Page 37 of More Than Words
“You’re not going home tonight,” he said without preamble.
“Excuse me?”
“Figured you’d want a heads-up,” he said.“I just got called in for duty.”Preston worked with the local search and rescue crew.When he wasn’t out playing in the mountains, he was usually helping those who were.“It’s going to be a busy night,” he continued.“Trees are down on the main highway northbound, and Evergreen Way is a skating rink.Cars in the ditch everywhere.”
I sighed.“That’s the way I take home.”
“Which is why I say, you’re not going home tonight.”There was a trace of a smile in his voice, despite the serious job he was on.“Stay put.It’s a shit show out here.And the power lines are already sagging like crazy.I wouldn’t be surprised to see the power go out soon.”
“Shit.”
“That’s an understatement,” he said.“The first storm of the season is always a bitch.But this one is going to be a doozy.”
“Awesome,” I muttered, already heading for the brew room.“I better make sure the generators are in place and double-check the tank lines.”
“Good plan, brother,” Preston said.“Don’t risk the beer.”
“Priorities.”
“You know it.”He laughed, but there was an edge of seriousness to his voice when he asked, “You staying there, then?”
“Looks like it.”I didn’t have much of a choice.“Quinn’s with Reid and Avery at the inn.I’ll make sure things are good here.”
“Good.I’ll check in later.”
Before I could reply, the line went dead.Preston was in for a busy night.Not that he’d mind.He loved working with the search and rescue team.The adrenaline fueled him.
I tucked my phone in my back pocket and, with a sigh, went to check on the beer.
I had the generators in place.If the power went out, the beer would hold.
Still, I planned to keep a close eye on things.Just in case.
I leaned against the edge of a stainless-steel tank, staring at the blinking green lights and listening to the wind howl outside.
There was no going home tonight.
Delaney
There hadn’t been a customer in well over two hours, and judging by the way the snow was blowing sideways through the plaza, there wasn’t likely to be any.
I’d just finished locking up and was halfway through the shop to head up to my apartment when a flash of movement caught my eye.
Ethan.
He was bracing himself against the wind, snow clinging to his jacket and hood as he plowed his way through the snowdrift to the front of the shop.He tried the door and, finding it locked, rapped on the glass.
“What the?—”
I moved quickly, so he didn’t freeze to death, and unlocked the door.A blast of cold air rushed in with him.
“What are you doing, Ethan?You look like a snowman.”
“And I only walked a few feet from my door to yours.”He laughed and shook his head.“It’s crazy out there.”
“Which is why I ask, what are you doing?”
He brushed snow from the front of his coat and looked up.“I’m checking on you.”
