Damn.
The storm lashed at the windows and a few smaller branches tumbled from trees, skittering across the path in front of him, and once even across the roof of the Jeep.
Can’t go forward, can’t go backward, he thought—and was reminded of an old campfire story-song from his Scouting days. “Can’t go over it, can’t go under it…gotta goriiiiightthrough it.”
Right through the storm.
He muttered the words to himself as he considered his options. The lighthouse and cottage were only another half-mile or so down this miserable lane, now that he’d crossed over the bridge from the mainland. Of course, having been a Scout, and still the Be Prepared type, he had not only an umbrella but a rain slicker in his Jeep.
Just hope I don’t get nailed by another streak of lightning,he thought grimly as he dug around for the raincoat from the front seat.At least I’m wearing rubber-soled shoes. Maybe I should leave the umbrella here—not liking the idea of carrying a long metal implement as I run through a storm.
With that running mental commentary, he at last located the dark blue slicker and struggled into it while seated in the driver’s seat.
The only reason he was truly considering making a break for the cottage was because if Teddy was there, he didn’t want her left alone in this ugly storm.
Well, and he wanted to see her.
Badly.
Badly enough to risk dashing through a storm.
Fourteen
Teddy toldherself it wasn’t really all that bad, with the power out, here on this remote little island, miles from anyone.
Her laptop was charged, and so was her Wi-Fi hub, so at least she could still watch Tim Riggins and his tight end in the Dillon Panthers football uniform.
Plus, she had a few books tucked away that she was supposed to read—one of which she was really looking forward to, because it was the latest Marina Alexander adventure. She’d saved it as a reward for finishing her book, and now she could dive in without feeling guilty.
Teddy had the flashlight, and she was certain she’d seen some candles in the drawer in the kitchen when she’d been looking for scissors a few days ago. That would help brighten things up a little.
But the wind whipped at the cottage, and the place shook with every renewed gust of wind. With the crashes of thunder sounding like a hundred massive plates tumbling to a tile floor, and the mean streaks of lightning scarring the sky, Teddy felt frighteningly isolated and more than a little nervous.
Still, she managed not to work herself up too much. “It’s good research,” she told herself—aloud again, for obvious reasons. “Now I’ll know exactly how someone feels when they’re stranded in an unfamiliar place in the middle of nowhere with a terrible storm raging around. At least I won’t have to worry about anyone breaking in in this weather—Ah—!”
She choked back most of the scream as her heart leapt into her throat. She darted to her feet, staring at the dark, shadowy figure running toward the cottage.
“Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod,” she whispered, looking around for something to use as a weapon. A broom. A tennis racket. A chair.
A knife! From the kitchen. And a frying pan, because, well,blood.
She bolted into the kitchen, hunkering down as she ran in a probably vain effort to keep from being seen by her soon-to-be attacker.
By now, the figure had reached the door, and she heard it rattling in its hinges.
And then, as she lifted the heavy frying pan, she heard the most terrifying noise of all: the sound of a key being fit in the lock.
Ohmigod.
Okay.
Stay calm.
But her knees were watery and her heart was pounding so hard that she thought she might faint. Images fromThe Shiningtore through her fertile mind as she ducked behind the edge of the kitchen door, holding the frying pan at the ready.
Maybe, with the lights out, the intruder wouldn’t know she was there. She could take him by surprise, and clock him with—
Oh, damn, her laptop was open and on…the screen was a dead giveaway.
