Surviving the Storm

by Heather Woodhaven

David stilled for a short moment but didn’t turn around. “No, I’m not angry with you,” he muttered. “I’m angry at the situation. Please bear with me, Aria. I’m having a hard time with all of this. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”

  Her eyes blurred again. She needed to think about something else before she started crying, for she feared that once she started she wouldn’t be able to stop. Never had she ever felt so alone, and that was saying something.

  She stared at the back of David’s head. His hair used to be as curly as her own locks. Now, it looked trimmed—wavy, but no curls. The lower half of his face was covered with the same brassy dark blond hair. The beard made him look older, as well as the extra bulk his shoulders sported.

  “Did...did you grow the beard for the job?”

  He spun and raised an eyebrow.

  “To look older?”

  He shrugged and moved forward.

  “Please,” she said. “We don’t have to be friends, but I need...I need to talk to keep my mind...”

  “I get it,” he said, his voice softer. “Yes. The beard helped. When you’re one of the youngest on the crew, you need to earn their respect to lead them.”

  “So it’s rare to be young and be foreman?”

  He nodded. “My construction management degree came in handy.”

  She smiled. “You went back to school? I thought you had an automatic job with your dad.”

  “Mom encouraged me to get some extra experience outside of Dad’s crew.”

  She’d always liked David’s mom. It seemed like smart advice. “Living the dream, then?”

  He grunted a noncommittal response. “What about you?” He leaned up against the side of the rock wall for a moment and surveyed the layout of the land. “What’s up with the cleaning?”

  Her spine tingled. She hadn’t expected the conversation to turn personal, and she was a little bit embarrassed to share with him her career decision. She had a feeling he wouldn’t agree. And unlike George, who’d also questioned her choice, David wouldn’t quietly respect her new direction. She’d no doubt have to hear his thoughts on the matter and she wasn’t sure she could endure that just yet.

  David continued down the path. She lurched again onto yet another rock and decided the best route was to keep it short and simple. “I took a break from school for a while. Now I’m back. Cleaning pays the bills.”

  He narrowed his eyes and studied her for a moment, as if expecting she’d say more, but she didn’t reward him.

  “So why didn’t George tell me you were here when he hired me?” he asked. “You’d think he could’ve mentioned that little tidbit, unless someone had asked him to keep it quiet.”

  “I told you, he kept me in the dark too.” David had a point, though. When she had reconnected with George over a year ago, he’d asked after David. And she’d told him, in detail, about how their relationship ended. George had known it would be awkward for both of them and yet he kept it to himself. She huffed.

  David’s gaze darted behind her and down the hill. “What? Did you see something?”

  “No. Sorry. I just realized George was trying to play matchmaker.” She spotted a white tail bouncing up the boulders. This area of the coast had wild bunnies. They were a treat for visitors ever since she could remember. A rustle in the grasses revealed more bunnies, bounding up their way.

  “Wonder why they’re all coming this way,” David mused. He pointed to a bend in the creek. “Think we can make it over on those boulders?”

  If her shoes weren’t sopping wet, it’d be a piece of cake. She steeled her nerve. “I can manage.”

  David lengthened his stride. “Barbara was the matchmaker, wasn’t she? Didn’t she set up your mom and dad?”

  Aria cringed. He was hitting all the painful memories today. “Yes. Did you know Barbara passed away?”

  He jutted his chin out. “Yeah.”

  “Did you know George remarried last year?”

  “Yes, but I haven’t met her yet. What’s she like?”

  Trophy wife came to mind, as well as gold digger. The woman was probably twenty...maybe thirty years younger than George. “Uh. George loves—loved her. I know that much.”

  “That’s all you can tell me?”

  “I was raised if you don’t have something nice to say...”

  David turned and raised an eyebrow. “Point taken.” He sighed. “We should warn her in case those men come after her. Do you have her number?”

  Her face burned. She should’ve thought of that first. George would’ve wanted her to make sure Valentina was safe. “No,” she admitted.

  David reached out for her hand and together they crossed the creek one boulder at a time. The first boulder was easier than she thought aside from a little slipping, which he helped remedy. He let go of her hand and crossed to the second boulder.

  “It’s farther than I thought. Can you reach?”

  Aria didn’t answer but focused on her destination and stepped out. Unfortunately, he was right to be concerned. The front of her toe reached the rock, but she was uncomfortably straddled...and stuck. David grabbed her waist and pulled, and she found herself in his arms. “Thank you,” she murmured. The remaining boulder she crossed without incident, but she was thankful when her squishy shoes touched dry land.

  “How long since you called the police?”

  She consulted her phone. “Assuming the pileup is still an issue, I’m guessing Summerville police are still...ten or fifteen minutes out?”

  He blew out a long breath. “That long? Let’s get to your car before they spot us.”

  “Except I don’t have my car keys with me. They’re in my room.” There were fifteen other buildings on campus still waiting for their turn to be remodeled. Thankfully, George had let her stay for free in one of the units.

  He put his hands on his hips. “Your room?”

