Francis was about to offer to take her home but she spoke and he froze. HIs voice lowered and his gentle look turned serious.

"Don't say that .Don't ever say that."

He started towards her but kept away from the touch of the waves. "Your brother loves you. He's not perfect, and maybe things are difficult right now. But you would be sad if he were really gone. You can't mean what you said. Please, if it's cause of me I can let you be." He would probably sneak around, but he honestly thought the other was right and it wasn't him.