A Deep and Dark December by Beth Yarnall Page B

to you.”
    She thought to deny it, then nodded. Unable to resist.
    “Tell me about it. Let me help you.”

The loud thump of a door closing broke through the haze that had invaded Erin’s brain. She shook her head, suddenly realizing where she was and whom she was with.
    What the hell just happened?
    She’d almost told Graham her secret, that’s what. No good could come from that. He’d never understand. How could she explain the unexplainable? What if he told other people about her? What if he told Keith?
    Then another thought struck. How did he know about her ability?
    “You can’t help me.” She pulled free and stood. Too many things were happening inside her. She couldn’t catalog them all fast enough to put them neatly in their slots to deal with later. She had to get out of there.
    He rose and shook his head as though he didn’t understand what had just happened either. “What was that?”
    She didn’t think he was only talking about her collapse. Hugging herself to ward off the sudden chill, she shook her head. She had no answers for him.
    Graham watched her closely. “You know what I think—”
    “Elmer left,” Keith said from the doorway.
    Erin started. She’d been so focused on trying to figure out what Graham did and didn’t know about her that she hadn’t noticed Keith’s entrance.
    “He said you were sick or something.” Keith walked over and put his arm around her. “Are you feeling okay, angel face?”
    “Not really.”
    “You’re pale and you’ve been through so much. Let me take you home.” Keith gave Graham a look that dared him to argue.
    “I can finish getting your statement tomorrow.” Graham didn’t look happy about having to wait. Or was it Keith’s sudden appearance? Had something gone on between them that she didn’t know about?
    Erin started to gather her things, and realized her cell phone wasn’t among them. “My phone’s missing.” She looked to Graham, thinking maybe he might have taken it.
    “I don’t have it.”
    “I must’ve dropped it at Greg’s house.”
    “We’ll look for it tomorrow,” Keith said.
    “I need it now. I have to call my boss to tell him what happened, plus I need to check in with my aunt and dad.”
    Keith steered her toward the door. “All right. We’ll get it tonight if that’s okay with the sheriff.”
    “One thing,” Graham said, causing them to pause in their tracks. “Erin rides with me.”
    “I don’t see why—” Keith began.
    “I have to control the scene,” Graham interrupted. “I want a tight case. Not that she would, but I don’t want anyone to come back and accuse her of tampering with evidence.”
    “Fine,” Keith bit out. “I’ll follow you over, then take her home afterward.”
    “Fine,” Graham agreed.
    Erin had to endure Jessica’s blatant gawking and Mabel’s not so stealth staring as they passed through the front office. No doubt tonight’s events would be all over town by morning. If they weren’t already. Just what she needed—another reason to stand out. She was grateful to finally be out on the porch and out from under their watchful stares.
    It was still raining in great sheets, the sound constant and unrelenting. Lightning flashed, followed closely by a loud crack of thunder. The storm hovered over the town like a punishment.
    “After this we’ll get you home, snuggle up on the couch, and maybe watch a movie or something,” Keith said. “How does that sound?”
    “Good.” It actually kind of did. She didn’t want to be alone tonight.
    Keith kissed her cheek and went down the steps to his car.
    Graham grabbed his umbrella from the stand by the door and opened it. “Let’s get you in the car so you can hurry up and do that snuggle movie thing.”
    Was that sarcasm in Graham’s tone?
    He took her elbow and helped her into his car. She tried to get a read on him, but the cloud-covered moon darkened the night, making it difficult to see his expression. He tossed the umbrella