‘You will.’
Sam walked out to her car with her and Skye, and Clara glanced towards the house, ensuring they were alone, before stepping closer to him.
‘Thank you for being here today. My family adore you… and Skye.’
Clara laughed. ‘Yes, she’s a big hit.’
Sam cupped her cheek in his hand. ‘I wish things could be different… in so many ways.’
‘Me too.’ She slipped her hand around his cheek, and his hands found her waist, pulling her gently towards him. He leaneddown, his lips meeting hers. The soft bristles of his beard tickled her, and she smiled into a lingering kiss that left her weak at the knees.
‘See you tomorrow,’ he murmured.
The following morning, Clara applied a light touch of makeup before she was due to head back to Sam’s house for an outing with his family. At her door, she stood for a few moments. Should she take an overnight bag? Was that necessary? It wasn’t that far… but…
‘Oh god,’ she moaned to Skye. ‘I’m overthinking this, and I don’t know what I should do.’
Well, if she took the bag, at least that option was there. So she packed it in the car and headed to Clachnabronnachan.
When she arrived at Sam’s, Kaleb and Jacob were there already, and Clara was met by a whirlwind of greetings. Skye sniffed around the various feet in the hallway.
‘Hey Clara,’ Kaleb said.
‘Hi. How are you?’
‘Fine.’ He pulled a little shrug to accompany his grin.
Jacob rushed up to Skye with Alisha and Mina. ‘Is Skye coming with us?’ he asked.
‘Definitely. She’s all ready.’
He and the girls fell to their knees to fuss over the dog, who rolled onto her back.
Sam appeared from the kitchen, looking handsome in a short-sleeved Henley shirt – with the buttons undone – and jeans. His eyes met Clara’s, and a smile spread across his face. ‘Morning.’ He waved to her across the gaggle of kids in the hallway.
‘Hi.’ She waved back, unable to move very far as the kids were on the floor in front of her.
Moira and Claire came down the stairs, chatting.
‘Goodness me.’ Moira shook her head at the chaos. ‘I think you should all get your shoes on, and we’ll head out now Clara and Skye are here.’
‘Skye’s so cute.’ Mina ruffled her fur and kissed her on the nose.
‘Yeah, come on, kiddos.’ Sam clapped his hands together. ‘Grandma’s right.’
‘As I always am.’ Moira winked at Clara.
The kids moved off in a flurry of activity as they grabbed shoes and hauled them on. Sam dumped a backpack in the hall.
‘Are you ok?’ He smiled at Clara, finally able to reach her.
‘Yeah.’
‘You can come with me and the boys, if you like,’ Sam said to Clara. ‘We’ll take Skye too. That’ll save you having to bring your car.’
‘Perfect.’
‘Aw, but I wanted to go with Skye,’ Alisha said.
