As we locked up the dance school and made a hasty dash towards Sam’s car, the rain was still pelting down. Once we were safely inside, he attempted to start the engine, but nothing happened. The car wouldn’t turn over. A flash of frustration fleeted across Sam’s face. One last time he tried again, before turning towards me: ‘This knight in shining armour has failed.’
‘It’s not your fault, the thought was very much appreciated.’
‘But now, we are going to have to make a run for it … in this.’
We both took a glance out of the window. The rain seemed to have worsened, drumming against the windscreen and bouncing off the pavements. A couple raced along the street, clutching tightly to an umbrella that was blowing inside out.
We sat there for a second, hedging our bets, waiting to see if the rain would give up even for a second, but judging by the blackened sky, it wasn’t going to stop any time soon.
‘Are you ready?’ Sam asked.
‘Ready as I’ll ever be,’ I answered, zipping up my coat and pulling my hood over my head.
Sam stepped out of the car and opened my door. He extended his arm and draped it around my shoulder.
‘Run!’ he ordered.
‘Yikes! I’m drenched already,’ I laughed, trying my best to miss the puddles.
We exchanged mischievous grins as we took off up the street, and my shoes were sodden in seconds.
Sam took my hand and pulled me along and we reached the gate of his cottage in no time at all.
Falling into the hallway, we were both soaked to the bone.
‘Look at the state of us!’ I couldn’t stop laughing.
‘Here, let me take this from you,’ he said, peeling the coat from my back and hanging it up on the coat peg in the hallway. He flashed me the most gorgeous smile, which made my heart skip a beat.
‘And take this,’ he handed me a grey hoodie, ‘put it on.’
‘Thank you,’ I said, slipping it over my head. The words caught in my throat as I snuggled inside his hoodie and breathed in the spicy aroma of his aftershave. It smelt divine and my heart thumped a little faster.
‘It suits you,’ his eyes glinted as he gave me the once over. My cheeks stretched into a gigantic smile.
There was no denying the spark, the chemistry, the raw attraction between us, and this kind of intensity was new to me. Of course, I’d had dates in the past, boyfriends too, but those feelings weren’t anything like what I was experiencing now.
Not only was the man standing in front of me incredibly gorgeous, but every time I was in his company my insides became a gibbering wreck.
‘Go and make yourself comfy, I’ll make us a warm drink.’ He raked his hand through his hair and swept his wet fringe from his eyes before gesturing towards the living room and disappearing down the hallway.
As soon as he was out of sight I risked a hesitant look in the hallway mirror. My hair was limp and the tip of my nose resembled Rudolf’s. This really wasn’t an attractive look. Rummaging quickly in my bag, I pulled a hairbrush through my hair, touched up my make-up and prayed I looked at least half decent.
Sam appeared a couple of minutes later and handed me a mug of steaming tea which I immediately clamped my hands around.
‘The weather in England, very unpredictable,’ he mused, sitting down next to me.
‘It’s not that different to New York. One minute it can be sunny and the next, knee deep in snow,’ I shared, remembering last February when one day I was walking around Central Park in a T-shirt, and the next week I was bundled up inside a parka. We sipped our drinks and finally I felt myself beginning to dry out.
‘Any plans for tonight?’ he asked.
Taking a quick glance towards my watch, I saw it was already fast approaching eight thirty. ‘Bath and bed, I’m exhausted.’
‘I’m not surprised. Your trip to England has been full on since you arrived.’
‘What are your plans?’
‘No plans … no plans whatsoever.’
‘Tonight was a good night. I really enjoyed myself, Sam.’
‘That’s good to hear.’
‘Spending time with the WI and organising their dances and being a part of something made me feel kind of useful again, gave me back some confidence.’
‘If you teach as well as you dance, this business will be a success from the off. So, the dance school, is it all systems go?’ he enquired, sipping his drink.
‘It is, and I can’t wait to get started once Village Day is over.’
‘And there’s the added bonus for me.’
‘For you?’
‘I quite like the thought of Miss America sticking around,’ he said, placing his mug on the table.
‘You do now, do you?’
Sam reached out and took my hands. His quiet confident declaration was the sign I needed that he felt that spark too, and I shuffled a little closer to him. There was something about Sam Reid that made me want to spend more time with him.
‘Honestly, I noticed you that first morning. There was something about that slight American twang, those two cute dimples and the way you were standing there, drenched on the pavement in your PJs. I mean, you have to be mad to wander up to the local shop in your PJs,’ he grinned. ‘In fact, bonkers.’
‘Lounge wear, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!’
‘PJs,’ he insisted, his tone mischievous.
But before I could argue he kissed me.
Beep.
‘What’s that?’ he whispered.
‘My phone, damn that timing,’ I smiled, slowly sitting up.
‘Leave it.’ Sam’s face was flushed, his hair tousled and his eyes wanting more. I kissed him lightly on the lips before reaching inside my bag.
‘I can’t, it may be important, especially with my grandfather being in hospital and everything.’
‘Sorry, that was selfish of me,’ he said, sitting up slowly.
‘Not to worry, it’s only Grace.’ I swiped the screen, ‘She probably wonders where I’ve disappeared to again.’
My eyes widened as I read the text.
‘What is it? Is it Ted?’ asked Sam with concern, noticing my sudden change in mood.
‘No, it’s my mum. Apparently, she’s been in touch with Connie to tell her she’s arriving from New York at the end of the week.’ I stared at Sam.
Suddenly I was feeling very nervous, and apprehension ran through my entire body. This was really happening. On Friday, my mum would arrive from New York and in the not-so-distant future she would come face to face with her father once more, and the pair of them would discover I’d lied to entice her here. I knew this was what I wanted but now that it was really happening, I had no idea how to handle it.
I gulped.
‘Surely that’s a good thing?’ asked Sam with curiosity.
‘It is, and it isn’t. I’ve kind of been a little deceitful in getting her here,’ I admitted, biting down on my lip.
Sam raised his eyebrows.
‘But one thing I’m absolutely sure of, time is going to tell very, very soon.’
Even though I knew my lie gave Mum the excuse she needed to travel over 3,000 miles, I was a strong believer in fate. All this – the first message from Grace, the trip to England, the dance school … Sam – it had all happened for a reason and I was determined to do my damn hardest to uncover what the hell had happened thirteen years ago.