For almost ten minutes, Violet had waited at the large boulder just off the path from town when Jimmy finally arrived.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, before she could snap about his punctuality. “I had to stop by the mercantile and pick something up, and it took a little longer than I’d planned. Seems they got a new shipment of cloth in, and apparently, every woman except you felt a need to touch it.”

Violet swallowed the caustic comment she’d been prepared to unleash on him, wincing at the bitter taste. Why had she almost berated him? He was here to help her, and ten minutes late wasn’t a big deal. “It’s all right, and I do plan to touch the new cloth once we’re done and the rush settles a bit.”

He flashed her a dimpled grin, and her heart fluttered. Heavens, he was gorgeous! It would be so easy to become enamored of someone like him. She’d seen it happen time and again back home. A sharp suit, a quick smile and a charming demeanor, mixed with obscene wealth, tended to blind most women and hurl them straight into love. Violet herself had fallen prey to such a man before as well.

The reminder straightened her spine. She wasn’t here to drool over Mr. Thornton. She was here to learn how to swim. “Where are we going?”

“The spot I picked isn’t far. Let’s head over there now.”

She nodded and motioned for her horse to follow him off the path. It unnerved her to leave the worn trail. When she’d done so yesterday, she’d gotten into trouble, and being a city girl, she hadn’t dared to do such a thing at any time previously. One wrong turn, and she would likely become lost, without the skills needed to survive or return home on her own.

But Jimmy knew what he was doing. He’d lived here a long time, and she could sense he was a survivor. Besides that, she really knew very little about him. He had money, of course. Lots of it. She’d heard that about him when he’d courted Aria last summer, but other than his bachelorhood status, and that he was well off after striking it rich, he was a mystery.

She felt safe with him though. He’d saved her, and if he’d had nefarious thoughts, he would have acted on them yesterday when she had been weak and essentially laid out before him, unable to fight back.

She blew out a long breath when she thought of how Juliette and Willow had fretted over her upon her return home the previous day. They’d been worried sick when she’d disappeared, and even though they were relieved she was alive, they’d taken her straight to her room and tucked her in bed for the rest of day, making sure she had plenty of broth to keep her warm and help build her strength.

They’d been so kind to her, and Violet knew not even her mother would have treated her with such care.

Jimmy led her through a grove of trees, holding a branch out of her way so she could maneuver past without hitting her face. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “It’s just past those rocks over there.” He pointed to a cluster of boulders not far off, before leading her forward.

Just after the rocks, he stopped his horse and dismounted. “This is it.”

Violet eyed the slow-moving water. “It looks calmer and lower than yesterday. Why would there be less water today?”

“There isn’t. It just appears to be through this section. It’ll be ideal to learn to swim here.”

Violet stepped closer to the bank of the river, bent over, and ran her fingers through the water to check the temperature. She inhaled sharply. “It’s still cold.”

He shrugged as he dug through his saddle bags. “It’s warmer than yesterday, I guarantee that. Maybe not by much, but you won’t freeze to death.” He pulled out two thermoses and added, “Still, I brought some soup to help us warm up once were done.”

She shifted her feet at the thoughtful gesture. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had done something so considerate, at least, not for her anyway. “Why are you doing all this?”

He repacked their lunch for later and glanced over his shoulder. “Doing what?”

“All of this?” She waved her hand toward the water, and then to his bag. “Teaching me to swim, bringing soup... I don’t get why you’re making the effort. You must have something better to do with your time.”

“There’s always other things I could be doing. But better? I guess that’s a matter of opinion. I don’t think there’s anything better than this right now. Do you?”

She blushed, but simply shook her head and looked away. “So how do we do this?” She closed her eyes and groaned. “I didn’t even think about what I would wear. I can’t swim in this.” She pinched the full skirt up slightly and gestured to all the undergarments that would immediately drag her under.

“Take them off then.”

“What?” she screeched. “I can’t just take my clothes off and swim naked!”

He smothered a grin with his hand. “No?”

“Absolutely not.”

He gave an exaggerated, long-suffering sigh. “I guessed you would say that.” He grabbed a brown paper-wrapped parcel from his bags and tossed it to her. “This is what I picked up from the mercantile.”

She looked at the paper suspiciously. “What is it?”

“You’ll have to open it to find out.”

She’d never been good at waiting for surprises. Even as a child, she’d hounded her nannies without mercy, until they’d finally had enough and told her about her birthday gifts.

With the self-control of the same child she’d been back then, she deftly ripped open the paper, and uncovered a garment made of black material, trimmed with white. Unraveling it, her jaw dropped. “A swim costume?”

“Yeah. I thought you might object to swimming in the nude.”

She held the fabric and continued to stare at it. “You bought me a swim costume?” she repeated, before looking up at him.

“I did.”

He gave her a side smile, and she studied his eyes, looking for a trick, but all she saw was genuine pleasure. “Thank you.”

He nodded and stepped forward. “You seem unused to getting gifts.”

