Malachi couldn’t help a soft laugh at that.

“I suppose it does,” he agreed. “And I think you’re right. They certainly could be.”

There was no reason why a predator could not first befriend its prey.

He led them out of the water and to their waiting shoes, and once he’d pulled his back on, he gave a nod. Yes, he was confident that there would be a next time – so long as the siblings stayed in town long enough for there to be. Malachi’s discomfort was clear on his face once he took a step, however, as his socks and shoes slowly succumbed to the water that still dripped from the rest of him.

What an awful feeling. If he had much else other than his cassocks, he would have to wear them the next time he decided jumping in a river was a good idea.

Malachi shivered, suddenly cool despite the summer heat.

Holding a hand out to Mable, he said, “we should head back towards the hotel, before your brother gets back and worries about you.”