Chapter 8
The road stretched ahead as Clara and James embarked on the drive to his grandfather”s nursing home up north. The anticipation of spending time together filled Clara with excitement. She had taken a couple of days off from the library. It was her first mini vacation since the divorce. Even before that. She couldn’t remember the last time she had gone on a road trip. It was exciting to get to spend time with James and get to know him.
As they passed through quaint, small towns, James shared bits and pieces of his childhood memories with her. Fond memories of fishing trips, setting up camp in the wilderness, and the brutal snowy winters. Clara was drawn to his stories and the way his face would light up as he talked about his past. She found herself smiling at his laugh and getting lost in his tales.
“Tell me about your daughter,” he said.
Clara smiled. “She”s a good kid. I know every parent says that, but it”s true. She”s a really good kid. I miss her like crazy. I know she”s enjoying Florida, but it”s so hard not having her under the same roof.”
“Do you talk often?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “Not as often as I would like, but she”s eighteen and spreading her wings. I”m glad she gets to experience all of this. I never went to college. I got married right out of high school. I barely had time to be an adult before I was pregnant and raising a baby.”
“I bet she appreciates all you did for her,” James said, glancing at her before returning his gaze to the road. “And who knows? Maybe this is your time to spread your wings.”
Clara laughed softly, “Maybe you”re right, James.”
“I had always dreamed of traveling the country,” she admitted. “We used to talk about going to Vegas for a week or spending some time on a beach in Florida. It”s crazy how the life you plan can be upended so quickly.”
“What happened?” he asked.
“Life,” she sighed. “Not that I regret anything or would change anything, but commitments to Cassidy”s dance classes and soccer practice kept me grounded. Every year, it just got busier and busier. We managed to get down to Florida for a family vacation once. We took her to Disney World. Of course, she picked up a stomach bug and we had to cut our vacation short. Our other vacations were always close by. Between my husband”s work schedule and Cassidy”s commitments, there was just never any good time to leave for more than a few days.”
James reached over to pat her hand, his warmth offering comfort. “But that”s parenting, right? You give up your desires for your child.”
Clara nodded, remembering Cassidy as a toddler running into her arms after her first day of preschool. “It hasn”t always been easy, but it has been worth the sacrifices. I always assumed that once we dropped her off at college, we would have that time to travel.”
“And then he left you,” James said.
“Yep. I don”t know why I didn”t go off on my own after the divorce.”
“I can”t say for certain, but I would guess it was all about keeping your head above water. Survival.”
Clara looked at him, surprised that he nailed it. “Exactly. I didn”t know how to be alone.”
He chuckled. “And I”m just the opposite. After losing my parents and my grandfather going into the home, I”ve realized how isolating my life has been. I guess I”ve been afraid to let myself get involved after getting my heart broken. But here we are.” He looked over at Clara, a shyness in his eyes that she found endearing. “Two bruised hearts finding solace on a road trip to an old man”s nursing home.”
Clara laughed, feeling the tension dissolve. “Sounds like the plot of an indie film.”
“Or an award-winning novella,” James grinned,
They fell into a comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Clara looked at James, really looked at him, taking in his features. His nose, not perfectly straight, added character to his rugged good looks.
“I”m glad you”re persistent,” she commented.
“What?”
“I was so ready to write you off, but you persisted. I have to ask, why?”
“Why?”
“Yes, why me? You”re handsome, successful, and the kind of guy that could probably have anyone he wanted.”
“And I want you.”
“I don”t want to put any pressure on you, but I don”t think I”m the casual type. I know you”ve been single a long time and you”re not interested in commitment and that”s okay. I just, well, I just need to go into this with clear eyes.”
James kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead. “I want to change that. I want to be more connected. I am interested in commitment. I”ve gotten to this point in my life and realized my fear has kept me from really living. I know it”s only been a few dates between us, but I feel a deep connection to you. I can”t explain it, but it”s like a tug on my heart, something I”ve never felt before.”
Clara looked at him, her heart in her throat. “James, that”s really beautiful. I feel the same way about you. I was scared too, after everything that happened. But being with you, I feel safe.”
“Safe,” James echoed, the corners of his mouth twitching into a slight smile. “I”ll take that as a compliment.”
Clara rolled her eyes playfully and nudged him gently, but suddenly things got very serious. “You”re not alone anymore. I”m here for you, James. No matter what happens, I hope we can be friends. You”re an interesting person.”
“Friends,” he said, glancing at her with a warm smile. “That sounds good. I’ve never had a woman friend before.”
Clara laughed, her gentle eyes crinkling at the corners. “Well, you’ll learn it’s not so bad. We don’t bite, you know.”
James chuckled lightly too and flicked on the turn signal for an approaching exit. “But if it”s okay with you, I would rather not be friend-zoned just yet.”
Clara grinned at him. “Oh? And why”s that?” she asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.
“I want more than just friendship with you. I want to be someone you can rely on, someone who makes you smile even when the day has been long, and the world is against you. I want to be there for you, Clara... Not just as your friend, but as something more.”
Clara”s heart fluttered at his words. A part of her wanted to guard herself from the potential hurt that could follow if things went south, but another part of her was drawn to his sincerity and warmth. It was a new feeling, one that she hadn”t felt since her marriage ended. She looked at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of insincerity, but found none.
“James, I”m enjoying getting to know you. I like thinking of you as a friend. I do want more, but I need to take it slow.”
A wide smile spread across James”s face as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. The electricity that passed between their touches was tangible. “I”m good with slow, but not too slow. I”m not getting any younger.”
She laughed. “Me either. I”m not talking slow, like years. Just slow as in getting to know you.”
“I”m good with that. Slow is good.”
“We’re almost there; should be about another hour to the nursing home,” he said, checking the GPS on his phone.
“Thanks for driving all this way,” she said softly. “I”m really liking this road trip.”
“Maybe we can do it again after we”re done solving our mystery.”
“I would like that,” she nodded.
Once again, they fell into silence.
“Should I know anything about your grandfather?” she asked. “Is he hard of hearing?”
“A little, but I”m telling you, for a man as old as he is, he”s got it together. His mind is there, but his body isn”t keeping up.”
“Does he know what you”ve been doing?” she asked. “As in searching for his sister?”
“No. I haven”t told him. I didn”t want to get his hopes up.”
“I really hope we can find something for him. I don”t even know the guy and I want to help him.”
“You want to read the ending of the love story,” he teased.
“That too.”