Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara sat on the edge of the bed while he sat on the floor, close enough for comfort-like a big, lost puppy needing a little warmth.

Her hand paused for a moment, fingers threading gently through his damp hair. With her other hand, she raised the blow dryer a bit higher.

She didn't push him away. Tonight, Dylan really did seem like a stray, drenched by the rain and desperate for somewhere to belong.

After seven minutes, his hair was finally dry.

She thought he'd let go, but he didn't.

Clara unplugged the blow dryer and wound up the cord, not sure what to say next.

Should she nudge him away? He clearly needed comfort right now.

But if she didn't, they couldn't just stay like this forever.

She glanced at the wall clock-almost ten.

"Dylan, you should get some sleep."

He mumbled, "Mm," but still didn't move.

Clara ruffled his hair. "Come on, get some rest. We'll figure everything out together tomorrow."

He pressed his head gently against her waist, nuzzling her like he didn't want to let go. "Okay."

closeness made her uneasy, so she stood up a little too quickly.

of smoke clung to her clothes, and she was honestly surprised she'd managed to hold onto him for so

the bed, quiet and still, fast asleep. Clara walked

nightstand, a silent reminder that he wasn't really okay,

"I'll help you through this. You're not

an answer, she climbed into the small guest bed at the

course, she couldn't

this mess really was the old man's doing, then maybe he'd try something else. She waited for

it hit her-the old man had no plans to admit to

Clara, as the Ferguson family's bad luck charm-the one blamed for the sudden death of the deeply

about the old lady, maybe he'd start having second thoughts about their marriage

to admit a thing. Gossip alone would be enough to get Dylan to rethink

got labeled as

capable you were-you'd be pushed out. Just like that kid years ago, the one everyone said was born

it through, Clara started

every dirty trick

mood was icy as she sat down for breakfast, glancing at Dylan,

he'd woken up,

some food on his plate. "You're staying here

"Yeah?"

as you come