Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [30]
"Sounds like a slave driver."
"Well, he did tell us a few stories while we were working out."
"Stories about what?"
"Sailing, of course. They were always tales that involved great courage, determination, physical, and mental strength. They were meant to inspire us. My father taught us how to use our minds and our bodies to make things happen that seemed impossible. And that's exactly what we did when we raced, we accomplished the impossible."
"Is that a note of admiration in your voice?"
She sighed, wishing she could say no. "I think it might be."
Tyler studied her thoughtfully. "You and your father have a complicated relationship, don't you?"
"That's an understatement."
"And no one in the family races anymore. I can't help but wonder why."
"We lived a lifetime in those eleven months, Tyler, not to mention the two years of sailing that came before the race. It was enough."
"That's the first time you've called me Tyler." He tilted his head. "I think I like it. Makes it seem like we're getting along."
"Well, I wouldn't get carried away unless I start calling you Ty."
"I'll keep that in mind. Now, how about some dinner?"
Kate immediately shook her head. It was hard enough to get through five minutes of conversation with him. She certainly couldn't do dinner. "No."
"Why not?"
"I don't want to have dinner with you because, frankly, I don't want to talk to you and find my innocent statements written up in some magazine in a few months."
"We can go off the record."
"I'm not stupid. There is no off the record with reporters, especially not a reporter who has interviewed Fidel Castro."
Tyler grinned. "More research?"
"You're not hard to find on the Internet. In fact, you've led a very busy life. You don't seem to stay home much. Where is home, by the way?"
"Now, that's the kind of question I'd be happy to answer over dinner."
"I'm still not interested," she said quickly.
"What if I tell you about my tattoo?"
"I don't care about a tattoo."
"It has a woman's name on it."
Kate's eyes widened. She had to admit she was curious. "You actually did that? Tattooed a woman's name on your body? I hope she's still in your life?'
He shook his head. "A youthful mistake. I've made a few others, too. If you buy me a drink, I might tell you about them."
"Buy you a drink? I don't think so. You're definitely paying."
"Then we're going to dinner?"
He sounded far too satisfied with the turn of the conversation. "A drink, that's all," she replied firmly.
"All right, I guess I can find someone else to have dinner with." He paused. "Maybe I'll ask Sean."
Sean? How did he know Sean? Not that Sean was a secret or anything. But dammit all. She didn't want Tyler talking about her family all over town. Nor did she want him talking to Sean's parents about either of their sons.
"You don't know Sean," she said.
"I hear he and Ashley were childhood sweethearts. In fact, he was one of the first to greet her when she got off the boat. I saw a photograph of them."
"If that's the best you've got, I think your reputation as an investigative reporter is overrated."
He laughed. "Point taken. Have pity on me and join me for dinner. I obviously need a face-to-face interview."
"Fine, you win. We'll have dinner, and for every question I have to answer about my personal life, you have to do the same."
"Deal. I'll show you my tattoo, you can show me ..." His gaze traveled down her face to her chest.
"Nothing," she interrupted, crossing her arms somewhat self-consciously. "I will be showing you nothing."
His smile grew broader. "Too bad. So, what time can you go?"
"An hour. The Fisherman is very good. It's at the end of Main Street. I can meet you there at six o'clock." She waved her hand toward the door. "The sooner you go, the sooner I'll be able to leave."
He moved away from the counter, then paused.