She shook her head. “You lost me. How do lights and guardrails on the roads lead to pollution?”
“Although we’re just a hop, skip, and a jump from metropolises like New York and New Jersey,” he began, “we still lead a pretty rural community life. So, having lights on all the time would draw more people out. Visitors and residents alike would spend more time traveling through the town instead of retiring at night so wecan all get some rest and start the day bright and early. As for the guardrails. People tend to drive slower when they realize the only thing standing between them and a steep drop off the side of mountain is decreased speed and careful driving.”
She had to admit there was something calming about the almost silent night around them. All the noises of a city were absent. There was no music blasting from cars, no one honking impatiently behind you. There was no traffic, and the only sounds to fill the car were their voices and the crunch of tires against the dirt on the steeply inclined road they were climbing.
They pulled into what appeared to be a gated community. Where Vanessa’s was cold with wrought-iron gates to keep people out, here, there was a brick security station and a simple boom gate to act as a vehicular barrier instead.
He pulled a pass card from his console, waving it briefly in front of a sensor. A green light flashed from the sensor and the arm of the boom lifted, allowing them entrance.
She could hardly see anything because of the thick night that engulfed them, but there was definitely a sense of bliss in the oblivion they seemed to ride into.
A few more windy dark roads, and he was swinging the SUV into the driveway of a large two-story colonial. He maneuvered the car into his garage and used the remote on his visor to close it before they exited the car.
He stepped out of the SUV, making quick steps to her side to open the door for her. When she stepped out, he closed the door, then grabbed her bag from the trunk.
They walked a few feet before he opened the door into what appeared to be a mudroom.
The room was a decent size, with a sink and a washer and dryer against the far wall, a folding station against one side wall, and hanging bars and an ironing station directly across from it. It was neat, with all surfaces empty, as if it were sitting ready for him to use it.
He led her through a door on the side of the room that opened onto a large kitchen with lots of windows. She imagined this room lit with sunrays in the morning despite the view of the endless darkness waiting outside.
“The fridge is fully stocked,” he said abruptly. “And the flat and drink ware are in these two cabinets here.” He pointed to the right. “If you want something to eat, feel free to make yourself at home.”
He turned, still carrying her bag as he moved to a swing door that led to his living room. Bathed in warm burgundies, oranges, and browns, the room made you feel instantly comfortable. Where the marble and brass in her living room seemed cold in comparison, the wood in his made her want to settle in for a comfortable night.
That is not what you’re here for. Don’t get distracted by his interior decorating.
“The remotes for the TV are in the end-table drawer. The fireplace is fueled by propane. If you flip the switch next to it, it comes on.”
She tilted her head as she observed him. “You make it sound like I’m going to be here long enough to settle in.”
“With weather this unpredictable”—he shrugged—“there’s no telling how long it will be before it’s safe to travel. If it keeps raining like it is, we’re gonna get flooding and getting out of Monroe Hills will be next to impossible. You might be here for a couple of days at least.”
The dull throb in her head from earlier was returning with a vengeance. She’d never been officially diagnosed with migraines, but whenever stress got the better of her, a lingering headache would put her on her ass in a minute. She didn’t have time for that right now.
Resolved to get control of the aggravation tightening the muscles at the back of her neck, she took a slow breath in and out.
“You all right?”
“Yeah,” she answered. “I’m just a little frustrated. None of this was in my plans. Not having to involve myself with my ex-husband’sfoolishness again, and not this freak storm that seems determined to keep me trapped here.”
He moved closer to her, placing a gentle hand on her bicep as he peered down at her with eyes almost as dark as kohl. “I’m really sorry about disrupting your life like this. Don’t think for a moment I don’t recognize the sacrifice you’re making to help my sister. Whatever you need to make this more bearable, just let me know and I’ll make it happen.”
His touch was friendly and comforting. Something she was certain he would do for anyone who seemed to be in distress. Knowing that, even as he touched her, heat bled through the layers of her clothing, through her skin, spreading so quickly, she was caught off guard by its power.
She cleared her throat, trying to get her body to obey her instead of disintegrating into ash in front of this man she hardly knew.
“I appreciate you saying that, Michael. It’s difficult. Only, I made you a promise, and unlike Karl, I keep my promises. So, I’ll deal.”
He nodded and turned toward the stairs by the front door and led her upstairs to the second level. It was a long hallway with one door on the right, two on the left, and one directly in the center at the end of the hall.
He headed toward the first door on the left and opened it, flipping the light switch on before ushering her in. Once she’d crossed the threshold, he placed her bag in front of the wooden chest of drawers. A quick glance around the room and she found a queen-size bed covered in white bed linens with red and gold accents. As her gaze swept the room, she saw the repeated pattern of colors throughout the room.
“The door on the right is the bathroom. There’s a linen closet inside filled with clean towels, sheets, and toiletries. The other door is the closet. It’s not as grand as what I’m sure you’re used to. I think there should be enough room for the one bag you brought, though.”
Awkward silence followed, and they both stood there, staring ateach other, trying to figure out what was next. Thankfully, Michael ended her torture by speaking. “Did you have a chance to eat dinner before you got on the road?”
“Unless we’re counting Hannah’s cookies, nope.”
