Page 54 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

“The man who saved me… he took me in.”

Clare’s eyes went wide. “Are you sure that’s safe? I mean, who is he? What do you know about him?

Jane thought it sweet that her only concern was for her safety.

“Enough to know that he won’t hurt me. He’s a… successful businessman. And I’m not staying in his house exactly: he’s given me the pool house so I have plenty of privacy.”

Clare’s eyebrows rose several notches, her concern turning mischievous.

“The pool house? Just how successful is he? Wait, is he the one paying for all these clothes? Is he married? Engaged?”

Before Jane could even answer, Clare fired off another question.

“If you tell me he’s gorgeous, I will literally die right here. Please tell me he’s as ugly as sin.”

“He is not unpleasant to look at.”

Clare faked wiping sweat from her brow. “So he’s hot, he’s rich, and he saved you? That’s quite the fairytale ending you’ve found yourself in.”

“We’re not… there’s nothing between us. He just has extra space and felt sorry for me. There’s nothing more to it than that.”

A snort burst out from Clare. “Of course there isn’t. People take complete strangers into their homes all the time. I mean, I can’t count the amount of offers I’ve had to field off. It gets exhausting.”

There was a twinkle in her eye.

“I’m just saying, this will make a wonderful story to tell your grandkids, that’s all,” she finally finished with a grin.

Jane wanted to laugh — the woman was incorrigible — but something stopped her. Though her comments were meant as a bit of fun, she couldn’t ignore the thought that had crept into her mind.

What if she was already someone’s partner?

She could be married or engaged. In which case, it would be wrong to be attracted to Logan. Not wanting to put a dampener on Clare’s mood, she kept her thoughts to herself.

“I don’t think that’s going to happen. As kind as he has been, he makes me nervous.”

Clare grew suddenly serious. “In what way?”

Jane shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s very intense, I guess. And I don’t really know what he’s really thinking about anything. I can’t make him out. He confuses me.”

“Better that than he bores you! I’d take confusion over boredom any day. Then again, it’s been so long for me, I’d probably take any man at this point.”

Jane looked at Clare, at her vivaciousness and beauty and the funny, warm personality she had displayed.

“I find it hard to believe that men don’t throw themselves at you.”

Clare laughed. “You’re too kind, but after you’ve been burned like I have… Well, that’s a conversation for another time. Let’s just focus on you today.”

The two sorted through their favorite outfits and enough underwear to keep Jane covered for at least two weeks, and they were finally done.

Clare helped carry the items to the cashier where Jane paid in cash. Her eye twitched from nervousness when the balance flashed up. The price was a lot higher than the five bags that sat on the counter looked like they should have cost.

“Let me help you to your car,” Clare offered, cutting into her thoughts.

The two loaded the bags into the Cullinan as Clare gave the car the side-eye.

“Your businessman must be very successful to own this car. I’ve only ever seen a few of these passing through the city.”

Jane thought it best not to comment.

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