“It’s about time,” she said when he walked in, but when she saw Brennan, her smile faltered.
“Brennan is our resident expert and agreed to help us with our form.Is that alright?”
She nodded, her smile creeping back.“I’d like that.”
“Get that jacket off and show me what you’ve got, kid.”
He draped it out of the way and stepped up to the bag.
“Wait,” Samantha said, unwinding the strips of cloth from her hands.“You need these.”She didn’t hand them over but wrapped one around each of his hands.How could something so innocent feel so intimate?He wasn’t sure whether to be glad Brennan was there or to wish he wasn’t.
As he faced the bag, he could feel both pairs of eyes watching him, and it made him nervous.He threw a punch with each fist.
“Not bad,” Brennan said with a nod.“I prefer a little bit wider stance, like this.”Trent copied him.“Good, now settle onto that back foot just a touch more.That’s it.Now really drive it forward with that hip.”
The next punch landed with far more force.He smiled at Brennan.“Thank you.”
“Will you show us one of yours, Mr.Brennan?”Samantha asked, her smile shy.
Brennan shrugged.“If you’d like me to.”He stepped up to the bag.
“Here.”Trent unwrapped the cloth from his hand.Brennan waved it away.
“These fists have seen worse than this.”He swung, his fist slamming into the bag, sending it swinging.
Trent blew out a breath.“Remind me to never be on the receiving end of that.”
“As long as you don’t do anything to upset your brother, I think you’ll be safe.”Brennan gave him a meaningful look.
As he wrapped Samantha’s hands, he tried so hard not to feel anything, terrified Brennan could read his thoughts.“Your turn,” he said, giving them a quick squeeze.
She stepped into place and raised her fists, but her breathing was rapid.She looked at them.“I feel like I don’t know how to do any of it right, now that I’m being watched.”
“Don’t worry about me, miss.I’m here as a teacher, not a critic.”
“Close your eyes and take a deep breath.”Trent breathed in slowly through his nose and out through his mouth to encourage her.“Take the first one slowly if you’re nervous.Just like we did in the beginning.”
Slowly, she pushed herself through the move.She’d already corrected for the changes Brennan had recommended to him.The second one, she threw into the bag.She turned hopeful eyes on Brennan.
“Very nice.”He walked to stand beside her, and Trent was so proud when she didn’t step away, or cower.“This time,” he said, matching her position, “I want you to punchthroughthe bag.”He demonstrated with slow movements.
She nodded, her smile filled with excitement.She took a moment to center herself, and then she swung.This time, the bag rocked and swayed.
“That’s it.”Brennan nodded.“Your brother will be proud.”
She gave a happy little squeal and clapped her hands together.Trent wanted to pick her up and swing her around, but he refrained.Instead, he settled for a brief squeeze of her shoulder.“Well done.Are you ready to work on the left now?”
It took a little longer for her to perfect her left, but she was determined.Brennan was gentle and encouraging with each correction, sometimes even teasing her, as he probably did with his sisters.
“Well, I think my work here is done,” he said.“I’m impressed, Miss Allister.I hope I get to bear witness when you put your skills to use against the bastard who hurt you.”
“Thank you, Mr.Brennan.”
“Unless you have need of me for anything else, I’m going to go check on Theo and Stanley.”
Trent walked with him and they stopped just outside the door.“Thank you, Brennan.”
“She’s a strong lass.”
