Chapter 2
See Prologue Part 1 of 2 for Disclaimer, Spoiler and Author's Note
Early Saturday Morning
"Christopher, I am confident I may speak for brother Aubrey as well, as myself, when I say we each hold you in high regard; both as a man and as Samantha's friend. I should add as Aubrey's friend as well."
Foyle instinctively braced for the bomb the drop, "Thank you."
"Now, I find this to be a bit difficult to verbalize, without it sounding accusatory or judgmental in some way. Please know neither are my intent. There is nothing tangible, no singular moment I can pinpoint, and I must say, if I am at all wrong, I am sorry for ever even mentioning it."
It was apparent the man was trying hard to put him at ease; but, Foyle was growing more apprehensive the longer the man went on trying to soften whatever it was he had wanted to say. Foyle hoped the conversation would come to its conclusion soon; his nerves couldn't take much more and they would be at their fishing destination in a short while.
Playing a hunch, Foyle offered, "Everett, I have every reason to believe you," with a glance to their companion he added, "and Aubrey, only have Sam's best interest at heart. Please, tell me what it is that is bothering you."
"The only bother, Christopher, is the concern of offending you."
"Understood. You mean no offense and you are making no accusation." He gave him a nod and then looked away hoping it would hasten the man's statement if he weren't feeling scrutinized.
Everett resumed strong but soon became hesitant in his delivery, "Right. Good. It is just that I, uh we, think there is a strong possibility that your, uh, feelings, for Samantha, are uh, deeper, than those of a mere friend."
Foyle halted and stared at Everett but said nothing.
Sam's youngest uncle, likely only a couple of years older than Foyle himself, quickly added, "I, we, are not posing a question, and we are not asking for an answer." He stole a glance at his brother.
Aubrey tried to help as he hastily offered, "We are equally sure of Samantha's feelings for you being deeper than those for a friend."
That was enough reinforcement for Everett to continue with a level of confidence he had previously lacked in broaching the subject, "Whether or not either, or both, of you have ever voiced such feelings, or may in future, is no one's business but your own. Neither Aubrey nor I have ever nor will ever speak to anyone, beyond you this morning, about our belief of potential deeper feelings between you and Samantha. It is none of our business, beyond saying whatever the two of you may choose; you will both continue to have our respect and support.
To call him stunned would have been an understatement. Foyle's gaze drifted from one brother, to the other, and back again. He wasn't at all sure what to make of the entire situation: conversation, attitudes, and most especially the revelation that they thought Sam had behaved in a way to make her uncles think her feelings for him went beyond friendship. His eyes drifted once again from one man to the other, his mind pinging off one confusing thought to another.
Aubrey broke through Foyle's rumination, just slightly, with the innocuous comment, "We're nearly there. Shall we get about our fishing? Too lovely and quiet a morning to waste."
"Indeed." agreed Everett without a pause between their words.
Foyle trod along behind them, his eyes barely focused on the two men ahead of him, as his mind flooded with questions.
Once they reached their fishing spot, each man set up in his own area, in silent communion with nature. It wasn't long before the fish began to bite and Foyle's focus was drawn fully to the task of netting a catch. In the process his line tangled and required him to step to the bank and retrieve a knife and another fly. While he worked to reset his split cane for continued use he heard someone clear their throat. Turning to look over his shoulder he saw Aubrey standing a short distance off. As soon as they made eye contact the older man closed most of the space between them.
His voice was low and gentle, "Christopher, I do hope Everett and I have not overstepped the bounds of our friendship. I am most certain that you are not a man who appreciates his private life being the point of speculation. Neither Everett nor I are trying, in any way, to tell you what you should or should not do. And we certainly do not wish to cause you any undue concern or embarrassment. We just want to be sure you know he and I approve; should you and Samantha ever decide there is more between the two of you than your friendship."
Foyle nodded and managed a quiet, "Thank you, Aubrey. I appreciate your candor and discretion."
Suddenly, there was something else for Foyle to ponder, why had he mentioned 'discretion'? Did that imply they were right; had he just confirmed their suspicions? How could he confirm anything when he was not sure of a single thing at that very moment?
