He leaned in to kiss her, and the spark of fire surprised them both. “How is it possible that even in the midst of a crisis and even at eighty miles an hour, I still want you?” He kissed her again. “I hope you’re prepared for what’ll happen in Chatham when I show up with you.”

“And what’s that?”

“They’ll be all over you.”

“I can take it,” Clare assured him.

He chuckled. “We’ll see what you’re saying in a day or two when you hear my mother and sister planning our wedding.”

“Wedding?” Clare stammered.

“You have no idea what you’re in for.”

“Maybe I can stay in the truck the whole time. They won’t see me.”

“They’d sniff you out. You do know that you’ll be, officially, the second woman they’ve ever seen me with, right?”

“Yes, I’m getting that picture.” But it didn’t bother her nearly as much as it probably should have.

They arrived at the hospital at five in the morning. Clare had watched him get more and more anxious the closer they got to Chatham.

Aidan grabbed Clare’s hand, and they ran inside. She was proud that she was able to keep up with him, which she took as a sign that she’d made more progress in her recovery from the coma. The tightness in her chest and the occasional coughing fit reminded her of the more recent bout with pneumonia.

They were directed to the third floor where a large group had congregated in the waiting room. From Aidan’s vivid descriptions of her, Clare recognized Colleen O’Malley right away.

“Mum, where is he?” Aidan asked. “I want to see him.”

Colleen stood to hug her oldest son. “I’m glad you’re here in one piece, love.” She bent around him to get a better look at Clare. “Who’ve you got there?”

“This is Clare Harrington. Colin, introduce Clare while Mum takes me to see Da, would you?”

Watching Aidan walk away with Colleen, Clare felt all eyes in the waiting room land on her. “Hello, everyone,” she said.

Thankfully, Colin stepped up and did as his brother asked. Clare met Aidan’s brothers Brandon and Declan, his sister Erin, and brother-in-law Tommy. Brandon might’ve looked like Aidan at one time, but his bloodshot eyes and weathered face put ten extra years on him. The other three siblings closely resembled each other.

“Pleased to meet you all.” Clare took the seat next to Tommy.

“Are you Aidan’s girlfriend?” Erin asked.

Colin shot his sister a dirty look. “Erin.”

“Yes, I guess you could say I am.” Clare maintained eye contact with Erin, who seemed shocked that Aidan had brought someone with him.

“Well, how about that?” Brandon said with a nasty edge to his voice. “The old boy isn’t dead after all.”

“Shut up, Brandon,” Declan snapped.