Page 45 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

She felt sand beneath her feet; soon they would be out of the ocean entirely. And that was when its tempting call returned.

Come, it seemed to say.Come and sink beneath the waves. This is where you belong. Where you’ve always belonged. Leave behind your lonely half life on the land and see what a full life looks like here below. Come…

Santiago gasped in a breath of air.He’s alive!

The realization gave Briony the strength to draw her gaze from the sea, even though it pained her to do so. She helped Santiago the rest of the way out before the two of them collapsed onto the sand.

Briony said nothing as the man muttered under his breath in Portuguese. She simply gripped his shirtsleeve to reassure herself he was truly there.He’s safe. He was so close to being gone forever.

Santiago must have felt her trembling, for he lifted his face to hers. His eyes sparkled with gratitude, relief, and something else she couldn’t identify.

“I-I feared I would na get to you in time,” she whispered.

Without warning, Santiago launched himself at her, bringing her into an embrace. Briony stiffened under his touch, taken off guard by its intimacy.

“Thank you,” he panted. He stroked her head gently, easing away the tremors in her body and igniting sparks in their place. They skittered across her skin, making her warm all over.If only I could stay in this moment—

But then Santiago pulled back and rested his hands on her arms. “Your eyes are all red. Were you crying?”

She nodded, unable to speak, for her mind was so caught up in his touch. Santiago lifted a hand toward her cheek, making her heart skip a beat. She dared not breathe as it drew nearer.

But just when she started to feel the heat of his hand, Santiago seemed to realize what he was doing and dropped it to his side. He opened his mouth as though he wanted to speak, but then he paused and looked away.

He hadn’t let go of her other arm. His hand felt so nice against her skin, despite the sand under his fingers.Does he know he’s still touching me?

After a few seconds, Santiago’s eyes returned to hers, determination furrowing his brow. “Briony, there’s something I must tell you. I—”

“Santiago!” a far-off voice interrupted. They both turned to see where the sound had come from and spotted Adaira, Lucia, and John Burgess racing toward them on the beach.

Much to Briony’s disappointment, Santiago released her arm. There was a slight flush to his face, probably from the force of hitting the water so hard. He rubbed his hands against each other to rid them of the sand.

Once the trio reached the soaked swimmers, Lucia sank to her knees and put an arm around Santiago’s shoulders. “Are you two hurt?! What happened?”

The merchant shook his head and smiled a little. “Nay, I fell from the ledge up there,” he explained, “but Briony came in after me and saved me.”

Everyone’s attention slid to the young midwife. Their gazes held both respect and confusion. Something else flashed in Adaira’s eyes, though, and an understanding passed between the two friends.

Adaira caught the fact that Santiago used my first name.

Mr. Burgess said, “Mistress Fairborn, that’s amazing! How did you do that?”

Briony shrugged, just as bewildered as everyone else.I can’ very well admit I’ve never swum before. It just came instinctively.

“Well, whatever it was, I’m eternally in your debt,” Lucia said. “We better still take you to Dr. Sherwin now, brother, to make sure nothing is amiss.”

Santiago nodded and allowed his sister to help him stand. She placed his arm around her neck to give him support. Mr. Burgess quickly went around to his other side and did the same.

Adaira looked at Briony with concern, so the midwife smiled and rose to her feet to show that all was well.

Physically, at least. Emotionally…She stared at Santiago’s back as Lucia and Mr. Burgess led him down the beach.He seems so close and yet so far away. I miss the feel o’ his touch. If only his arms were around me instead.

Unexpectedly, he moved his head back, and their eyes met for the briefest of seconds. Something important lay hidden within those green orbs—

But the moment was over as quickly as it started, and Santiago turned his head as he continued forward.

What could he have wanted to tell me?

After she convinced Adaira she was well enough to be left alone, Briony tried to process what had just happened. She stared out at the waves that she’d always avoided, wondering what she should do next. Eagerness rippled through her heart, spreading down to the tips of her toes.I have to swim again.