Page 57 of Sensing Selma
Oh, my. I teetered back and reached out to grip something, anything to hold me steady. Brad offered his hand, holding me tight as I fought to breathe.
“I don’t really know what he could have done to her, but the results are clear,” the major added. “She’s devastated.”
“Poor Holly.” I took my hand away from Brad’s and found my balance. “My dearest Holly. Her heart must be in tatters. To have your heart trampled in such a way...”
Brad clamped his lips tightly and looked to the floor.
“Oh, and what will happen when Damen Dominic returns. How will she face him?” I looked at him. “I do hope you’re mistaken. I do hope there’s simply been a misunderstanding.”
He nodded.
“If not, we will surely have to leave here,” I said, with no idea where to go.
“Well,” Major Cooper said. “It’s late. I think we should be going.”
As he stepped away, Brad took a step closer. “I’ll be down in a minute,” he called back to the major.
“I have to go in and check on Holly,” I said, uncomfortable with the idea of being alone with him.
“I...I would just like to say...”
“There’s nothing to say, Brad.” I didn’t like the bite of my words, but I couldn’t hide how he had hurt me.
“I’m ashamed of the way I left Selma Sanctuary,” he went on. “I let my brother tell me what to do, tell me where to go, and I blindly obeyed. Such is the relationship I have with him; have always had with him. But I think it’s time I put an end to that.”
“You’re a mature man,” I said. “Do as you please.” I turned away.
“Susan,” he whispered, gently grasping my hand. “I was a coward. I admit it, and there hasn’t been a moment I haven’t regretted it. And I am still looking for a solution to the situation with Selma Sanctuary.”
“Well, good luck with that.”
“Jeremy is still determined to make a hotel of it.”
I looked straight at him, wanting to tell him how he’d hurt me, wanting him to tell me what was truly in his heart. Was his regret strictly with regards to Selma Sanctuary, or was there an ounce of regret for leaving me?
Before he could say anything more, Major Cooper returned.
“Miss Susan,” he said. “If I may, I would like to make a suggestion with regards to Holly. If I understand the situation as I believe I do, I think I can help Holly out of her heartache.
