Page 68 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
‘Then I want to help you forget all the bad stuff.’
She took a step closer to him. ‘And how do you intend to make that happen?’
His lips tweaked into a grin. ‘By distracting you.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘And how do you propose to do that exactly?’
‘Not sure. More dancing? More sparkling conversation?’
She laughed. ‘That sounds just the ticket,’ she said, leading him back inside where, Jen discovered, Sam insisted on keeping his word.
The evening passed with more dancing, conversation and laughter than she’d had in years. They met the father of Liam’s new friend, George and, by the end of the evening Jen felt she’e either met or re-connected with half the population of MacLeod’s Cove. She’d also made plans to catch up with old friends over the coming months.
But as Jen, Sam and Liam stepped outside into the street, a shadow clouded her happiness. She was back in the real world. The temperature had lowered, and she shivered as she looked around her.
‘Everything alright?’ asked Sam.
‘Yes, why wouldn’t it be?’
He raised his eyebrows in reply and glanced at Liam, who was bending down, fondling a puppy on a leash as its owner waited outside the hall for his grandson.
She shook her head. ‘It’s fine. I’m sure it’s all fine. But…’
He glanced again to make sure Liam was out of earshot. ‘Still worried?’
She bit her lip. ‘A little. But it’s silly and’ — she reached out and squeezed Sam’s hand — ‘it’s been a lovely evening. I guess I’ve always hated good things ending.’
He laughed. ‘I remember. We’d always be the last to leave a party, the last to stay around a bonfire on the beach.’
‘But not always the last to go to bed.’ His hand felt warm around hers as her words lingered in the air between them. She took a deep breath, needing to control her wayward thoughts. ‘Anyway,’ she said with a smile, withdrawing her hand, ‘Liam and I should get home.’ She paused. ‘I really enjoyed the evening, thanks.’
‘My pleasure. Hopefully, we can do it again sometime. And by the way, I will stay the night with you.’ He raised a suggestive eyebrow. ‘On the couch. Just to make sure Liam is OK.’
‘There’s no need for that. Mum and Lucy should be home by now. Lucy said she’d stay the night.’
‘Hm,’ grunted Sam, not looking convinced. ‘I’ll give you both a lift home and we’ll see if they’re there yet.’
Jen wondered how long her loved ones would have to go on worrying about her. Suddenly, the screech of an alarm filled the air, making her jump.
‘A car alarm,’ he said.
She shook her head with a smile. ‘I’m a bit on edge.’
‘So, a lift?’
She glanced down to see that the puppy and its owner had disappeared, and Liam was sitting on the steps yawning madly. A look at her watch told her it was later than she thought. ‘Thanks. That would be great.’
They drove home in comfortable silence. When they arrived, Jen looked in the back seat. She had a sense of déjà vu. It had only been a few weeks since they’d first arrived like this, with Liam asleep in the back. But so much else had changed.
‘You go on ahead and unlock the house. I’ll carry Liam in,’ said Sam.
Jen grappled with the new set of keys and eventually unlocked the door and held it open for Sam.
’Shall I take Liam up to bed? He’s out for the count.’
‘That would be great.’
‘Do you want me to stay?’ he asked. ‘Doesn’t look like your mum and Lucy are home.’
