It was to Carmel's credit that she announced her presence before coming close, because even with that, Brady still went rigid, hand curled into a fist around the spatula he was holding as he whipped around to see who had unexpectedly joined him. He blew out a breath and forcibly relaxed his stance, switching the spatula to his other hand so he could shake hers. "Brady," he replied, and then he looked at her speculatively. "Carmel, the cook, right?" Other than Jason, she was the only one he'd spoken to in any manner here. He turned back to the frying pan, not wanting to ruin his eggs.