Page 56 of Almost Priest

She looked away and Colin softly confessed, “She’s terrified of water, Bray. She can’t do those things.”

Braydon looked as though that was the most ridiculous excuse in the world. “Well, you could’ve told me that.”

Sammy scowled at his brother with big eyes, her lips firmly pressed together in irritation. “Would it really have mattered, Braydon? Be realistic. You regretted asking me to come the morning after we arrived. I love it here, but all I’m doing is interfering in your free time. We enjoy different things.”

Braydon looked at her, his expression appearing vulnerable and unsure. Both characteristics Colin did not normally see on his sought after brother’s face.

“That’s not true,” Bray whispered. “I like you, Sam. We’re good together. I didn’t know about the water thing. I’ll stay away from the lake for the rest of the week.”

Thankfully Samantha halted him from making more unrealistic promises.

“No, Braydon. I like you too, but as a friend. I know what you’re looking for and I’m not it.”

His brother appeared bewildered by her rejection. Braydon had always been the golden child of the McCulloughs, the one chased after by every beautiful girl in the county. It wasn’t often he was turned away.

“I’m sorry,” Samantha whispered.

When Braydon raised his head all vulnerability was safely hidden away. He glared at Colin. “Is this because of you? Are you even taking your vows now?”

“Braydon, don’t say something you’ll regret,” Colin suggested. “This isn’t personal. It isn’t about you—”

He gave a sardonic laugh. “You think? She was my guest, Colin, and of all people I never thought I had to watch my back around my brothers, let alone you.”

The accusation stung, but Colin took it. “I’m sorry. Please don’t make Sammy feel bad about it though. I take full responsibility.”

Bray let out a dry, low laugh. “Sammy is it?” He shook his head as if still struggling to believe what he’d walked in on. “Well, you two enjoy each other. I’ll be sure to stay out of your way. I wouldn’t want to ever be accused of poaching from my own family.”

Shit. This was really bad. If anything his family was always loyal to one another. Before Braydon could leave Colin reached for his arm, “Bray…”

He stopped, but didn’t look at him.

“I need to know you won’t say anything to the others. Samantha’s going back to school at the end of the week and come August Iwillbe making the sacrament of holy orders. Nothing’s changed.”

“For you,” he said under his breath.

“Please, Braydon. She doesn’t deserve to be dragged into the middle of all this in front of a family she’s just met. I understand that you’re angry at me. Be angry for as long as you need, but don’t hurt her in the process.”

Braydon looked up at him with such a penetrating stare Colin feared he could see right through him and see how he truly felt about Samantha.

“If anyone hurts her, Colin, it won’t be me.”

CHAPTER13

True to his word, Braydon did not breathe a word about what he had seen. While the morning after he struggled with looking Samantha in the eye, the tension quickly faded and he was once again acting as her friend. There was still, however, tension between him and Colin.

The days passed faster than Sam was prepared for. In the mornings she would usually spend time with Maureen and sometimes the aunts and Katherine, while Colin went to the Church to work on painting the school or other things that needed tending. They found it easiest to stick with the rest of the family in the afternoons, and in the evenings they had fallen into the routine of sneaking off to the lake to see how far Colin could distract Sam into the water.

She had made it up to her ribs and Colin was immeasurably proud of her.

The water became less of a fear and more of a need to please him, to show him that she could handle anything. She craved that look of pride he showed with each little bit of progress she made. Her apprehension of even being near the lake had faded in ways she couldn’t process. On Wednesday they had been so elated at her progress they could barely keep their hands off each other.

There was something sacred about their time at the water, something that was theirs and could never be shared. It was her memory, her secret kiss tucked neatly in the corner of her smile that no one else could ever lay claim to. With each passing night she fell more and more in love with Colin McCullough and her fear of the coming Saturday became more paralyzing than all thoughts of water.

Thursday night came and they waded into the lake, its silver moon shadows sparkling like tiny diamonds along the surface. Colin held her securely by her hips and walked backward, holding her with her back to the shore until the ground fell away and she floated in his arms. It was a terrifying and euphoric feeling wrapped into one.

He instructed her how to move her arms and legs to bob in place. Only the mildest panic crept in when small spatters of water crested her shoulders and splashed her face. He held her and whispered words of encouragement and her anxiety faded. It was surprisingly peaceful, floating with her shoulders under the warmth of the water. When her legs grew tired she wrapped them around Colin’s hips.

His laughter slowed and he looked at her with such a serious expression. His blue-green eyes looked almost golden in the darkness.

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