But she could not.
Dare shoved his hands into his pockets and on his face was a look of determination. “We’ll beat this, Erin. We just have to prepare the best way we can. I’ve already taken the necessary precautions at the resort. They’re the ones that are close to the ocean, not us. This house is on a hill, remember?”
“You’re right,” Erin said, frowning. She hadn’t thought about the resort at all. “What about the guests? How will they manage?”
“Half of them have already left and a few more will go tomorrow. For the ones who decided to stay we’ve moved them to the villas farthest from the beach. They’ll be on a grade so they should be fine.” He gave a sigh. “Thank God for loyal employees. We’ve got a skeleton staff staying on to serve them. They’ll all be paid triple time for staying."
“Because they’ll be away from their families?”
“Yes. I want them to know I appreciate the sacrifice they're making.” He smiled. “They don’t know it yet but I already spoke to the director of finance to factor in an extra bonus for them at the end of the year.”
“That’s generous of you,” she said and her heart warmed to him. He’d been a jerk, no doubt about that, but after seeing this other side of him how could she stay mad?
And how could she stay unaffected by this enticingly sexy man? She’d vowed to keep saying no but with her pregnant hormones raging she seemed to constantly be in a heightened state of arousal. She wanted him so badly she could almost taste it.
But she had to stay strong. For the sake of her heart she could not put herself at risk a second time.
The next day dawned clear and bright. You would never know a hurricane was on the way. It was perfect weather for the workmen to complete their task and within just a few hours they were done.
That evening she and Dare went through their list of supplies, making sure they had everything they needed. At the last minute Dare remembered one critical piece - they hadn’t checked the first aid kit. When they found it they realized that all the painkillers had expired and had to be thrown out. Dare made a quick dash to the local drug store, arriving just ten minutes before it closed. After that, with the kit filled with bandages, iodine for cuts and bruises, painkillers, gauze and a splint they were ready.
On the third day Erin and Dare woke to a sky that hung low and gray like an ominous shroud. Everywhere was still. There was no chirping or whistling in the trees this morning. Not a single bird had remained behind. Even the tree frogs seemed to have disappeared. The animals knew what was coming and they, too, had gone to seek shelter from the coming onslaught.
Even the air had stilled. Gone was the usual tropical breeze, the trade winds that would shake the leaves in the trees. It was as if they were in a vacuum-sealed flask.
Then the evening came and with it the first taste of what was to come. The air that had previously been so still now began to stir and within an hour of the first breeze a strong wind began to blow. With each passing hour it grew stronger until by nightfall the force of the wind had the palm trees bending low, practically kissing ground. What had started out as a whistling in the trees had now turned to a deafening howl that was almost human, making the hair on Erin’s nape stand on end.
“Come,” Dare said and she was grateful when this time he took her hand in his. His strength surged through her and she stepped closer to him.
Dare led her down the hallway and toward his suite and this time she was eager to go. There was a mighty beast outside pummeling the trees and battering the house and she was too frightened to stay alone.
They’d entered the sitting room and Dare was walking over to the table to rest the lantern down when a loud crack rent the air and the lights went out. Erin screamed and reached blindly for Dare.
“It’s okay, Erin, it’s okay.” His voice came to her from across the room and then he was beside her, gathering her trembling body close to his.
“Wh…what was that?”
“Probably a tree uprooted by the wind. It sounded like it crashed into the house.” Dare stroked her back as he spoke, soothing her jangling nerves. “I’m guessing it fell on a power line and that’s why the lights went out. I’ll go check-”
“Oh, no, you won’t.” Erin clung to him. “You’re not leaving me in the dark all by myself.”
“You’ll be alright. I’ll leave you with the lantern and take the flashlight.”
“I’m coming with you. I’m not staying here.”
“Erin,” Dare said with an exasperated sigh, “you’re safer here. I don’t want you exposed to danger.” As he spoke he reached behind his back to pry her fingers open. “I have to go check what's happening at the other end of the house.”
He loosened her arms from around his waist and stepped away. Erin almost cried out but she bit down on her bottom lip and swallowed, containing the fright that threatened to creep up from the pit of her stomach. She pulled her robe tighter and went to stand beside Dare who was testing a huge flashlight.
He looked over at her when she came near. “Why don’t you lie down for a bit? You have to take it easy, remember? You’re in your sixth month now.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m an invalid,” she retorted. “I don’t need to lie down.”
He reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I want you to. You can have the loveseat or just go into my bedroom. You’ll be a lot more comfortable there.”
“In the dark? All by myself? I don’t think so.”
“We've discussed this already, Erin. You’ll have the lantern-”
“No, I’m coming with you.”
“Jeez.” He blew out an exasperated breath. “Talk about stubborn. Okay, come on, but stay behind me at all times. When I open the door any kind of debris can fly in. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
"And what about you?”
“I can take care of myself.”