Even if she didnât mean it, what harm would come of telling Jack sheâd consider it?
âOkay. Iâll think about it.â
âDid I mention how sexy I find your eyes?â Jack interrupted her reverie.
Claire laughed and slugged his arm. They continued on with their fun-loving banter until Claire realized she was having a hard time keeping those sexy eyes open.
âHey, how are you doing?â she asked Jack. âDo you need me to help keep you awake or can I fall asleep for a bit?â
âWerenât you the one who said weâd be able to stay up all night driving?â Jack asked teasingly.
âIt did sound better in theory, I must admitâ¦â Claireâs voice trailed off as her eyes closed and she fought to reopen them.
âItâs fine, babe. Iâm fine. Iâve had a lot of caffeine,â Jack said reassuringly. âGo to sleep and if I find Iâm getting too tired to drive, Iâll pull over, okay?â
Claire nodded. At least, she thought she nodded. She was too tired to be sure, though. Already, her thoughts were beginning to make little sense, a sure sign she was quickly falling asleep. Within minutes, she was softly snoring.
Ever since Claireâs parents had died, she had, on occasion, dreamt about them. It wasnât often. And, not nearly as frequently as Claire wouldâve liked. The dreams always seemed so real, as if her parents were truly there with her again. In most of them, she usually found herself in her childhood home, with her mom cooking dinner in the kitchen. Claire would sit at the table, her dad coming in to sit across from her. Both her parents would ask about Jack and her children.She was always surprised they knew she was married and had kids. But, sheâd happily tell them all about Lukeâs latest science fair project and how adorable the girls had looked in their dance costumes at their recital.
This time, she was sleeping in her old bedroomâthe one that had the pink-flowered wallpaper and the big canopy bed. It had been the perfect room for a little girl to grow up in and when sheâd had the twins, sheâd made sure to create one that was just as inviting and frilly for the two of them.
It felt so good to be back in her old bed, and she wanted to sleep there for days.
âWake up, baby.â Someone shook her gently.
âUhâ¦.â Claire moaned. âGo away. Iâm tired.â
âWake up, Claire.â The voice was more urgent now, and Claire opened one eye.
Standing next to her was her dad. She closed the eye again.
âIâm tired, Daddy. Iâm not ready to wake up.â
âBaby, Iâm not kidding. You need to wake up.â Her dad was full-out shaking her now. âJack needs you to wake up.â
Jack? Did he say Jack? What was her dad talking about? She was in her bed at home. Jack wasnât there.
âClaire Elizaebeth Matthews. You need to wake up this very moment.â Her dad was using his angry tone with her. She rarely ever heard that one. âYour husband needs you.â
This time, Claireâs eyes flew open. She was no longer in her childhood bedroom, surrounded by stuffed bunnies and panda bears. She was in the car with Jack and the kids. Jack was driving. He appeared to be wide awake. The kids were asleep in the back. What had her dad been talking about?
Rubbing her eyes, and realizing it had all been a dream, she began to close them again when she heard Jackâs voice.
âWhat theâ¦?â
Claireâs eyes flew open again. In the distance, a bright light was in front of them.
A flashlight? No. Too bright. A motorcycle? Why did it seem like it was coming toward them?
And just as Jack gripped the steering wheel and began to swerve to the right, Claire realized what it was. A car. With one headlight. On the wrong side of the road.
Instinctively, as Jack jerked the wheel, Claire turned her head away and reached