“I am. At least from anyone except my father and mother. Even then, they didn’t pick them out for me, they had servants who did that.”

“That’s a shame. I think picking out a gift, trying to find something perfect just for that person, is half the fun.”

“What’s the other half?”

“Watching them open it.”

She flushed again at his words when she saw appreciation fill his eyes. She didn’t understand him. He was being kind to her, giving her gifts, taking time to teach her to swim, and he was happy about it. “I don’t understand you.”

He laughed and pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a muscled chest peppered with dark hair. “Maybe you will eventually.”

Any comment she had was swallowed as she took in his bare skin. She’d spied men with their shirts off when they were working a time or two, but she’d always averted her eyes, not wanting them to notice her interest, but Violet couldn’t pull her eyes away from this man if she wanted to.

She’d never seen such perfection. Her ex-fiancé had attended a boxing club, and while his clothed form had been pleasing, she couldn’t imagine he possessed this type of raw, masculine strength.

She wanted to reach out and trace the contours of Jimmy’s muscles, to see if his skin was as warm as she felt inside while looking at him.

She cleared her throat, shutting down those thoughts, and tore her gaze away from him. “I should probably change.”

He nodded toward the boulders. “Go behind those. I’ll stay over here so you’ll have plenty of privacy.

“Thank you.”

She walked the short distance and laid out the bathing costume on the rocks, fretting over the tight pantaloons that went under the short dress. She chewed her bottom lip as she imagined herself in it. She’d never worn anything so revealing—so scandalous—in her entire life.

But this is appropriate attire for the activity, she reminded herself. Besides, it’s not as if the entire town will me in such a state...only Jimmy.

That thought made her stomach flutter. He would see her true shape. The outfit definitely wouldn’t hide the curves of her hips and calves. She would be fully on display.

Letting out a slow breath, she started removing her gown, slipping out of it quicker than she would have imagined a year ago. She was embarrassed to admit, before she’d arrived in Promise Creek, she’d never dressed herself. The first time she’d had to undress by herself, it’d been impossible, and she’d ended up cutting off her blouse.

She snorted as she thought about how far she’d come since then.

She slid her legs through the pants and pulled them snug over her hips, before smoothing the material in place. It fit her perfectly, and made her wonder how Jimmy had judged her size so well. He must be very familiar with the female form to have guessed her size so accurately, and why that thought bothered her so much, she had no idea.

After she lifted the top over her head and settled the fabric over her body, she twirled in a small circle and watched as the inky material spun out. She looked like the girls she’d seen bathing on the shore back home. She’d been so jealous of their freedom, as her own parents had forbidden her from ever participating in such an activity. If they could only see her now...

She slid on the small slippers that went with the outfit, and even though the soles were a little scratchy, she was grateful for the protection. Not only were there sticks and rocks scattered on the dry ground, but there had to be all sorts of rocks and debris in the riverbed as well.

“How’s it fitting?” Jimmy called from the other side of the rocks.

She jerked and darted her gaze around to see if he’d caught her admiring the clothing so foolishly, but relaxed when she realized he was still on the other side.

Rounding the rocks, she saw him at the water’s edge, his pant legs rolled up past his calves and his chest still bare. “It’s perfect.” Violet smoothed the material again and offered him a small smile. “Thank you. It was very thoughtful of you.”

His cheeks colored a little, and the sight intrigued her. Was he uneasy with compliments? He seemed like such an easy-going person, she found it hard to believe his shyness. She decided not to push it. “So how should we start?”

“Let’s get in.”

She looked at the calm surface, but hesitated moving forward. “Are you sure that’s best? Don’t you want to explain it all to me first, before we get in?” She twisted her fingers in front of her but didn’t glance up at him.

“It’s going to be fine. All we’re going to do is float today.”

That got her attention. “Float?”

“Yes.”

“But what good will that do me?”

“If you can learn to successfully float, then you won’t drown if you fall in again.”

She knew he was right, but if she was floating, she wouldn’t have her feet on the ground, and she wouldn’t be able to hold on to him. Anything could go wrong. He could let her go, then she might get caught up by the current and drown, before she ever really learned how to float successfully.

Why had she thought this was a good idea? He might have saved her before, but that didn’t mean she should risk her life by placing it in his hands again. This was a bad idea. “I’m not so sure about this anymore.”

“Hey.” He moved from the water over to her and took both her hands in his. He waited until she looked up into his eyes. “I’m going to take care of you.”

Her breath caught in her lungs at his words. When was the last time anyone had taken care of her? Truly taken care of her?

Richard had said he wanted to take care of her for the rest of their lives, but once Abigail Broderick had looked his way, he’d changed his tune quick enough. She shouldn’t have trusted him or his words, and Violet didn’t want to be a fool again by trusting another man now. She took a step away from him and said with a hint of wariness, “I don’t know...”

“Come on, let’s just get in and go from there. We won’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with, and the moment you want to stop or get out, we will. You’re making the choices here. Whatever you say is what we’ll do.”

“You mean that?”

