Sizzle (St. Martin Family Saga): Emergency Responders by Gina Watson Page A

was raised. Sensing the conversation needed to remain between them, she led him into the foyer.
    “We can drop you at the local shelter; you’ll be safe there. I don’t need to tell you that these houses back up to a major bayou.” His demeanor changed for a fleeting second. His eyes glazed over and he was no longer there in the present. “Even if you move to higher ground, the attic, the roof, you will drown, the current will wash all of this away.” He wasn’t moving. He just stood in a trance, eyes unblinking. Thinking of the past she guessed but she didn’t like what she was hearing. She wanted to bring him back from that place but she didn’t know how.
    She placed her hand on his forearm. “Sir.”
    His head jerked toward her voice. He picked up his equipment. “With the water rising, it’s not safe here.”
    “What about Mrs. Howard?”
    He looked down, swallowed, and then lifted his head to meet her gaze with a grimace. “Our vehicle can’t get to her—water’s already too high. We’d stall.” He pulled the handles on his boots and they extended another six inches.” I won’t stop trying to get to her, but I can’t risk the engines; we’re gonna need them when this all blows over.”
    Eve placed her hands on her hips and leaned forward so only Clay could hear her harsh whisper. “Are you suggesting I leave her alone here?”
    He straightened and leaned away from her. “No, I’m just telling you the facts. Power company’s about to cut the electric too.”
    Frantic, Eve shook her head. “What? Why would they do that?”
    “For safety. Water and power lines don’t mix well.” He zipped up his heavy jacket. “It’s your last chance. Do you want to go to the shelter?”
    Eve closed her eyes, amazed at his insensitivity for the second time. “No. I won’t leave her here to die alone like an animal.”
    Clay groaned at her words. He held up his hands, surrender style, and she fought back a flinch.
    “Fine, stay here. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    He turned to Jack. “Ready.”
    Eve was outraged at his cavalier attitude—he would have her leave Ruth alone. But he was a firefighter ; didn’t they all abide by some creed? And what about her instincts? She was so sure he wouldn’t allow a woman to come to harm.
    The door was almost shut, but then it opened again and the beast came through it. He walked right up to her, his gaze intense. “I’ll see what I can do to get back here. Sheriff’s got a vehicle that might be able to do it; I’ll try to figure something out.” He turned and was gone, leaving a quiet and humble Eve standing in the foyer.
    After taking a few deep breaths, she returned to the den to sit with Ruth. The incessant nattering from the television lulled Eve to that state just before sleep. Sudden and loud booming explosions had her jumping up, and then the lights dimmed, slowly going dark. Once the black settled in, Eve became alarmed. Without the sound from the television to muffle the outside noise, they could hear the storm’s wrath. And it sounded intensely angry.
    Huge oaks creaked as wind exploded through the branches and leaves. The tree in the front yard had limbs that stretched over the house, and every now and then something hard landed on the roof. The winds howled, and the house rumbled beneath them. It sounded as if rocks were continuously slamming into the windows and panes.
    Perhaps the eeriest effect was the inner doors of the house slowly swaying back and forth. She couldn’t understand their motion because she didn’t feel any air circulating. Even if there were a fan or air conditioner blowing, the doors had never moved before; they were too heavy.
    When the wind rushed through the eaves of the house, the result was a horrible rattle that sounded like rodents scurrying across the roof. Eve wanted to ask Ruth if she knew what each of the sounds meant, but she didn’t want to cause the woman more distress, and so her questions remained