Debby Giusti - Stranded

“I’ve got a carry-on bag in the trunk of my car, but I didn’t think about it until now,” Colleen admitted.

“I’ll get it when I head back to the triage area,” Frank volunteered.

Colleen held up her hand. “No need. I’ll get it in the morning.”

“Is there anyone in Atlanta you want to call who might be worried about you?” Evelyn asked.

“That’s kind of you, but I have a cell phone.” Colleen patted her pocket, reassured by the weight of her mobile device.

“You might not have coverage,” Evelyn said. “Some of the cell towers were hit by the storm. Thankfully our landline is still working.”

“I take it you got through to the rural fire department,” Frank said to his sister.

She nodded. “Which was a blessing. They passed on the information to emergency personnel in town. The local radio station quoted the mayor as saying search-and-rescue operations would continue into the night and throughout the next few days.”

“At a minimum.” Frank glanced at his watch. “I need to hurry back.”

“You need to eat something,” Evelyn insisted.

He shook his head.

“Then I’ll make a sandwich to take with you.”

“More of your attempts to fatten me up?” His tone held a hint of levity that surprised Colleen.

Evelyn opened the refrigerator and pulled out lunch meat, cheese and mustard. As she layered the meat and cheese on two slices of bread, Frank grabbed a glass from one of the overhead cabinets. He filled it with ice and added water from the dispenser on the door of the refrigerator.

“You’ll need your coat,” Evelyn said, cutting the sandwich in half and wrapping it in foil.

Colleen accepted the water from Frank. From all appearances, his sister was the nurturing type, and despite the macho persona he tried to impart, the CID special agent seemed to readily accept her advice.

“I’m changing into my uniform. Fort Rickman’s getting involved, and I want to help them set up.”

“You’re still on convalescent leave, Frank.”

“Only for another week.”

He glanced at Colleen and then headed into the hallway that led to the front of the house. “Back in a minute.”

While Frank changed, Evelyn showed her to a guest room located behind the kitchen. “This doubles as my office and sewing room. I hope you won’t mind the clutter.”

A computer sat on a small desk, and colorful baskets filled with fabric and threads were neatly tucked in the shelving that covered the far wall. A double bed, nightstand and small dresser took up the rest of the space.

“If the weather warms tomorrow, you can use the screened-in porch.” Colleen pointed to the French doors leading to the private sitting area. “It’s usually nice this time of year, although tonight the temperature’s a bit chilly.”

“It’s a lovely room, Evelyn, but I fear I’m putting you out.”

“Nonsense. I’m glad Frank found you.”

Which he had. He and Duke had found her in the rubble. If they hadn’t, no telling how long she and Vivian would have been trapped.

“You’re fortunate the storm spared your house,” Colleen said as she glanced outside at the downed branches littering the yard.

“God answered our prayers.”

Colleen nodded. “I’m sure the Amish folks prayed, as well.”

“Of course. Their faith is strong. In fact, they are a resilient community and a forgiving people. They’ll rebuild.”

“I hate to see dreams destroyed.”

Evelyn nodded knowingly. “If only we knew what the future would hold.”

The melancholy in her voice gave Colleen pause. Perhaps Evelyn had her own story to tell.

“Frank said there’s a bus station in Freemont.”

Evelyn raised her brow. “You’re in a hurry to get back to Atlanta?”

The question caught Colleen off guard. “As...as soon as possible.”

Mentally weighing her options, she realized none of them were good. She couldn’t fly without her driver’s license and airline identification. Both were in her purse, buried in her car.

She had planned on a fast trip to Freemont to gather the last bit of evidence she needed to send Trey to jail. Now Vivian was in the hospital, and Colleen was stranded in an area devastated by a tornado. To add to her situation, she was holed up with a law enforcement officer who made her uneasy.

A tap sounded at the entrance to her room. She turned to find Frank standing in the doorway. He was clean-shaven and dressed in his army combat uniform. Maybe it was the boots he wore or the digital print of the camouflage that made him seem bigger than life.

She needed to breathe, but the air got trapped in her lungs.

“I’ll be back later. Don’t wait up, sis.”

“The sandwich is on the counter.”

“You’re spoiling me.” Raising his hand, he waved to Colleen and then hurried toward the kitchen.

“The sandwich,” Evelyn reminded him.

“Got it,” he called before the front door slammed closed behind him.

“Why don’t you wash up and come back to the kitchen for something to eat.” Evelyn motioned toward the hallway.

“Thanks, but I’m not hungry.”

“A bowl of soup might be good.”

The woman didn’t give up.

As if on cue, Colleen’s stomach growled, causing her to smile. “A cup of soup sounds good.”

Once Evelyn returned to the kitchen, Colleen pulled back the curtain in the bedroom and watched Frank lower the back hatch on his pickup truck. Duke hopped into the truck bed and barked as if eager to get under way.

Frank climbed behind the wheel. The sound of the engine filled the night. He turned on the headlights that flashed against the house and into the window, catching her in their glare.

She stepped away, hoping he hadn’t seen her. Much as she appreciated Evelyn’s hospitality and grateful though she was of having a place to stay, Colleen worried about Frank’s questions and the way he stared at her when he thought she wasn’t looking.

After her sister’s death and her own struggle with the Atlanta police, Colleen wanted nothing more to do with law enforcement. Now she was seeking shelter in the very home of a man she should fear.

Only she didn’t fear Frank. Something else stirred within her when he was near. Unease, yes, but also a feeling she couldn’t identify that had her at odds with her present predicament. She needed to leave Freemont as soon as possible, but until she retrieved her purse and the photo card, she had no other choice but to stay with Frank and his sister.

Hopefully she wasn’t making another mistake she would live to regret.

* * *

A desire to protect her stirred deep within Frank when he saw Colleen standing at the window as he pulled his truck out of the drive. She had a haunting beauty with her big eyes and high cheekbones and the shock of red curls that seemed unwilling to be controlled.

Did her rebellious hair provide a glimpse into who Colleen really was? She tried to maintain a quiet reserve, yet perhaps a part of her longed to be free like the strands of hair that fell in disarray around her oval face. That disparity between who Colleen tried to be and whom he had caught a glimpse of when she wasn’t looking gave him pause.

Driving down the hill from his sister’s house, Frank thought of his own past, and the picture he had painted for his life, all with broad brushstrokes. At one time, he’d had it all and thought the future would provide only more positive moments to share with Audrey. He found out too late that she lived life on the surface and wasn’t willing to go beneath the false facade she had created.

Frank had thought she understood about sacrifice for a greater good. He’d realized his mistake when she left him, unwilling to be tied down to a wounded warrior who had to face a long, difficult recovery.