Clara in America (Clara Andrews Series - Book 7) by Lacey London Page A

an eternity, I collapse into a heap on the bench and let out a groan. This is not how I pictured this holiday going. Tipping back my head to allow the sunshine to beam down onto my face, I let out a laugh as a heavy rain drop lands on my cheek.
    Well, isn’t that just perfect. Within seconds the rain turns heavy and tourists run for cover inside the many shops and restaurants, but I stay firmly put. Unlike the last time I experienced a Florida downpour, I don’t want to escape the rain. I want to sit right here and allow the water to wash over me. The sound of hysterical screaming is drowned out by the patter of rain thrashing against the ground. Enjoying the sensation of cooling droplets on my skin, I am completely lost in the moment when a familiar voice grabs my attention.
    ‘Clara?’ Trying not to laugh, Oliver waves his arms around from beneath a shop canopy. ‘What are you doing?’
    ‘Nothing.’ I reply, shaking the water out of my hair. ‘I just… felt like getting wet.’
    Nodding in response, he squints at me for a moment before stepping out into the rain. ‘Mind if I join you?’
    Smiling up at him, I slide over to make room for him to sit down. People start to stop and stare at the crazy pair taking an impromptu shower in the middle of the theme park. Really not caring, I stretch out my legs and watch Oliver’s clothes quickly become as saturated as my own.
    ‘How do you feel?’ I eventually ask, once the rain has had the decency to calm down an iota.
    ‘Wet.’ He replies, looking down at the stream of water running off his basketball shorts. ‘Very, very wet.’
    Not knowing what else to do, I let out a small giggle that quickly develops into a belly laugh and once I start, I just can’t stop. What are we doing? A passer-by stops to snap a photo of us and I bury my head in Oliver’s soaked t-shirt. Once confident that the spontaneous photographer has moved on, I take off my sandals and squeeze the excess water out of them.
    ‘I just, don’t know what I’m going to do with her.’ Oliver says, shaking his baseball cap and putting it back on. ‘Deep down, I knew this day would come. She always pushes the boundaries, always.’ I nod in response and say nothing, choosing to let him keep talking. ‘We can put this right though. Dad will forgive her and we can put all this behind us and move on. Just like last time.’
    ‘Last time?’ I gasp, not sure that I have heard him correctly. ‘You mean… Janie has done this before?’
    ‘It was a long, long time ago. Years, actually. I was just a boy, but I still remember everything that happened.’ My stomach flips as he fiddles with his watch, avoiding all eye contact. ‘It was with some guy from work. Apparently he showered her with gifts, promised her a life my dad could only ever dream of giving her.’
    ‘What happened?’ I ask, choosing my words carefully so that he doesn’t clam up.
    ‘She came back, eventually. Dad forgave her and things gradually went back to normal.’ He stares down at his own wedding band and sighs. ‘To be honest, I don’t really think they’re aware of just how much I remember.’ Turning away to look down the street, he closes his eyes as he recalls the memory. ‘Things were pretty rough for a while.’
    Reaching out for his hand, I take it in mine and rub his fingers with my thumb. I’m trying not to show it, but this revelation has really shocked me. I am aware that Janie is well known for her wild antics, but I really wouldn’t have had her down as a serial cheat. Poor Randy. Imagine going through the agony of having your spouse betray you like that, just to have it happen all over again many years down the line. I am so lost in my sorrow for Randy that I don’t even notice the rain gradually coming to a stop. Looking up into the sky, I shield my eyes as the sun peeks out from behind the blanket of cloud. People start to creep out from the shelter and within seconds the park is alive and buzzing with