Page 16 of July's Bad Boy: Blaze

That's when the storm hits.

Rain slams into us like someone upended the sky. Lightning flashes, lighting up the road that's rapidly becoming a river. Grace grips the steering wheel tighter, slowing to a crawl.

"Maybe we should wait it out," Grace says, peering through the windshield.

Before I can answer, a deafening crack splits the air. Through the rain, I see a massive pine tree topple across the road ahead.

"That's not good," I mutter, as the truck stops.

Grace turns to look behind us, just as lightning illuminates the road we've traveled. Or what was a road. Now it’s a small river of water, washing away the shoulder and half of the pavement.

"We're not getting through tonight," she says, her voice remarkably calm.

I scan the area, and through the curtain of rain, I spot a run down driveway, the kind that leads to a hunting cabin. A cabin, set back from the road. Recognition flickers. I know this place. My family stayed here once, years ago, when I was a kid.

"See that?" I point toward the light. "I think it's a hunting cabin. Should be empty this time of year."

Grace squints through the rain. "Breaking and entering during a natural disaster. Why not?"

After putting the truck in reverse, she carefully navigates toward the cabin's driveway. "Looks like we've got no choice," I say, as we start up the driveway. "Hope you don't snore."

CHAPTER 6

GRACE

I'm starting to think Mother Nature has a personal vendetta against me. Or maybe she's just got a twisted sense of humor. Either way, I'm not laughing.

"This is not happening," I mutter, staring through the windshield of my truck as we head up the driveway to a possible cabin Blaze mentioned. The wipers are fighting a losing battle against the downpour, and ahead of us, an enormous pine tree blocks the entire road. Behind us, the water has washed away the dirt driveway we just traveled, leaving nothing but a muddy ravine.

We're trapped about halfway up the driveway to this cabin.

Blaze is already out of the truck, rain plastering his hair to his head as he examines the fallen tree.

I roll down my window just enough to yell at him. "You think you can move that alone?"

He turns back to me, rain streaming down his face, and flashes that infuriating grin. “Not sure. Though I know I can't move the damn road, either. But I know there is a dry cabin just up the way."

"Of course you do," I reply.

But my options are limited to either trusting him or spending the night in my truck while the storm rages. I grab my jacket from the back seat, take a deep breath, and step out into the deluge.

The rain hits me like a cold shower, soaking through my clothes in seconds. Blaze is already gathering our bags of supplies and a case of water from the truck bed.

"We can come back for the rest tomorrow," he shouts over the wind. "Once the storm passes."

I nod, locking the truck and pocketing my keys. "Which way?"

He points to a barely visible trail leading into the woods. "Follow me. Stay close."

We trudge through mud and undergrowth, making the walk feel like miles. The rain seems determined to drown us, and twice I nearly slip down an embankment. When it happens the second time, Blaze's hand shoots out to steady me, strong fingers wrapping around my upper arm. He doesn't let go right away, and I don't pull away as quickly as I should.

By the time the cabin comes into view, I'm soaked to the bone and shivering. It's a small, weathered structure nestled among the pines. The kind of place that looks like it's been there forever.

"Please tell me it’s unlocked," I say through chattering teeth.

Blaze gives me an apologetic look. "Not exactly."

He leads me to the front door, then kneels down and feels along the bottom of a nearby rock. Nothing. He tries under the welcome mat, then above the door frame.

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