Page 45 of Beneath the Flames
“Growing up way too fast, but that’s the nature of children, isn’t it?” Brie chuckled.
“Too true,” she agreed. “You must be so grateful that terrible man is dead.”
Brie suddenly frowned, Rachael’s words immediately reminding her of Marquis Gray and his possible ties to Holloway’s death.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Mrs. Davis! I shouldn’t have said anything. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Brie reached out to give her another hug. “It’s okay,” she assured her. “I’m still raw after what happened, but you are absolutely right. Knowing that Holloway is gone brings me great solace.”
After she let Rachael go, she told her, “I don’t want you to ever worry about saying the wrong thing. I just want you to be yourself around me.”
Rachael sighed, obviously still upset at herself, but she quickly nodded. “I am sincerely glad to see your smiling face and to have you visit here again.”
“It’s good to be back,” Brie agreed.
Heading down to the bottom floor on the elevator, Brie reflected on her encounter with Rachael. She felt more confident about this meeting tonight after her talk with Rachael. It highlighted what Sir had shared about Master Nosh. When you understand someone’s true intentions, the words they speak matter less.
Clutching her notebook to her chest, Brie knocked on the door of Master Nosh’s private office.
“Come in,” the head trainer called out, the tenor of his voice alone carrying great authority.
Just be yourself and don’t forget to breathe,Brie reminded herself as she opened the door.
Walking into his office, she found Master Nosh sitting behind a rustic pine desk. It appeared he was a man of simple taste because the room was minimally decorated. The focal point of the whole space was the large painting on one wall.
Master Nosh got up from his chair to stand beside her and look at the painting. The first question he asked was, “Do you know whose portrait this is?”
Brie smiled as she gazed at it. “I do, Master Nosh. My Master told me about Little Wolf. He was the Cheyenne chief who brought his people back to their tribal lands against all odds. Sir told me he continues to be a constant source of inspiration for him personally.”
Master Nosh nodded with satisfaction. “Sir Davis and I are alike in that way.”
Studying the painting that Sir had talked so highly of was a treat for Brie. It felt like going back in time as she stood there staring at it, imagining what it must have been like for Sir when he was standing in this exact spot beside the head trainer while attending the Dominant Training course.
Brie studied the painting of the Cheyenne chief. It was exactly as Sir described, the confidence and intensity in Little Wolf’s eyes made it seem as if he were a presence in this room. Even though it was merely a painting, the magnetism of the chief’s persona beckoned to her. Brie was a firm believer that a person continued to live on in those they touched and through the difference they’d made while on this Earth.
“Please take a seat, Mrs. Davis. We have little time.”
As she was sitting down, she said, “I’m grateful to you for fitting me into your tight schedule.”
He made a rolling motion with his fingers, indicating she should get to the point of the meeting.
Brie laughed nervously as she opened her notebook.
“There is no point in feeling anxious, Mrs. Davis.”
His statement was simple and profound. He was right. Feeling anxious did not serve any purpose. Accepting that truth immediately calmed Brie down.
She looked up from her notes and smiled. “Thank you for that reminder.”
Starting right in, Brie hit the first item on her agenda. “Knowing your tight schedule, how long will you be available for the interview?”
“How long do you normally take for an interview?”
“I schedule them for an hour and a half, but I’mhappy to cut down the time for you.”
“If that is the time it takes, then that is what I will plan for,” he stated firmly.
“Excellent.” She quickly noted it and then asked, “What time do you prefer, and is there a day that works best?”