  “I’m staying in one of the cottage units,” she continued. “The men probably don’t even know I stay on campus. We could grab the keys or just hide inside until the authorities show up.”

  “Assuming we can get there without being seen.” He placed a hand on her back and shoved her down into the long grasses. “Get down!”

  FIVE

  Aria fell flat on her stomach. David flattened right next to her as if he was sliding into home base. She turned her face away as the sand sprayed. “What is it?”

  “I think I just spotted the guy you torched. I don’t think he’ll take kindly to seeing you again.”

  She pressed up on her elbows, her eyes peering through the blades, like a cat on the hunt. “You’re the one who fumed him unconscious. I doubt he’d take kindly to seeing you again either.” She squinted. The man carried a giant red jug. “What’s he doing?”

  “Looks like gas cans. I’d say he’s preparing to torch the center.”

  She dropped her forehead into sandy hands and prayed the authorities would be able to stop him. The tall grasses rustled all around her. She jolted as fur brushed against her arms. “More bunnies.” She peeked up. They were all bounding for the rocks, up into the state park.

  “Something must’ve spooked them. I can’t imagine they’re running from the men unless they’ve already started a fire.” He groaned. “I was thankful there weren’t any tourists around when they were trying to shoot us, but now, I’m wishing for some more people to help us.”

  The wind gust whipped the long grasses against their heads and sprayed a layer of sand against her arms. “David, if the conference center is on fire, the rest of the campus is going to go up in flames. One building at a time—like dominoes.”

  His hand still rested on her back, the heat from it making it hard for her to focus. “We’re not waiting around for that to happen. Start crawling.”

  Twenty feet ah
ead was the corner of the cottage labeled the Skipper’s Quarters. Once behind that, they would be safe from view until the cottages. Her throat burned. It was George’s home, back when Barbara was still alive. His new wife, Valentina, insisted they live off campus, though, and he’d obliged. “At least we know Valentina isn’t here.”

  “Good. How do we know that?”

  “I don’t where they live, only that it’s not here anymore.” Her knees stung from the occasional pebble she crossed. “Ready?”

  He nodded.

  She straightened and sprinted. A hundred feet more and they’d be safe behind the Bible Study Lodge. She looked to David. He wasn’t nearly out of breath as she was, his long legs taking one stride for every two of her quick feet.

  She rounded the corner and pressed her hands on top of her knees to catch her breath. “One more parking lot to cross.”

  David looked over his shoulder. “Clear.”

  She took a deep breath, and they were sprinting again. At her door, she slipped the card into the lock and the light flashed green. She dashed inside, David directly behind her. The walls around her provided a sense of safety, even if it was false, and she felt her guard weakening. She slumped to the ground. Her heart beat so hard and fast against her throat that nausea overwhelmed her. “I think I’m dying,” she said between gulps of air. Her hand flew to her mouth at the realization of what she’d just said. How could she be so insensitive? The events of the past half hour broke her. Her breath turned jagged, fighting to hold back sobs that threatened.

  David’s knees dropped in front of her. “Oh, Aria.” He patted her shoulder clumsily.

  “It’s such a stupid expression.”

  “I know. I say it, too. It’s okay. We both need time to process, but unfortunately, we can’t afford that right now, honey.”

  Her gaze flew to meet his from the term of endearment. Was he blushing?

  David continued. “I don’t think we can afford to wait here for the cops when we don’t know how long it’ll take them. Can you tell me where your keys are and I’ll get them?” He stood up and looked around the room—everywhere, it seemed, but at her.

  “No. I’ll get them.” She stood up, her heart still in her throat from the physical exertion. She walked past the living room into the small kitchenette. Her black purse sat on the counter. She rifled in it until she came across the jingling set. She slung the purse strap diagonally, and cringed at the sensation of her wet clothes stuck to her skin.

  The framed family picture on her shelf caught her eye. It had been a gift from George when she first arrived. George had no idea the picture on the beach had been the last photo taken of her with her parents until he presented it. If there was a chance the building was going to catch on fire, she didn’t want this photo to go with it.

  * * *

  David noted Aria’s demeanor change when she picked up a framed photograph with great care. He couldn’t see who was in the photograph—a boyfriend perhaps? He hoped it was a family photograph, which prompted his desire to ask after her parents. They used to be good friends with his own parents, but his mom said they hadn’t heard a word from the Zimmermans ever since David cut ties with Aria. That had surprised him, as Aria’s father didn’t seem to be the type of guy to allow that to affect a long friendship.

  Her dad was a man David genuinely respected, one of the men he hoped to emulate when starting his own business. He wanted to find a way to ask or peek at the photograph, but he had no right and he supposed it wasn’t the time to have such a conversation. David followed her into the kitchen and cleared his throat. “We need to go in case they succeed in starting a fire.”

  Her eyes widened. “Computer!” She dropped the frame into her purse, spun and ran into the bedroom. “We need to check George’s thumb drive.”

  “And we can do that as soon as I get you somewhere safe!” He clenched his jaw, angry with himself for letting her take her time. They should be far away by now.

