Sam opened his front door, raked his fingers through his unruly hair and gasped.
‘Alice … you look …’
‘Dreadful,’ I interrupted, knowing my eyes were swollen from crying and my face was blotchy. ‘Here, open this,’ I thrust a bottle of red wine into Sam’s hand.
‘I know it’s still early but it’s been a hell of a morning. I know … and when I say I know, I mean I know everything. Mum’s back from New York and everything is out in the open.’
‘Come on in,’ Sam said without hesitation, opening the door wide.
I’d left Mum up at the farmhouse with Grandie. They needed some time together to talk things through, and I needed to see Sam. He’d been treated unfairly in all this and after speaking some more with Mum and Grandie, I’d told them about my friendship with Sam and how some of the villagers had been treating him. It wasn’t only our own family that had been affected by the secrets.
‘What’s happened?’ he asked, taking my coat from me and hanging it up on the hook.
‘There’s more to this story than meets the eye. Go and pour us both a glass of wine, I think we are going to need it.’ Sam looked intrigued and without saying a word took the bottle into the kitchen.
A few moments later, we both settled on the sofa. ‘So,’ he said, entwining his fingers around mine and looking deep into my eyes, ‘what’s happened?’
‘The stolen car that killed my grandma – Oscar wasn’t driving it.’
Instantly, Sam’s jaw dropped. ‘You must have got that wrong.’
I shook my head.
‘I don’t understand, Oscar went to prison, he confessed. If he wasn’t driving the car, then who was?’
I blew out a breath, ‘My mum.’
Sam gasped, his eyes widened. ‘I wasn’t expecting that.’
‘Me neither. Drink your wine, let me tell you the whole story.’
For the next ten minutes, I told Sam everything. He listened in silence and when I’d finished he let out a low whistle.
‘The heartbreak and secrets that have been kept hidden for years …’ he said. ‘How are you feeling about it all?’
‘Battered, bruised, exhausted but relieved it’s finally out in the open. Even though Grandie and Mum have a long way to go, bridges to build et cetera … I’m sure they’ll get there.’
He nodded, ‘In time.’
‘I’m so sorry you’ve been hurt by this.’
‘Me?’ Sam sipped his wine.
‘The way some of the villagers have treated you because of my family’s lies and secrets.’
‘Come here,’ he pulled me in close, ‘I’m just glad you’ve finally got the answers you need.’
‘I always thought they’d fallen out over money or because my father was a crook or something. But, out of all this I’ve discovered my dad was actually a pretty good man and goes by the name of William Hall.’
‘Is she still in touch with him?’
‘Bizarrely, she’d discovered him on Facebook only a matter of weeks ago and had been deliberating what to do about it. So, before I came round here, I sat with Mum and Grandie and we decided the best way forward was to have no more secrets, get everything out in the open, and we composed a message to him. Mum has finally been able to tell him he has another daughter.’
‘And?’
‘And as yet, there’s been no reply. I’m hoping that’s down to the time difference. We’ll just have to wait and see.’
‘How are you feeling about that?’
‘If I’m truly honest, I’ve no idea what to expect. I suppose a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I’ll take each day as it comes. It’s all I can do.’
He gave me a sheepish grin, ‘So does this change how you feel about staying in England now?’
‘We talked about it and the dance school …’
‘C’mon, the suspense is killing me.’
‘I’m definitely staying in England,’ I answered, my heart swelling with happiness as I noticed the beam hurtle across Sam’s face.
Sam squeezed my hand, ‘I’ve kind of been hiding a little secret of my own,’ he confessed.
My eyes were now firmly fixed on him.
‘Which is?’ Every nerve in my body tingled.
He looked at me with the most kissable smile. ‘Recently, there’s been this woman, with a funny American accent who likes dressing in her PJs to buy bottles of milk …’
‘Loungewear,’ I corrected with a goofy grin.
‘I believe you, thousands wouldn’t … as I was saying … she came into my life when I was least expecting it. She’s warm, and definitely funny in her loungewear … and I’m glad she’s decided to stay in England, in Brook Bridge …’
‘Any particular reason why?’ I teased.
He stretched his arms out towards me and I snuggled into his embrace.
‘You’re beautiful, Alice Parker. I think it’s safe to say you’ve danced your way into my life, straight to my heart.’
I gave him a playful swipe, ‘No cheesy chat-up lines, please.’
‘I was being serious,’ he said, cocking an eyebrow and laughing heartily before dipping his head and brushing his lips against mine.
Sam slowly stood up and, holding my hand, he led me slowly up the stairs and into his bedroom. I couldn’t wait a moment longer to be wrapped up in his arms. It felt so right being with him. The moment he lay me on the bed we began kissing, slowly and softly at first but then with urgency. His kisses left me wanting more. Pressing my body against his, I ran my hands over his smooth warm skin and basked in the pleasure of his touch as he gently removed my blouse. I could feel his hardness against my thigh as I wriggled out of my jeans, my lips never leaving his.
‘You are beautiful,’ he whispered, kissing my neck and making me gasp.
‘Sam Reid, you are perfect, now stop talking.’
‘You don’t have to tell me twice.’
Two hours later, I stirred, taking a moment to realise where I was. The bright-red lights from the clock said it was just past 4 p.m. Sam’s strong arms were tightly wrapped around my body and I smiled to myself. An overwhelming feeling of happiness gushed through my body as I nestled in deeper while kissing him lightly on his chest.
‘Mmm, are you awake?’
‘Maybe,’ I whispered, stroking his chiselled chin gently.
‘You’ve worn me out,’ he hitched a smile, lacing his hands through my hair then tilting my lips towards his.
As the kiss ended, he cradled my face in his hands. ‘I’m falling for you, Alice Parker.’
‘That’s good to know,’ I kissed him softly back.
I was the happiest girl alive.