Chapter 4
Clara grabbed her phone, praying she didn’t end up regretting her decision. She quickly sent James a text, asking if they could discuss his proposal. A minute later, there was a knock on her door. When she opened it, James was standing there with a smile.
“Hi.”
She frowned. “Were you waiting outside my house?”
“No. When I got your text, I was close. I was eager to see what you decided.”
“Come in,” she sighed. “I swear, if you make me regret this, I will be very unhappy.”
“I get it. You won’t regret it. I have nothing to hide.”
“I don’t know about that,” she scoffed.
“Clara, I promise I’m not hiding anything.”
“Why did you lie earlier?” Clara asked, her gaze steady. “If you didn”t want to go out with me, I don”t need pity dates. It’s okay if we didn’t click. I never expected you to fall head over heels for me. Please, don’t treat me like I’m someone who needs your attention.”
“It isn’t like that at all. When I met you, I immediately liked you. I asked you to have coffee because I liked you. I had no idea about your connection to Victoria.”
“You asked me to have coffee because you wanted to pick my brain about the town’s history,” she reminded him. “You used me to further your investigation.”
“I didn’t use you like that,” he insisted. “Yes, I wanted to talk to you about what you knew about the town, but getting to know you was what I wanted. I like you. I really do. I like you beyond this situation. Even if none of this stuff with Victoria existed, I would still want to spend time with you. You’re a beautiful, intelligent woman. Any man would be lucky to be with you.”
Clara”s heart fluttered despite her resolve to remain detached. His words, sincere as they seemed, did little to silence the rational voice inside her head reminding her that feelings often clouded her judgment. She had to stay focused on the task at hand.
“Can I ask you a favor?” she asked quietly.
“Absolutely. Anything. Just name it.”
“Please, please don”t pretend to be something you”re not. I don”t want to play games. We can work on this mystery together, but I don”t need drama. I told you about my divorce. You are the first man I”ve dated, and I don”t want this to leave me with a bad taste for dating.”
He smiled. “First of all, I hope you won”t be dating anytime soon because I would really like to be the man you”re dating. Secondly, the last thing I want is drama. That”s one of the reasons I”m drawn to you. You”re drama-free. You”re confident and content in your life. Clara, we never have to talk about Victoria again. I”ll investigate on my own, but I want to see you.”
Clara studied James for a moment, searching his face. Was it possible that he was being genuine? She couldn”t deny the attraction she”d felt from their first encounter, but her protective walls were constructed with good reason. Betrayal had left its mark, and trust wasn”t something she relinquished easily.
“Alright,” she finally said, her voice cautious yet hopeful. “But James, I”m serious about working together on Victoria”s mystery. If we”re going to see each other, I need you to be upfront with me about everything. No half-truths, no omissions.”
“You have my word,” he replied earnestly.
She took a deep breath. “Alright. Tell me your story.”
“Let me start by saying my grandfather is in a nursing home, and he had an accident. I really did have to go home and deal with the situation. He had to be in the hospital for a couple of days. I didn”t want to leave until I got him settled again. That”s the honest truth.”
“I believe you,” she nodded.
“I was planning to come back tomorrow, but things changed, and I rushed back last night intending to call you, but it was late. I got to thinking about the Victoria situation and thought I would check things out.”
“Break in,” she said with a laugh.
“Yeah, I guess great minds think alike,” he joked.
“You scared the crap out of me,” she said. “I”ve never done anything like that before, just so we”re clear. I don”t make it a habit to break into people”s homes.”
“Me either.”
“Can you tell me about your grandfather?” Clara asked.
He paused. “Actually, I could, but I would like to take you out. Let”s shelve the investigation. I”ve missed you.”
The words took her by surprise. “Are you just saying that?”
“No. It was always my intention to ask you to spend the day with me. I was hoping you could show me around a bit. I”d love to see what Watch Hill has to offer. Consider today just me and you. What”s that movie line; I”m just a boy asking out a girl?”
Clara couldn”t help but laugh. “Well, that”s not exactly how the movie goes, but sure. I”d like that.”
Clara stood up, smoothing out her clothes with a nervous energy. “We can go for a hike if you”d like and maybe we can talk about the Samuel and Eleanor situation.”
“Sounds like a great plan. We can get lunch afterward.”
After a brief discussion with Clara presenting the many options, they ultimately decided to visit Prudence Island. Clara told him all about the hiking available.
“Wow,” James exclaimed. “This is really pretty.”
“I haven”t been here in a while,” Clara said.
Their conversation tapered off as they started on the trail, the natural beauty of Prudence Island unfolding before them. Towering trees stretched skyward. The scent of pine and damp earth mingled in the air with the occasional chirp of a bird.
Clara found herself relaxing in a way she hadn”t been able to do in a long time. As they walked, their conversation remained very casual with the weight of the Samuel mystery temporarily set aside.
“Do you normally hike or come out here on your days off?” James asked.
“I wish I could say I did,” she laughed. “But unfortunately, my life is not that exciting. I typically spend it running errands or cleaning house. I do like to try and work in the yard as well, but It doesn”t happen nearly as much as it should.”
“A house and yard are a lot to keep up with on your own,” he commented. “I admire you for being able to do it all.”
It was the first time anyone acknowledged just how much effort it took. “Thank you. It”s been good for me, though.”
“How so?”
“Going from a busy family of three to just me, I could have gone out of my head if I had time on my hands. I like staying busy. I don”t have time to think.”
“I get it,” he nodded.
James extended his hand to Clara. Hesitant but willing, she placed her hand in his, and they continued the hike, fingers intertwined. The simplicity of the gesture was meaningful without needing words. Clara had not held another man”s hand like this since her world had turned upside down. She found the warmth of his grip comforting.
Clara found herself enjoying the experience, a stark contrast to the solitude she had grown accustomed to in the aftermath of her divorce.
They paused at a clearing, the vibrant colors of wildflowers dancing in the gentle breeze. James turned to Clara, a soft smile playing on his lips. “I”m glad we”re doing this together.”
Clara, caught in the moment, felt a warmth in her heart. “Me too,” she admitted, a vulnerability in her voice.
James nodded, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiled. “I can”t remember the last time I just went outside and enjoyed nature,” he confessed. “It”s a nice change of pace. The last couple of months have been hectic with my grandfather. I get itchy when I can’t get into nature.”
“You”re a nature boy,” she teased.
“I am,” he nodded. “When people talk about retirement, they think of a cabin in the woods. I think about a tent in the middle of nowhere.”
“That might be a little too rustic for me,” she laughed.
“You live in a beautiful place,” he said with genuine awe in his voice.
She turned her gaze toward the horizon, where the sea blended seamlessly with the sky. “It”s easy to forget how beautiful it is here when you”re all caught up in life”s troubles,” she said softly.
For a while, they stood there, hands still entwined, and enjoyed the view and the stillness of the moment.
“Should we go find somewhere to get lunch?” he asked.
“Sounds good to me.”
She turned to start back down the trail, but he stopped her, pulling gently on her hand.
“What is it?” she asked.
He pulled her to him, looking into her eyes before kissing her softly.
Clara was shocked into stillness for a heartbeat or two, then found herself melting into the kiss, her heart pounding wildly. His lips were warm and gentle against hers, sparking a response she hadn”t thought to experience again, yet here it was in all its breathtaking intensity. For a brief moment, the world shrank down to just the two of them, there in the wild beauty of nature.
When they finally pulled apart, Clara was breathless and slightly dazed. James rubbed his thumb gently over her knuckles as he looked down at her with a tenderness that made her heart ache.
“I just... I needed to do that,” he said. “You never have to question my intentions.”