Her heart gave a violent leap. Even blurred by rain, she’d know that tall, lean outline anywhere. Sam.
He was jogging hard, his jacket flapping open, a backpack bouncing against one shoulder. His hair was plastered to his forehead, his eyes fixed on her, and something inside Clara sparked to life at the sight.
‘Clara!’ His voice carried through the downpour as he broke into a faster run.
She quickened her pace too, her pulse thudding. Heat flared through the chill, radiating from her chest to her fingertips.
When he reached her, she slowed to a halt, clutching Skye against her as the rain poured around them. His wet face split into a breathless smile so full of raw relief that it weakened her knees.
She gave him a wan smile, but before she could say a single word, he caught her up in his arms, pulling her and Skye tight against his chest, wrapping his jacket around them both as though he could shield them from everything.
‘God, you’re freezing,’ he murmured, his breath warm against her ear, a deep vibration she felt through every inch of her.
Clara let herself fold into him, her body trembling against his. The world narrowed to the press of his chest and the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek. She’d never known relief like it. ‘I’m ok,’ she tried to say, but her chattering teeth made a liar of her.
‘Thank god for that,’ he whispered. ‘I was terrified. I heard sirens…’ He pulled back, scanning her face, rain dripping from his hair, his brow furrowed in worry. ‘Come on, let’s get you under cover.’
He steered her gently towards a huge oak, its branches offering some shelter. Setting down his backpack, he unzipped it. ‘Here. Let’s get you warm.’ His gaze swept over her, hesitant but intent. ‘If you take off the wet top, I’ve got a T-shirt.’
Clara hesitated only a second. She’d never felt more bedraggled in her life – her hair plastered to her face, her fingers numb – but she trusted him completely.
He took Skye from her arms, tucking the little dog inside a towel. Skye gave a tiny squeak of protest before wriggling into the warmth. Clara peeled off her soaked top, her skin prickling in the cold, and pulled on the dry t-shirt. It was far too big, the cotton soft against her chilled skin, smelling faintly of him.
‘Here.’ Sam draped a fleecy blanket around her shoulders. The heat hit her like a wave. She pulled it close, her fingers trembling as she burrowed into the softness.
He was crouched beside her, rubbing Skye dry, his blue eyes flicking up to meet hers. There was so much emotion in them.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered, her voice catching. ‘Sam, I… I have so much to tell you.’
A gust of wind lashed through the trees, scattering droplets from the branches above. Clara shivered again. Without a word, Sam pulled her back inside his jacket, wrapping it tight around both of them. The sound of the rain faded to a soft hiss against the leaves, the world closing into the small, sacred space they shared.
She could smell him – the dampness of his coat, the trace of cologne that lingered even after the rain. His warmth seeped through the blanket and through her resolve. Everything she’d been holding back pressed at her chest.
‘Tell me,’ he said quietly, his lips close enough that she felt the words as much as heard them.
She looked up. His eyes caught hers, steady and searching, the rain still trickling down his temples, but the words didn’t come.
‘You can tell me anything.’ His hands tightened gently at her back, as though he needed the anchor of touching her. He drew a deep breath, his throat working. ‘Because… Clara, I… I love you.’
The world stilled. The sound of the river, the rain, the wind – all of it fell away.
Her breath caught. Her eyes widened, her lips parted, but no sound came. It was the first time he’d said it out loud – the words she’d only heard in dreams.
He gazed at her, and she knew it was real.
Warmth flooded through her, melting the cold right out of her. She reached for him, fingers trembling as they brushed his jaw. The rain still poured, the wind still gusted through the trees – but she no longer felt any of it.
‘You do?’ Her voice came out as a whisper, barely audible above the rain.
He nodded, rain-dark hair falling across his forehead, a small, uncertain smile tugging at his lips. ‘I do. But I’m afraid… afraid of rushing things, of scaring you away.’
‘You don’t scare me,’ she said quickly, her breath hitching.
He gave a helpless little shrug, his eyes flicking away for a moment before finding hers again. ‘I’m glad, because whatever happens, I love you, Clara. And I need you to know that. I might have messed everything up with Olive… I called her, and we argued about the boys – my sons. She’s going to make my life difficult, I’m sure, but I can deal with it, because I have you. My best friend. My fake date… though there’s nothing fake in here.’ He took her hand and held it over his heart.
Something broke open inside her. Her chest constricted, then swelled with so much feeling she could hardly breathe. The world blurred. She blinked hard, but the tears kept spilling anyway, warm against her cold cheeks. A sob of joy burst free as she threw her arms around his neck.
‘Oh, Sam,’ she gasped, pressing her face into the curve of his shoulder. ‘I love you too. So much. And I know I say that far too much, but I really mean it.’
