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Even though he said he wanted to get to know me, a comfortable silence fell over us. It felt right, though, like we knew each other so well already and could just enjoy each other’s company without the need for anything more.
We came to a split in the path and I directed us left.
“Do you go on these walks often?” he asked.
I nodded. “I may be a gamer, but I enjoy being outside, too. Diego and I try to get out and hike at least twice a month, and I walk the property all the time, sometimes even going beyond it to the lake, or further if I feel the need. It’s nice just getting lost in nature. You can either clear your head or gain inspiration.”
“How does it inspire you?”
I smiled. “My dad is a carpenter, and he passed his passion on to me.”
This piqued Tyr’s interest. “A carpenter? Is it a hobby, or job for him?”
“Both.” I nodded, mostly to myself as I thought about our family line. I’d never met any family from either of my parent’s sides. My dad’s family had all passed away or were estranged, and I knew nothing of my mother’s side. “Carpentry has been a family business on my dad’s side for generations.”
We came to a wooden bridge that arched over a stream. I ran my hand along the planed timber. “My dad never intended to take over the business. He enjoyed working with wood as a hobby. It just so happens a few people wanted to buy some pieces off him, and then he continued. He said it was good for him after he left the service. Kept him busy.”
“Military man?”
I nodded. “Though now, you wouldn’t be able to tell. His CO would have a heart attack if he saw what he looked like now.”
Tyr belted out a hearty laugh. “I can relate.”
“Did you serve in your home country?” I asked.
He nodded. “It’s mandatory for men to serve at least a year, but I chose to serve longer.”
I tipped my head skyward. “That’s right. Aya mentioned once about how your country did that.”
“So, when did your dad introduce you to the craft?” Tyr asked.
I guess he doesn’t want to stay on that subject.I wouldn’t push. “My earliest memories of him are in the workshop. He was always so proud of the things he did, even if they didn’t turn out right. And when he deemed me old enough, he turned those moments into something for us to share.”
A smile curled up my face. Thinking about those memories always did that. I’d cherish them forever.
“I’d like to see some of your work,” Tyr said.
I nodded. “Sure. I was thinking of going to the workshop after this walk. You won’t see any masterpieces, but I have fun, so that’s what matters to me.”
He grinned. “I’ll save judgement until I see for myself.”
A fallen tree on the side of the path begged for me to climb it, so I did. Tyr’s strong and warm hand grasped mine, and he helped me balance as I ran along the tree trunk and then jumped off. Not that I needed it, but I didn’t mind.
The touch brought an unusual feeling of safety with it. Like a promise that if I were to ever fall, he’d always been there to catch me—as illogical as that feeling was.
He chuckled when I jumped on a rock. “You’re like a little woodland fae.”
I couldn’t hold back the grin. “Maybe I am.”
Tyr snickered. “Even at your height, you’re too tall.”
I winked. “Magic.”
His intense gaze didn’t falter. “You’re magical, all right.”
Heat bloomed in my chest. Why did words like this from him do this to me? I’d never had such reactions so quickly with another man. It usually took time getting to know them first.
“May I ask you something?”