  She emerged from the hall. He recognized the silver behemoth of a laptop. She had received the computer as a present when she went away to college years ago. Her parents had it outfitted with the expensive engineering software she would need for her architecture courses. It was an out-of-date beast now.

  Aria struggled to shove it in her purse. He blew out a breath. “Aria, just let me take it. We’re risking our lives standing around.”

  She raised her eyebrows, and he knew it was a losing battle. Once she’d decided to do something there was no deterring her. They were both stubborn. They only chose to be obstinate about different things.

  “I’m calling the police for a new ETA.” He raised the phone to his ear, but the floor started to shake. He struggled to stay upright.

  The phone crashed to the ground. Aria’s eyes widened as she fell backward, her hands gripping the laptop.

  He lunged for her and grasped her elbows but barely kept her standing as his own balance was put to the test. The lamp on the end table crashed to the ground. Little bits of drywall dropped from the ceiling like snowflakes.

  The earthquake was stronger than any he had experienced in the past, and as a California boy, that was saying something. He looked into Aria’s wide eyes. “Drop!” They both hit their knees and crawled across the littered floor. He squeezed underneath the thin entry table lining the wall next to the door and made sure there was room for her. She set the laptop down beside her and grabbed the outside leg of the table. David followed suit and grabbed the opposite leg.

  Crash!

  David groaned. The beautiful flat-screen television had smashed to the ground, leaving a gaping hole in the wall.

  A rumbling boom in the distant grew closer, almost as if thunder had rolled across the coast. Aria’s wide eyes searched his face. “What was that?”

  “It could be the conference building,” he said, hoping he was wrong. At least it was the only building that had been remodeled under the previous foreman’s direction. After David’s initial inspection he had hoped to ask George how he would know if the crew left behind were part of whatever shady dealings that had occurred. Now he’d never know the answer.

  David also wondered how his truck was faring parked next to the storage shed—also not the most stable workmanship he’d ever seen. This had to be the worst day of his life thus far, and he prayed he’d never experience worse. He had driven all day from his old job in Northern California to take over as foreman for the center’s remodel. In fact, he’d been on site for only an hour before the shooting.

  But what would’ve happened had he turned George down and never come? Would Aria have been left alone to face the murderers? Would she still be alive without him? His chest ached at the thought. The gunmen were still out there, and he needed to get Aria to a safe location.

  He slid his hand out from under the covering of the flimsy table and grabbed his fallen phone. Despite a crack down the front of the glass, it seemed to be in working order.

  After he dialed 9-1-1 for a second time, the phone emitted a series of beeps before a computerized voice informed him, “All circuits are busy. Please try your call again.”

  He groaned. “Try your phone.”

  Aria fumbled in her purse for a second but within moments came to the same conclusion. “Network is overloaded. Always happens when there’s an earthquake.” Her mouth dropped. “That’s why all the rabbits were heading for the state park. Instinct.”

  He’d agree with her, but it seemed odd to him that the rabbits were heading for higher ground. He shrugged. “That settles it. We have no guarantee that help is around the corner anymore. Let’s go before any aftershocks can happen, assuming the roads are okay. For all we know, with an earthquake of that magnitude there could be rockslides on the highway. Where’s your car?”

  “Right around the corner, next to the garden.”

 
He nodded, scrambled out from under the table and flung the door open. Aria had her suitcase of a purse slung over her form diagonally. A third of the laptop stuck out, but she still managed to sprint past him. Thankfully the snow and rain mix had stopped. He matched her speed but came to a crashing halt when he spotted the only car in the parking lot facing the gardens. “You still have the Bug?”

  The baby blue Volkswagen Beetle made him cringe just looking at it. His knees would need to shove into his chest to lower himself into one of those, but it fit Aria and her cheerful personality.

  She nodded, the pink hues from the setting sun illuminating her hair. He looked above her head. The middle of the conference center roof resembled a bowl. His jaw clenched. Needless destruction.

  Aria followed his gaze. “You were right,” she whispered. “It caved. I’m so thankful we got out of there in time.” She sniffed, prompting him to do the same. Had they started the fire?

  “David, do you smell something?”

  SIX

  Aria’s mouth filled with the taste of burnt rubber. “They lit the center on fire, didn’t they?”

  “I’m not sure. I don’t smell anything yet.” David put a hand on her shoulder, and a small shiver went up her spine. “Either way, let’s get out of here.”

  She took a step away from his touch and fumbled for her car keys. David put his hand over hers and stilled her shaking fingers. She looked up at him. How could he look so good despite everything? Aria was positive she had bits of insulation in her hair and probably wet seaweed on her face from the cave. Her only hope of not looking like a drowned rat was the setting sun.

  On him, the purple and orange hues hit his face in a way that only highlighted his best features—his lips, his eyes and the new definition in his arms. She hadn’t forgotten how well he kissed, and the time in the cave only refreshed her memory all too well.

  “I’ll drive,” he said and slipped the keys from her fingers.

  She let him take the keys without an argument. “It’ll be dark within a few minutes,” she muttered.