Page 11 of Colton On Guard
The overcast skies had threatened rain all day. Parker kept an eye on the clouds while taking his latest group four-wheeling up the mountain. When they reached their destination, a meadow with a small lake, the wind swirled the colorful leaves. Several of the guests dismounted, walking around and taking pictures.
When Parker pointed out the black bear on the other side of the water, cautioning guests to remain close, more people got out their phones to snap photos. This group had traveled from the Lower 48, where the sight of any kind of bear was uncommon. They all seemed thrilled.
The rain held off for the trip back down, too. Parker counted his blessings as they parked the four-wheelers in the storage barn and made their way back to headquarters. This time, instead of getting everything ready for the next trip, Parker followed the group into the building. He hung out in the waiting area while Genna checked the guests out one by one. All of the other employees, including Spence, had left for the day. With her broad smile and efficient process, she somehow managed to make each individual feel special. He marveled at the way each person reacted to her charm.
As the last guest said his goodbyes, thunder shook the building, followed by a bright flash of lightning. Startled, Genna squeaked then flashed him a sheepish smile. “I hope he makes it to his car,” she said as they both watched the guest break into a run.
As the man drove away, the sky opened up. Rain came down in sheets, the wind sending it sideways. More thunder, several rounds this time in succession, several lightning flashes and a loud boom.
“That sounded like an explosion,” Genna said. Just then the power went out.
When she made another tiny squeak, Parker fought the urge to go to her and pull her into his arms. “It’s going to be all right,” he said instead. “Lightning struck somewhere close.” He went to the front window and tried to see out. “As long as it didn’t start a fire, we’ll be okay. We can just hang out here until the storm passes.”
She made a sound that might have passed for agreement.
Another crack of thunder and immediately a lightning flash illuminated the room, showing him she remained on the backside of the counter.
“That was close,” he commented. The need to hold her, touch her, tell her he’d keep her safe, consumed him. Instead, he reminded himself that they were only coworkers, nothing more.
“I don’t like this,” she said, sounding disgruntled. “I checked the weather this morning before I came to work and it wasn’t supposed to rain until later tonight.”
Since RTA had a fireplace, he knew he could light a fire. They often did, especially in the winter when they needed to chase away the chill. If the day hadn’t ended, he might have. He could imagine himself and Genna, sharing a glass of wine on the couch with a fire blazing in the background.
Clearly, he’d gone over the edge. Digging out his phone, he pulled up his weather app. “Judging by what I see on the radar, it’s going to rain for a good while.”
“Great, just great. I guess we’ll need to cancel the get-together tonight.”
The disappointment in her voice matched the way he felt. “I think we should. Let me send out a group text and let everyone know. We’ll reschedule it for next Friday.”
She nodded, waiting in silence while he sent out the text. Her phone pinged, too, since he’d included her in the group. Sheglanced at the message and sighed. “I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”
“Me, too,” he admitted, earning a startled glance from her. “Since it’s still pouring out there, how about I drive you home?”
“I can drive myself,” she said, though she didn’t sound certain. “As long as the roads don’t wash out.”
Which she knew as well as he did, they would in this kind of storm. “My truck sits up higher than your car,” he pointed out. “Also, if you were to run into any trouble on the way home, I’d hate for the wrong person to find you.”
“Like the Fiancée Killer.” Her loud sigh told him what she thought of that. “I doubt even he’d be out hunting for victims in this.”
“You never know,” he replied. “Please, let me take you home.”
“What about my car?” she asked. “I don’t like the idea of being stuck at the house without transportation.”
“I can pick you up in the morning and bring you to work. You can get your car then.”
Outside, the sound of the rain increased, becoming a roar. Parker had always loved the sound of rain drumming on the metal roof of the RTA building. But right now, it sounded more threatening than soothing.
“At least we don’t get tornadoes here,” Genna commented. “I spent some time in Texas in the springtime and those tornado warnings are scary as heck.”
He loved that she didn’t swear. “You lived in Texas?” he asked. “I didn’t know that.”
“My ex-husband’s family lives there,” she said. “We were visiting them.”
The mention of her ex only reminded him of the night they’d spent together. He swallowed hard, forcing away the stab of longing. To distract himself, he tried opening the front door.
The wind nearly blew it out of his hands. Struggling, he managed to pull it closed. Turning, he wiped the rain off his face with his sleeve. “I don’t think we’re going anywhere for a bit,” he said, pulling out his phone and turning on the flashlight app. “We keep some camping lanterns in the storeroom just for this purpose,” he said. “I’m going to go get them.”
“Okay,” she replied. “I know I saw a couple of three-wick candles on the bookshelf in my office. If I can find a lighter, I’ll get those lit, too.”