finding all the treasure. They'll be plenty for both of us. And anyway, it's a lot safer if there's two of us on the beach together."
Later on, I'd find out she was right.
26
Anna and I continued our conversation late into the evening, not realizing the weather outside was getting worse, until a strong gust of wind rocked the motorhome violently.
"Did you feel that?" Anna asked.
"Yeah, the wind's really picking up. Maybe we should check the TV to see what they're saying about the weather."
I used the remote to power on the TV, and we scanned the channels until we found the local news.
They had a weather warning banner scrolling across the bottom of the screen and the newscaster said the weather report was coming up next.
Anna whispered, "Good timing."
We listened as the weatherman described the storm and displayed maps showing its progress.
According to 'Stan the weather man,' the storm had gathered strength and had also slowed down, meaning it would be churning overhead for at least the next twenty four hours.
Due to the high wind gusts, the Florida highway department had closed the two bridges leading onto Hutchinson Island as well as the bridge at Sebastian Inlet.
Citizens were advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and if travel was necessary, avoid driving through standing water, as it might be deeper than it seemed.
Anna looked at me, "I guess we're not getting off the island any time soon."
I agreed, "Yeah, it looks that way."
She shook her head, "My poor tent isn't going to be much shelter in this storm. I guess I'll be sleeping in the back of the Land Cruiser tonight."
I nodded, then said with a smile, "It's a shame you don't know someone who has a motorhome with a spare bed. Because if you did, you might be able to stay there. Especially if the person who had the motorhome owed you a favor for saving his life."
Anna just looked at me. Making sad puppy dog eyes.
Then she said, "You really wouldn't send me out in this storm and make me sleep in the back of my car, would you?"
I smiled, "I don't know, Anna. What if you are an axe murderer, running from the law? Would I be safe if you slept in here with me?"
She crossed her arms, leaned back and said nothing. She knew I was teasing her.
"Okay," I said, "I give in. You can stay here. The dinette folds out into bed. There's pillows and sheets in the cabinets above."
Anna stood and said, "I'll be right back."
Grabbing her raincoat, she headed out the door.
27
Anna returned a few minutes later, a gym bag in one hand, a flashlight in the other.
"Hope you don't mind, but I figured I might as well bring some dry clothes with me. Everything in the tent was already starting to get wet, so... "
She set the gym bag down, unzipped it and pulled out a bottle of wine.
"And I thought since we're not going anywhere, maybe we'd drink a bit more wine before we turned in."
I smiled, "Okay, but just one more glass for me. After that, I'm calling it quits."
I went to the kitchen and got a box of crackers, a block of sharp cheddar cheese, a plate and a knife. When I returned to to the table, Anna had already poured us both another glass of wine.
"So Walker, tell me more about yourself. What kind of work do you do? Any kids from your marriage? Girlfriends?"
Shaking my head I said, "After I got out of the military, I got into computer network security. That's what I was doing until recently. But I don't think I'll be doing that any more. I don't like working for big companies and dealing with corporate politics.
"And I don't have any kids. And just the one ex-wife. And when it comes to girlfriends, I'm not sure."
Anna laughed, "You're not sure whether you have a girl friend or not? What's that supposed to mean?"
I paused, then said, "It means the girl I thought I was involved with, recently told me she needed more time
Later on, I'd find out she was right.
26
Anna and I continued our conversation late into the evening, not realizing the weather outside was getting worse, until a strong gust of wind rocked the motorhome violently.
"Did you feel that?" Anna asked.
"Yeah, the wind's really picking up. Maybe we should check the TV to see what they're saying about the weather."
I used the remote to power on the TV, and we scanned the channels until we found the local news.
They had a weather warning banner scrolling across the bottom of the screen and the newscaster said the weather report was coming up next.
Anna whispered, "Good timing."
We listened as the weatherman described the storm and displayed maps showing its progress.
According to 'Stan the weather man,' the storm had gathered strength and had also slowed down, meaning it would be churning overhead for at least the next twenty four hours.
Due to the high wind gusts, the Florida highway department had closed the two bridges leading onto Hutchinson Island as well as the bridge at Sebastian Inlet.
Citizens were advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and if travel was necessary, avoid driving through standing water, as it might be deeper than it seemed.
Anna looked at me, "I guess we're not getting off the island any time soon."
I agreed, "Yeah, it looks that way."
She shook her head, "My poor tent isn't going to be much shelter in this storm. I guess I'll be sleeping in the back of the Land Cruiser tonight."
I nodded, then said with a smile, "It's a shame you don't know someone who has a motorhome with a spare bed. Because if you did, you might be able to stay there. Especially if the person who had the motorhome owed you a favor for saving his life."
Anna just looked at me. Making sad puppy dog eyes.
Then she said, "You really wouldn't send me out in this storm and make me sleep in the back of my car, would you?"
I smiled, "I don't know, Anna. What if you are an axe murderer, running from the law? Would I be safe if you slept in here with me?"
She crossed her arms, leaned back and said nothing. She knew I was teasing her.
"Okay," I said, "I give in. You can stay here. The dinette folds out into bed. There's pillows and sheets in the cabinets above."
Anna stood and said, "I'll be right back."
Grabbing her raincoat, she headed out the door.
27
Anna returned a few minutes later, a gym bag in one hand, a flashlight in the other.
"Hope you don't mind, but I figured I might as well bring some dry clothes with me. Everything in the tent was already starting to get wet, so... "
She set the gym bag down, unzipped it and pulled out a bottle of wine.
"And I thought since we're not going anywhere, maybe we'd drink a bit more wine before we turned in."
I smiled, "Okay, but just one more glass for me. After that, I'm calling it quits."
I went to the kitchen and got a box of crackers, a block of sharp cheddar cheese, a plate and a knife. When I returned to to the table, Anna had already poured us both another glass of wine.
"So Walker, tell me more about yourself. What kind of work do you do? Any kids from your marriage? Girlfriends?"
Shaking my head I said, "After I got out of the military, I got into computer network security. That's what I was doing until recently. But I don't think I'll be doing that any more. I don't like working for big companies and dealing with corporate politics.
"And I don't have any kids. And just the one ex-wife. And when it comes to girlfriends, I'm not sure."
Anna laughed, "You're not sure whether you have a girl friend or not? What's that supposed to mean?"
I paused, then said, "It means the girl I thought I was involved with, recently told me she needed more time
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