Read Online Heart's Reward by Donna Hill - Free Book Online Page B

Can we get you something to eat, drink?”
    â€œNo, I’m fine, thanks.”
    â€œEvan should be fixing dinner. But just let me know if you want something beforehand.” She turned to her brother. “Were you planning to stay for dinner?”
    Before he could answer, the sky lit up and the inside of the house was swathed in darkness.
    â€œThe generator should kick in in a minute if the lights don’t come back on,” Alan offered.
    Several moments passed. Voices of concern coming from the hallway drew closer.
    â€œHey, what’s going on with the power?” Vincent asked from the other end of a flashlight. His sister was right behind him.
    â€œThe generator should be on by now,” Veronica complained.
    â€œHey where is everybody?” Jessica yelled from the basement, her voice coming closer as she bounded up the stairs.
    â€œWe’re in here,” Vincent replied.
    Jessica, a bit breathless, joined the group just asanother bolt of lightning provided the only other illumination.
    Alan walked to the window. “This is a bad one. No lights on the entire shore.”
    â€œWhat?” the group chorused in disbelief and joined Alan at the window.
    Veronica picked up the phone and brought it to her ear. “Dead.”
    â€œWhat about your cell, Alan?” Melanie asked.
    He took his BlackBerry out of his pocket.
    â€œWeak but usable. Government has to be good for something.” He put it back in his pocket.
    Evan entered the room bearing a tray of lighted candles. “I found the hurricane lamps in the cabinets.” He set the lamps down, then placed the lighted candles on the tables and shelves around the room.
    â€œThanks, Evan,” Melanie said.
    â€œFortunately I’d already finished dinner when the lights went out. Should I bring everything in here or should I set up in the dining room?”
    Melanie moved away from the window. “In here is fine.”
    He nodded and walked out.
    â€œGuess we can pretend we’re camping,” Jessica offered, “like when we were kids.”
    Veronica and Vincent laughed. “Oh, you mean the times that you used to cry because you were scared of the dark?” Vincent taunted.
    â€œNo, I was thinking of the time that you got chased around by a bee all day and it finally bit you on the nose, which blew it up to five times its normal size. And Cheryl Adams wouldn’t speak to you for a week. That’s more like the time I was talking about,” Jessica replied with deadpan sarcasm.
    Veronica whooped with laughter. “I remember! You were a mess.”
    â€œI’m gonna call my wife,” Vincent said. “Someone loves me.” He walked over to the corner near the window and took out his phone. Shortly he was in conversation with his wife, assuring her that if at all possible he would get home.
    â€œFrom the look of it out there, you’re going to have to camp out here today, buddy,” Alan said to Claude.
    â€œThe rain isn’t letting up.”
    â€œYou really think so?” His shadow lengthened and shortened in the candle light.
    â€œIf nothing else it’s too dangerous to drive in weather like this. The chances of flash flooding are almost certain and it’s pitch black outside,” Melanie said. “We have plenty of room. Don’t even worry about it.”
    Claude inhaled slowly then shrugged. “The locals know best,” he conceded, knowing that he had no qualms whatsoever of spending the night under the same roof as Melanie Harte.
    Evan rolled the food cart into the room and begansetting out dinner on the long serving table that braced the wall. The silver covered trays couldn’t contain the mouth-watering aroma that wafted from under the lids.
    Braised baby lamb chops in Evan’s special sauce, saffron rice, a mixed greens salad, fresh string beans and fingerling potatoes.
    â€œEnjoy,” Evan said before leaving the