappeared inside the cabin and returned carrying two life jackets. “Come on little lady.” He helped Sarah into her floatation device as Kirsten watched with admiration. It was clear in his reactions to Sarah, just how much she meant to him. His eyes gleamed whenever he looked at her. When he was finished with Sarah he turned to Kirsten. “You ever used one of these before?”
    Kirsten smiled and shook her head. “No, I haven’t.”
    “Come on then.” Tyler beckoned as he held it up for her to slip into. Kirsten backed into the jacket and slipped her arms into the holes. Tyler wrapped the front around her, his head right behind her own as he fumbled with the ties. He was taller than her by at least four inches, and she felt unexpectedly nervous having him this close. His big hands held her by the jacket and he turned her around, his eyes focused on the straps as he pulled them beneath her arms and across her chest. The corners of his mouth turned up into a cheeky smile, as if he sensed and was enjoying her discomfort. She had to admit, he was extremely attractive, his dark brooding eyes and long eyelashes just one of his many endearing features. She cringed as she remembered what had happened with the last man she worked for. Sometimes a little harmless flirting could spiral out of control. She was determined not to repeat the mistakes she had made with Greg.
    “That’s not too tight is it?” Tyler’s eyes glinted playfully in the sunlight. Kirsten allowed a smile to escape. “It’s firm, but I wouldn’t say it’s tight.”
    “Good.” Tyler straightened up and left her with Sarah, going instead to loosen the ropes which held the boat to the jetty.
    The girls sat at the back of the boat while Tyler drove to the Salmon farm. Kirsten loved the feel of the salt spray on her face, the sound of the engine as it roared beneath them and the thick white foam wake which spread out behind them like a thick layer of whipped egg whites. Sarah grinned and laughed all the way, enjoying the ride with childish enthusiasm.
    If this is what life is going to be like here , Kirsten thought, surely I’m in heaven .

    Eventually Tyler slowed the engines and they pulled up to another boat in a secluded bay. A young man about Kirsten’s age appeared and tied the boat securely alongside.
    “Hey boss,” he greeted Tyler.
    “Brian. How’re things this afternoon?”
    “Good, good,” Brian confirmed, “we’re just about to do the afternoon feed.”
    “Great.” Tyler flashed a smile at his niece and ruffled her hair. “We’re just in time. Wanna check out the fish?”
    Sarah wore a grin from ear to ear as she nodded.
    Tyler took her hand and helped her climb aboard the second boat. The smaller craft was a practical and sturdy working boat. Brian took the girl’s hand and helped her down.
    “Brian, this is Kirsty.” Tyler took her hand and pulled her onto the seat. She stepped between the boats, now swaying out of time with the wake their approach had caused. She wobbled, nearly losing her balance before Brian took hold of her. She leaned into him, letting his strong grip steady her as she stepped down onto the deck.
    “Hi, Kirsty.” He had the bluest eyes Kirsten had ever seen, so light they were almost silver. She could barely drag her gaze away.
    “Hi, Brian.” She regained her composure and let go of him. She made a mental note that she would have to find her sea legs pretty soon, before she ended up in the arms of too many strange, but attractive men.
    “Kirsty is the new Nanny.” Tyler took the gap between the boats in one stride, making it look like child’s play.
    “Oh, cool.” Brian winked at Sarah. “Lucky you huh?”
    Sarah grinned. “Yep.”
    They made their way onto a wooden platform, suspended above the water to form a track around a group of rounded metal frames, each about twenty feet in