No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 284

Clara froze mid-step as she caught sight of the man's striking features. "Mr. Brodie? What are you doing here?" she asked in surprise.

Why did Brodie's profile remind her so much of lan's? Not only that, their builds and movements were uncannily similar. She'd mistaken two completely unrelated men for one another. If lan found out, he'd surely be as sour as an overturned jar of pickles.

Brodie offered a gentle curve of his lips. "I've acquired that land. I'm planning to build an eco-friendly farmstead and thought I'd scout the place out."

Clara followed the direction of Brodie's gesture and saw a verdant lake stretching before them.

Nodding in approval, she said, "The lake is surrounded by hills. The environment is really serene, and the water is pristine. You could develop some water attractions. I bet it would be a hit."

Brodie chuckled. "You seem to know quite a bit about development."

"I worked on an eco-estate project with lan once. It's similar to what you have here."

At the mention of lan, a shadow crossed Brodie's eyes, and his voice deepened a notch. "Have you two made up?"

Clara smiled and lifted her hand to show off her ring. "He proposed to me. We were going to get our marriage certificate the day before yesterday, but Grandpa Reed took a nasty spill, and we couldn't make it." Brodie saw the twinkle in her eyes, like when she was a child and had spotted something she adored. A touch of bitterness flickered across his face, but he managed a small smile. "Clara, if lan's mother had hurt someone you love, would you still stay with him?"

Clara's gaze faltered. "Does my father's kidnapping have something to do with Leonora?"

Brodie pursed his lips, his gaze filled with a pained empathy. "It might be connected, but we don't have enough evidence yet."

Biting her lip in contemplation, Clara's eyes shimmered with restrained emotion. "It's related, but thankfully, my father's unharmed. I won't hold it against lan. He's his own man. His mother is a different story." The look in Brodie's eyes intensified further. He wanted to ask her if she would still feel indifferent, knowing it was her mother who was harmed. But seeing Clara's unwavering trust in lan, he swallowed his words.

An unusual tension hung between them, which was abruptly shattered when a dark figure leaped out from behind them, lunging at Clara. With quick reflexes, Brodie yanked Clara out of harm's way and landed a kick in the belly of the shadowy figure. Only then did Clara see it was the aggressive stray dog that often roamed the village. After being kicked, the dog charged at Brodie.

Brodie grabbed a stick from the ground and defended them both, keeping Clara safely behind him. After a tense few minutes, the dog finally retreated.

Clara, nearly in tears and shaking, asked, "Brodie, are you hurt?"

Brodie almost lost his composure, wanting to embrace her and comfort her as he had when they were younger. "Don't be scared. I've got you," he would have said. But his hand, raised to touch her head, stopped midway and fell back to his side.

He sighed, his eyes closing for a moment. Things between him and his little girl could never return to how they once were. He forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just got my clothes dirty, that's all."

Clara finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Reed's home is just up ahead. Let me take you there to clean up."

Brodie hesitated, but Clara insisted. "It's no bother. My dad's there, too, and we haven't had dinner yet. You just saved me, so the least I can do is treat you to a meal."

As lan stepped into the yard, he saw a man sitting at the table conversing with Casey over drinks. Despite the dim lighting, he instantly recognized the man as Brodie. His fists clenched at his sides.

Was Brodie here to reconcile with Clara?

At the thought, lan felt a rush of blood to his head, and an unprecedented anxiety overtook him. He hurried towards the room.

Clara, about to stoke the fire, was startled by a shadowy figure. When she recognized the face, her voice filled with excitement. "Ian."

lan's lips curled into a weary smile as he opened his arms to her. "Baby, come here and give me a hug."

Dropping the piece of wood she was holding, Clara rushed into his embrace. Her cheeks, slightly flushed, rubbed against his chest as she looked up at him.

"Why are you here so late?" she asked.

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