She cautiously made her way to the fireplace and spotted a book of matches on the ledge. A fire would offer light, and she could hang her clothes to dry.
There you go. Look on the bright side. Find the silver lining.She’d get through this long night somehow and before she knew it, she’d be pulling into her grandparents’ drive with a freshly washed Chevy, preening under their beaming gazes. Olivia who?
Her gaze drifted to the bed—the very small bed—then connected with Luke’s.
“You can have the bed. I’ll take the floor. Or I can sleep in the car if you’d rather.”
Tempting, the idea of him squished up in the back seat with Walter. But lock or no, she didn’t relish the idea of being alone out in the middle of nowhere. Besides, the cold cement floor was punishment enough.
“The floor is fine,” she said stiffly.
While he unrolled the sleeping bag, she turned to the kindling. A little fire would cheer this place right up. The match lit on the first strike, and she lowered it to the sticks and dried leaves. The bundle quickly caught fire.
“Nice of someone to leave us dry kindling.”
“Allie, that’s not kindling, it’s a—”
A large creature emerged from the sticks, hissing.
Allie jumped, backpedaling to keep from falling. Someone screamed. Maybe her.
The animal jumped from the kindling—er, nest—snarling at her.
“A raccoon! It’s a raccoon!” Allie jumped onto the bed, eyes glued to the masked creature as it bared its teeth at her. Whoa, those were some pointy fangs. “There’s a raccoon in here!”
“I heard you the first time.” Luke scrambled to the corner and wielded the broom. He swatted at the animal, who turnedand hissed at him, striped tail swishing. Luke was only making the thing mad with those swats.
“Get it! What if it has rabies?” She looked to Walter for help, but he hadn’t even made it to his feet yet. She scowled at him.
“Open the door,” Luke said.
The door. It was too far away from the bed. She’d have to get down—and get closer to the snarling creature. Kind of seemed like a bad idea.
“Allie, get the door!”
“I am!” Okay, she wasn’t, but she was working up to it. She eased to the end of the bed, eyeing the doorknob. Two steps away—three at most.
“Sometime today, Speedy.”
Allie jumped down, took the steps, and threw open the door. The movement caught the raccoon’s attention. It hissed at her, then gave chase. It was right on her heels! Allie screeched as she hopped back onto the bed.
Then Luke was there, between her and the animal with the broom, sweeping it away from her.
“Get it, Luke,” she called. “Get it out! Get it out!”
The creature swatted at the broom with its little paws, snarling at Luke, baring its tiny fangs. To think she’d once thought raccoons cute and cuddly.
He finally had the critter cornered. With a quick sweep of the broom he pushed it outside and slammed the door shut.
Allie was glued to the wall as far from the door as she could get. She pressed a hand to her thudding heart. Adrenaline surged through her bloodstream. Had that really just happened?
Luke’s gaze met hers. His eyes were wide, his shoulders heaving. The expression on his face . . . probably looked just like the one on hers.
She recalled the way Luke had wielded that broom, like a knight wielding a sword, his feet dancing, parrying with a—raccoon.
Allie burst out laughing. A smile cracked his face. And then he was laughing too.
“Oh my gosh,” she squeezed out. “The sight of you!”
