Page 35

Jessica heard a huge crack and a thump that reverberated through the house. She quickly stood up and grabbed her pink chenille robe and wrapped it around her body.

How’s the storm up there? You have a lot of trees on the property.

Storm. She clutched her phone. Jessica didn’t even think to pretend she wasn’t worried.

I just heard something crash.

The house? Want me to come over?

Storm to the rescue. She wanted to roll her eyes at herself and his heroics, and yet her heartbeat calmed. She didn’t feel so alone.

Yes.

Too dangerous.

Her phone rang and Jessica didn’t bother to check the ID.

“I’m fine. I was in the bath. I’ll check for damage at first light if the storm’s blown out.”

“Why are you telling me you’re naked? Are you on one ofthoseonline dating sites?”

“Chloe.”

“Who else?” Chloe asked, laughing. “Were you sexting with Storm?”

“Of course not.” Jessica struggled for dignity. “He texted about the storm. He’s worried about the trees.”

“The trees?” How did her little sister put so much skepticism and laugher in two syllables. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s what Storm Stevens is inquiring about at ten on a Tuesday night with you naked and glistening in the bath.”

“I am out of the bath and am not glistening. And I’m hanging up, now.” But before Jessica pushed the red button she remembered Chloe’s ask. “Yes to us creating some party food favorites so that Rustin and his crew can enjoy the party.”

“Yeah,” Chloe cheered, and Jessica could picture her sister happily hopping around. “I marked some of the recipes in the book that I think would be fun,” Chloe added.

“Not that book,” Jessica groaned. “I’m sure between me, Meghan and Sarah we have enough experience and googling ability that we can come up with a tricked-out modern menu. We don’t need to dig through some old, random book.”

“I don’t think it’s so random,” Chloe said softly, and a chill slithered down Jessica’s spine just as she heard another crash that made her jump.

Two more texts came in from Storm, and she vacillated between wanting to resolve the issue of the book with Chloe and reassuring Storm. She didn’t want him to get it in his head to play hero by driving over to Cramer Mountain during a storm. Between the Catawba and South Fork Rivers, the narrow country road often flooded.

“It is random,” she said with a certainty she didn’t feel. “Grandma Millie would never ever give away a family heirloom.”

“She didn’t exactly give it away,” Chloe said slowly. “It was in her library one night, when we were all at the house, and I think she meant one of us to find it.”

Another text from Storm. And then he called.

“Chloe, let’s talk about that crazy theory another time.” It had to be crazy right? “Storm’s worried, and I don’t want him to drive over in the middle of this to check on me.”

“Because he’s worried about…the trees.” Chloe’s laughter burbled.

“You’re not funny.”

“Rustin says I am, and he’s almost impossible to make laugh, but maybe Storm should come. Do you think you’re in danger?”

“This farmhouse has stood for over one hundred and fifty years, and it’s been updated and retrofitted so I think it can stand hopefully the last winter storm tantruming.”

“I still think you should invite him over considering you are smelling so nice, and you’re wet, naked and glistening.” Chloe didn’t bother to try to hide her snickers.

Jessica hung up on her sister too late to catch Storm’s call so she quickly texted him. She didn’t need a man to rush in playing hero.