Something sounding suspiciously like a hysterical giggle rose within her, and she moved her hands to cover her mouth so she wouldn’t wake Jen. As though that was even a possibility. Her daughter had always been a sound sleeper, even as a baby. A herd of cows stampeding through the cabin would have trouble waking her.
On the other hand, I’m going to lay here wide awake for the rest of the night!
She listened for a moment but heard nothing from the front room, except the sound of the wind rattling the front door. Luke had insisted she and Jen take the bed and he’d sleep on the couch. His six-foot-three-inch frame wasn’t going to fit well on the barely five-foot couch. Could he possibly be sleeping soundly? Maybe she’d just take a peek.
Carefully, Sally slid from the bed, waiting a few seconds to make sure Jen still slept, then tiptoed away. The cut above her knee stung as she took her first step, and the cool air slid over her skin. The tender flesh at the site of the rough-edged wound was sore and slightly swollen. Matt had said that was to be expected, but if it appeared red or infected by morning, they’d be making a fast trip to urgent care. Sally had waved away his warning, hoping a day of rest was all she needed.
Crossing the threshold into the front room, she padded softly to peer over the back of the couch. Luke lay stretched on his side, arms and legs dangling over the edge of the cushions. His mouth barely open, his breaths worked in and out with the slightest wheeze. Long strands of hair cascaded over his forehead and into his face.Peaceful. Sally didn’t have the heart to disturb him.
A flash of light from beyond the window snagged her attention, and she walked silently across the floor until she could peer outside. A staggered shaft of lightning split the darkness and lit up the night sky to the southeast. She counted off—one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three—until she reached one thousand eighteen and a rumble of thunder cut her off. Sally smiled. According to the lesson her mother had taught her when she was a little girl—younger than Jen—the storm was still eighteen miles away. One count between lightning bolts and the resulting thunder marked each mile. She used to love thunderstorms…before her mother died.
Two minutes passed before another lightning bolt zigzagged to the ground. She flinched, only reaching one thousand five before thunder crashed nearby, fading to a rumble until it finally disappeared beneath the sound of the wind. She’d always loved the smell of the air right before a rainstorm, so she strode toward the door and pulled it open. The wind, whipping through the opening, nearly jerked the doorknob through her fingers.
She started when Luke caught the edge of the door with one hand as he stepped up silently behind her and slid his arm around her waist, pulling her back against him. The storm picked that moment to hurl another lightning bolt, closer this time, and she barely made it to one thousand two before the thunder boomed and sent them both back a step.
Luke braced one shoulder against the door and joined his arms around her, holding her tighter. “What are you doing up? Couldn’t sleep?” He spoke close to her ear and still the wind tried to carry his words away.
“Not a wink.” She leaned against his strong, hard chest and folded her arms over his. “I didn’t mean to wake you, though.”
“I’m a light sleeper these days.” He planted a kiss below her ear, and his warm breath on her cheek sent a shiver racing through her.
The storm had cooled the day’s heat, but now the wind across Sally’s skin wrapped her in a chill not caused by the temperature of the air, and she trembled for a different reason as a pinprick of anxiety invaded her space.
“Are you all right?” Perceptive as usual, she felt him tense.
No. She wasn’t all right, but how could she explain that to Luke when she didn’t understand it herself? She sensed something…and the odd feeling in the pit of her stomach felt strangely like dread where only happiness had rested a moment ago.
The next instant, the sky opened and the rain poured down, soaking the earth and beating out a staccato rhythm on the roof.Lightning flashed and the thunder rolled.There’s a song with those lyrics, isn’t there?That damn hysterical giggle was back, but she refused to allow it to surface. Sally was glad for the darkness. If Luke couldn’t see her face clearly, hopefully, he wouldn’t read the apprehension that was surely visible there. She should tell him she was fine, but that would be a lie. Something in the air—the darkness—the wind and the rumble of thunder across the meadow—
A sudden shudder caught her off guard and stopped her in midthought. “Do you feel that?” She rubbed her arms, rough with goose bumps. Logic told her she was being ridiculous, yet the certainty that someone or something was watching them grew until no doubt remained.
“Feel what? Are you cold? Let’s go inside.” Luke tugged her toward the warmth of the cabin but, held captive by something just beyond the fringe of her senses, Sally’s legs wouldn’t cooperate.
She’d never been one to believe in premonitions or unseen evil, but the fear tap dancing along her spine wasn’t normal.It’s only the storm.I’m having a panic attack over nothing.Just breathe.
Luke took her by the shoulders and forced her inside, closing the door. With the storm locked out, she should be okay…but she wasn’t. The presence was all around her.I’m going crazy.All the warmth seemed to have left her body. She pushed Luke away and hugged herself, rocking back and forth on her feet. As though awakening from a dream, she slowly became aware of Luke saying her name, worry and confusion evident in his voice.
“Sally? What’s going on? You’re freaking me out, babe.”
It seemed as though a great deal of time had passed, yet it couldn’t have. It was still dark. The wind still blew the rain into the side of the cabin in gusts and the thunder rumbled, though farther away now. She met Luke’s gaze and held it as though it was a lifeline. “It’s not over, Luke.”
“Fuck!” Apparently, his patience was growing thin. He scooped her in his arms and marched to the couch, sitting with her on his lap. The light of the lamp dispelled the darkness as he flipped the switch. “Talk to me, sunshine. What’s not over?”
A sob shook her, but she pulled herself up straight and looked him in the eye. “Whoever tried to kill us isn’t finished yet. I know it sounds crazy, but I canfeelhim—I can sense his sick, twisted desire to kill us—even Jen, if he finds her here.” She tried to jump from his lap, but Luke tightened his arms and wouldn’t let her go. “Luke, we have to get Jen out of here.” Hysteria was a breath away, but she had to hold it together or he wouldn’t take her seriously.
The expression on Luke’s face hadn’t exactly screamedwe need a straitjacket over here, but clearly he was biting his tongue to keep from saying something that would make the crazy lady go off. Sally didn’t blame him.
“Babe, Jen’s safe here with us. We’ll make sure she stays that way.” He stroked her bare arms as though she were a child scared of the boogeyman.Well, one of those is true.
She jerked away from him and gained her feet.
* * * *
Luke stared into the panic-filled blue eyes above him. His gaze took in her heaving chest, her determined stance and her hands fisted at her sides. What the hell had put her in fight mode? “Sally, let’s talk about this—” He reached for her only to have her slap at his hand.
“Luke, I’m getting Jen as far away from me as I can. This madman, whoever he is, will kill her too if she’s here with us.” She stopped and shook her head, confusion etched on her face for a split second. “You can either help me or stay out of my way.” She whirled and started for the bedroom.
He rose, ignoring the twinge in his back objecting to his quick movement, and reached her in two strides. Careful not to touch her, he placed his body in her path. As he towered over her, her hands plopped onto her hips and she stared at him with a did-you-have-something-to-say lift of her brow. She was so damn gorgeous when she got all riled up. Too bad he had no idea what had caused her strange mood.