“Of course!” He scoffed. “Anyone who would force you to do something isn’t worth dirt. You’re in charge here.”

Her muscles slowly relaxed and the urge to flee abated. He seemed so offended she didn’t believe him, that it swayed her. “All right. We’ll get in, at least, and see how it goes after that.”

He held up his hands. “That’s all I’m asking.”

The corner of her mouth quirked as he released one of her hands and gestured further out in the water. It was almost gallant in the way he did it, as if he were inviting her into Delmonico’s, her favorite restaurant in New York.

She paused at the edge of the river, took a deep breath, and dipped a toe in. She winced. “It’s just as cold as last time.”

He snorted. “It’s still spring.”

“I’m aware. Thank you very much.” Her tone was a bit sharp, and she immediately felt contrite. He was here to help her, and just because she was anxious and afraid, didn’t mean she should take it out on him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound caustic.”

He changed his grip from her hand to her elbow, urging her in another step. “I completely understand. If our places were reversed, I’d be swearing a blue streak.”

“No you wouldn’t.” She tossed him an amused glance, grateful he didn’t seem offended by her earlier tone.

When she brought her attention back to the water, she found she was in knee deep, and her muscles froze involuntarily.

“Easy,” he said soothingly. “I’m still holding on to you and nothing is going to happen. You’re safe.”

She nodded hard, but her throat was too tight to speak as she shuffled a bit further in the placid water. She was hip deep when she dug in her feet. “I think this is far enough.” She prayed he agreed with her.

He glanced over her face, before nodding. “All right. This should be enough for floating.”

She let out a relieved breath. This was all right. She was here, in the water, and Jimmy was holding on to her. She didn’t feel as if she was about to be ripped from his grasp and tugged downstream. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. “What next?”

“I’m just going to turn you like this.” He angled her so her left side brushed up against his chest. “And now I’m going to lean you back.”

A brief appreciation of his physique filtered through her mind as he began to lay her on her back, but the instant her backside hit the water, all thoughts of his fine attributes fled. Her eyes flew open, and she flailed when she was caught off balance. Her hands latched onto his forearms and she screeched. “Don’t let go!”

“I won’t,” he said reassuringly. “Try to relax. I won’t let go until you tell me.”

She didn’t look up at him as panic flew through her mind. This was crazy. Why had she ever thought this was a good idea?

“Hey, look at me. Look at me,” he repeated, a little firmer the second time. He waited until she brought her eyes to his. “I’ll protect you.”

She could see the promise in his eyes, and she decided to believe him. Slowly, the grip on his arms loosened.

“Good. That’s it!” he praised, and for some reason, it made her want to do more. “I’m going to move my hands underneath you, but you’ll feel my touch the entire time.” He settled his hands behind her back and knees, bringing her body toward the surface.

She shook, terrified, as well as cold. She was miserable. “What now?”

“We’re just going to stay like this for a bit, so you can get used to the water. Feel the way it’s holding you up, making you sway with the current? Just keep trying to relax.”

He made it sound easy, but her muscles were locked up as she shivered.

“Nice and easy. Just relax.”

His words became annoying, and she gave him the stink eye from under her lashes.

He laughed then. “Guess annoying you worked. You’ve relaxed.”

Her mouth dropped open, and she realized he was right. He’d distracted her for a moment from the cold and fear, and her muscles had responded. “You were trying to annoy me on purpose?”

“Anything to help you.”

Her lip quirked, appreciating his attempt to help her. “Sounds like something I’d do.”

“I believe that.”

With the heavy weight of his hands beneath her, she floated in the calm water. “This isn’t so bad.”

“Good. Just stay relaxed. Nice and steady. I’ve been holding you above water mostly, but I’m going to lower you just a tad. I won’t let go,” he quickly added before she could say it.

As her body sunk a bit more in the water, her ears went under, her eyes widened, and she took several shallow, panting breaths.

“You’re all right. I’m still here.” He pressed his hands more firmly beneath her. “Try slowing your breathing.”

It frustrated her that she’d panicked again. Why was this such a hard thing? Jimmy said he wouldn’t let her go, and he hadn’t. Why couldn’t that be enough to get her to relax?

She focused all her energy on her breathing, taking in deep breaths and slowly releasing them. Finally, she felt her muscles loosen again.

“That’s it.”

His voice was muffled while her ears were under water, but she could still make out his words. The whole world seemed hazy like this. She looked straight to the sky, the sun kissing the trees as light filtered in, all sounds muted except the steady flow of water and her heart. She closed her eyes, trying to better gauge how her body felt. Light, airy, and relaxed. “This is nice,” she said, her own words sounding warped to her.

“Do you want to try for more? I can keep my hands under you, just an inch away, but not touching you, if you’re ready?”

She slowly opened her eyes and met his. He smiled reassuringly, and she appreciated he wasn’t forcing more on her. And for that alone, she gave a small, single nod and said, “Let’s try.”

The respect she saw in his eyes made her feel lighter, more confident. With his help, she could do this. She was sure of it.