Aubrey clasped his shoulder and gave him a warm smile, "You are most welcome, Christopher. Always."
Foyle gave him an acknowledging, although juddering, nod and Aubrey turned to return to his area for another go at the fish.
Foyle's body went through the motions and he ended up with an additional five fish in his creel. He had no idea how many fish his companions had caught. In truth he wasn't even sure how he had managed to catch as many as he had; didn't even remember netting more than three of his catch. There would be plenty of fish for all at breakfast that day and a good bit more for Aubrey's larder. Foyle was pleased with that but otherwise his mind was decidedly unsettled.
Foyle had spent the entire time fishing completely focused on whether his feelings for Sam were as the two men had surmised. After they had collected all their gear, but before they began the walk back to the vicarage, Foyle broke the silence of the trio, "I do not know the depths of my feelings for Sam. That has never been anything I have ever considered. She's been my driver, assistant and trusted friend for nearly nine years. The nature of our working relationship has changed and our friendship has grown. But, none of that has ever been cause for me to question or analyze my feelings for her. We have never had occasion to discuss the nature of our relationship; beyond expressing our mutual sense of family. Never has anything more come into question. You'll forgive me if I am unable to give you any additional answer, at present."
"Christopher we were not expecting any answer. Everett and I simply wanted you to know if there were ever a change, ah, time, when you and Samantha were 'closer' we would not waiver in our opinion of you or our support for the two of you.
"You owe us no explanation, Christopher. It was never my intention to try and illicit any information from you."
"No, no, I understand Everett. Just been working on sorting it all out for myself. Thought it only fair the two of know what I know, eeeerrrrr, rather, what I don't know. Yet." Foyle shrugged as apology; still looking and feeling very confused.
Everett placed a hand on Foyle's shoulder, "Don't let it bother you. Should that time ever come, you'll know."
"Thank you. It isn't bothering me as if it's a worry, just aaaa persistent unknown. I think I should know."
"We understand. And, if you want to talk about it we will listen without judgement or any attempt to influence." Everett said as he handed Foyle his rod to carry and picked up Foyle's creel to balance the other two he had on one shoulder.
The three men walked abreast of each other in silence for a several minutes.
Foyle started to speak in a soft tone, as though he may have simply been thinking aloud and wasn't really aware he was sharing his thoughts, "We have been through a lot working together; survived the war together. I care about Sam and it pains me to see her hurt."
The brothers exchanged a quick glance to confirm they both were hearing him.
His pace continued, thoughtfully, but not haltingly so, "Her accomplishments foster a strong sense of pride for me; because I know her and how she gives her best to everything she does. Worries me to think of her being alone; lonely." Foyle stopped talking and in a couple more steps stopped walking as well; his focus turned down to the path.
Both Stewarts turned back to face him. Foyle looked up and made eye contact with each, in turn, before explaining the clearest part of his reflections, "Sam has been such a prominent part of my life for the better part of eight years, almost nine. I'm not sure what my life would be like without her in it. But, I am most certain; I don't ever want to find out."
Each of the men nodded; a silent consensus among them. They resumed their walk to the vicarage in silence.
As they reached the low wall of the graveyard Aubrey paused and his companions followed suit. "Christopher, may I suggest you and Samantha take a nice, long, walk together after breakfast? Maybe back along the path here. Or down the sway, well beyond Parkin's orchard." He looked at the younger man for acknowledgment of understanding.
When Foyle gave a slow, short deliberate nod, Everett added, "Aubrey and I will keep Galen and Iain occupied until tea."
Another nod from Foyle and the trio continued toward the house.
As they reached the back door, Everett set the three creels on the garden table and flipped each one open. Aubrey continued inside while Foyle and Everett reviewed the catch in total. Aubrey returned with a stack of newspaper, an apron and a small wooden box. He quickly set about covering the work table with the papers; the other two men lifting creels and helping to spread the papers. That part of the job soon dispatched, Aubrey set the box on the table and opened it; revealing a fine set of fish knives nestled in a cut to fit oak tray.
Foyle picked up Aubrey's apron and slipped it on, "I'll clean them."
Aubrey and Everett started speaking at once; their protests overlapping each other.
