Page 135 of Clara Knows Best

She tried to shake off the brain fog brought on by being held in his arms. “I’m sorry,what are you doing here?”

He opened his mouth to answer, shook his head, and took her hand without a word to lead her outside. As they wove through the crowd, Skip and Helio and a few others gave him welcome-back claps on the shoulder.

They emerged from the noisy, crowded bar, and Clara breathed deeply of the warm night air and was grateful that her legs continued to support her without the help of her misfiring brain.

He drew her around the corner of the building for some privacy, and then turned to face her.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” she replied.

“Too loud in there.”

“I know.”

Then, by mutual, unspoken decision, they moved toward each other. Jesse tilted his hat up away from his face before slippinghis fingers through the belt loops of her denim shorts. Shivering happily, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

It didn’t matter why he had come back. It just mattered that he was there.

His kiss was long and unexpectedly gentle; he held her as though she was something precious. When he lifted his head and looked down at her, she had to blink away tears.

“Are you happy to see me?” he asked, with surprising humility.

“Happy to see you? I love you!” It was a relief to say it out loud.

“Oh, thank God,” he said, and he sounded relieved, too. He dragged her back into his arms and hugged her tightly.

“Were you actually worried about it? I’ve been so obvious,” she laughed, resting her cheek against his shoulder.

“Of course I was worried about it. I never know what the heck you’re thinking.”

She looked up, amused. “Well, I’ve been thinkingI love you!since Valentine’s Day.”

His arms were crushing her, but she didn’t think he realized it. “Was it the kiss? The fight? Or was it the way I drooled when they numbed my mouth?”

“It was the little girl in the medical tent.”

He frowned, apparently drawing a blank.

“You were so sweet with her and her family. They were hanging on your every word. I know you get this all the time, but you really are a good doctor. I think it’s because you’re a good human.”

“Huh,” he said.

“Remember how you kept asking me if I was okay?” she teased. “I wasn’t okay! I was falling in love with you.”

He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I wasn’t ready to hear it back then.”

“I know you weren’t,” she said, reveling in the simple caress.

“I’ve been in some pretty serious denial.”

“I know,” she agreed, laughing.

He took her face in his hands and gave her a soft kiss. “I love you, Clara. Don’t ever doubt it. You’re my life.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

He wiped a tear from her cheekbone. “I might not be good at saying it as often as I should.”

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