Page 3

As I pull into the drive, Stone whistles.

“How do you afford this on your salary?”

“This was my childhood home. When I was eighteen, my parents were killed in a car accident. They left me the house and a little nest egg.”

His expression changes with the news. “Oh, I’m sorry...I…”

“It’s okay, I don’t advertise it. I don’t want or need their pity. It will not bring my parents back. Are you waiting in the Jeep or you coming in?”

“I’ll follow you.” He winks.

Rolling my eyes for the millionth time at him, I say, “Let’s go. There will be another downpour in a few minutes.”

“How do you do that? Are you a weatherman? You always seem to know,” Stone says.

I laugh, “My parents nicknamed me Stormy. Ever since I can remember, I just have a feeling in my bones when it storms.”

Heading in, I take my shoes off at the door. Stone mimics me as he gazes in awe at the huge living room.

“Wow, this is some place you got here. You live here alone?” he asks.

“Yep, want a drink or I can turn the TV on? You are not following me to my room” I warn him.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He smirks. “I’ll just lounge on the sofa until you are ready. Maybe kick back and take a power nap.”

“Fine, I’m running upstairs. Even if the thunder scares you, stay here,” I mumble as I climb to the second floor.

There is no way in hell I’m letting him near my panty drawer. He may be sexy as all get out, but I don’t want a fling. I want love like my parents.

Stopping at the top of the stairs, my gaze stops on the master bedroom door. That door hasn’t been opened since my parents’ funeral. I went in and gathered clothes for the funeral and then shut that door, not having the courage to open it again.

“Harper, you done yet?” Stone’s voice floats up the stairs.

Shit, lost in my thoughts, I forgot he was here. “Give me a few.” I call down.

Making a beeline to my room, I head straight to my closet, grabbing a bag and shoving in a couple spare uniforms. Then I hit the intimate drawers and throw in a couple extra pairs of socks. As I cinch up my bag, there is a knock on the door.

“Sorry, it’s a little lonely downstairs. Need any help?” Stone smirks.

“All done, let’s go,” I say as I hook his arm and turn him back towards the stairs. When my skin touches his, electricity courses through me and I shudder a little. If Stone felt it, he didn’t react. I release my hold on him once we reach the landing and follow him down.

“Out to the car, time to go back to the office.”

“No more sight-seeing? This place is huge,” Stone says.

“It’s not that big, shut up and move it.”

Stone laughs and marches to the door and holds it open for me.

“Lock it behind you.” I order.

Harper

After the short drive back to the office, Morganite and I take a seat at our desks then Nicks tries to get our attention.

“Gather round,” he starts. “The storms have run their course. Now I need you pairs to work together and scour the forest. With all the lightning in this storm, there are bound to be a few fires breaking out. We need to locate them and get them extinguished as soon as possible. Reid and Riley-Zone One, Morse and Childress-Zone Two, and that leaves Arthurs and Morganite-Zone Three.” He holds up three maps, “I have taken the liberty of marking the boundaries for you. Morganite and Arthurs, your trip will take the longest as you will not be able to reach some of the zones in a vehicle. Make sure you both take a tent and adequate supplies. Now hop to it, there is only a handful of days before the next storm is scheduled to arrive.”

Pushing back from my desk, I make my way to Nicks. Reid and Morse have already taken their maps. I snap up the last one in his fingers.