“Really?”

Malachi did not miss the sentiment, but he thought it was unlikely that her presence would not be missed. When her eyes found him again, his head tilted to the side, and he said, “I find that hard to believe.”

‘Finally free’ was an odd choice of words as well. He blinked as the woman reached for her stockings, and regretted not fetching them for her – was she supposed to be bending down like that?

The priest shook his head, “you disturbed nothing. I was merely out for a walk.”

It was not the farthest thing from the truth he’d ever said.

“Finally free,” Malachi repeated then, setting his crossed arms on the rock to lean heavier on it.

“Might I ask what you’ve found freedom from?”