"You already caught more than the two of us combined." "It's too big a job for one person." "Christopher, you are our guest." "Really, it's not necessary."
Sam heard the friendly commotion from the kitchen.
"I appreciate being an invited guest but I refuse to be waited on around here while everyone else pitches in. Aubrey do you have an objection to my using your set? It's obviously of fine quality and I would certainly understand if you did."
"No. Not at all Christopher, I am sure you would treat them well."
"I will." With that he pulled a fish from the nearest creel and set to work. "Have you a bucket handy, or is there another ..."
Aubrey stepped away, "Yes, a bucket. Be right back."
Foyle looked to Everett and said very quietly, "I believe the two of you agreed to relieve me after breakfast this morning. The least I can do is help to get the meal together." He held the other man's eyes with an expectant expression.
Everett whispered back "Oh, yes! Right." then raised his voice to his usual volume. "I think I'll see what Samantha is doing. Maybe she can lend you a hand."
Aubrey returned with a bucket and set it down just at Foyle was ready to deposit the first of the entrails.
Everett continued, "And that will free Aubrey and me to start the rest of the breakfast preparations."
Aubrey picked on the subtle hint in his brother's words and fell in quickly, "Very good idea. I am quite hungry this morning."
The two men turned toward the house as Sam stepped out tying an apron behind her back. "I see you three have had quite the success this morning."
Everett stepped back to the table with her, "It is mostly Christopher's success, my dear. Look here." He tilted Foyle's creel for her to see. "Not only did he catch more than Aubrey and me," pulling two fish out, he held them up to display, "he caught the two largest of the day."
He placed the fish back in the creel and leaned to whisper to his niece, "Samantha darling, do trust me and stay close to Christopher this morning, eh?" With a wink he straightened and said louder, "Thank you for this Samantha. You know I really am fonder of catching, cooking and eating fish; not cleaning them."
She played along very convincingly, "Yes, I know that very well Uncle Everett. Just as I know I owe you a fish cleaning from my last visit to see you." She brushed a light kiss on his cheek, and whispered, "Thank you."
Foyle was finishing his second fish when Sam fell in next to him and plucked a fish from one of the creels. They seamlessly adapted their approach to a more assembly-line style; expediting the task at hand. As they worked together the pair chatted in soft tones. Foyle explained that Everett and Aubrey had offered to keep Iain and Galen busy after breakfast and asked her to take a walk with him. When Sam readily agreed, he went on to say his chat with Aubrey and Everett that morning was enlightening and he had some important things he wanted to discuss with her. In very little time they had finished cleaning all of the fish, had the creels cleaned and set to air out and Sam had retrieved a pan for breakfast cooking and a set of containers for the extra fish to be stored in Aubrey's larder.
When the assembled group were close to finishing breakfast Aubrey suggested, "Christopher why don't you take Samantha back to where we were fishing this morning? Samantha, dear, you must show Christopher the nest we found the other day; it completely slipped my mind this morning."
Confusion flit across her face but was immediately replaced by a bright expression and matching smile, "Oh yes, the nest. I do hope it's still there."
When Iain and Galen looked between Sam and Aubrey questioningly, Everett interjected before Galen could start with his questions, "We found the strangest little nest, built rather awkwardly along the water's edge. Seemed impossible it could hold together, let alone stay stationery in the soggy water rim."
Aubrey and Sam gave Everett quick looks of gratitude and relief before finding other things to be interested in. At which point, Foyle was certain, in observing the all too rapid nonverbal communication between the three that there never had been a nest. He was further entertained by the fact that neither Galen nor Iain had caught on to the phony excuse. For a brief moment he thought he may have been wrong when Galen announced he would join them.
Aubrey quickly stopped him as he offered in a sweet tone; ideal for masking his mirth at besting Galen, "But brother dear, you are on clean up. Christopher and Samantha cleaned the fish and set table and Everett and I cooked breakfast."
"That's right! So you and Iain have clean up." Everett added cheerily as he picked up a small stack of dishes and headed for the kitchen, "Here, I'll even help get you two started. Then, I intend to trounce brother Aubrey at chess."