Page 11 of Love in the Storm

Cool? So not cool.

“Anyway. I really appreciate you getting me out of the storm, but you don’t have to wait on me hand and foot.”

“I don’t mind.” She twisted her fingers in her lap and laser-focused her stare at the TV, praying he’d stop looking at her and pay attention to the headlines instead.

Lyric’s stomach growled, and she tightened her arms around her middle.

Asa looked toward the kitchen. “Any food here?”

“I stocked the kitchen today for tomorrow’s renters.” Lyric stood and brushed a hand down the fluffy robe she wore. “I’ll make you something.”

“And you,” Asa said.

Lyric shook her head. “It’s not mine. I don’t want the owner thinking I would take anything from her. She trusts me with her cabins, and I like this job. I can’t lose it.”

“Who’s the owner?”

“Brenda Phillips.”

“I know her. She won’t mind if we eat something.”

“Of course you know her,” Lyric mumbled. Mr. Do Good knew everyone in town.

He sat up straighter. “Why don’t we call her and tell her what’s going on?”

Lyric rubbed her hands up and down her arms as she considered. The news would probably be better received coming from him. “Okay.”

Asa found the number in his contacts and made the call. Apparently, he knew Brenda well enough to have her number.

“Hey, Brenda. It’s Asa.” He gave Lyric a thumbs up. “I had a wreck tonight right outside one of your rental cabins. I’m here with Lyric. Actually, she’s the one who rescued me.”

Lyric groaned and went to check on the clothes. Rescued was a bit of an exaggeration. He wouldn’t be singing her praises when he realized who she was.

5

ASA

“Oh, goodness. Are you okay?” Brenda asked, her raspy voice hitting a pitch Asa hadn’t heard from her before.

Brenda’s personality was bigger than her rental cabin, but Asa had his eyes on the brunette heading out of the room.

“I am. Lyric has taken good care of me.”

“Bless that girl. She’s a doll.”

Asa was beginning to think so too. A bit high-strung but definitely kind. “Listen, since we’re stranded here for a little bit, would you mind if we helped ourselves to some of the food?”

“Good gracious, no. Have whatever you like. Lyric knows where everything is.”

“Thanks. Any renters trying to come in tomorrow that we need to know about?”

“No, no. I had the place booked through theweekend, but they emailed earlier to cancel. They can’t get a flight into Wyoming in this weather. It’s a disaster out there.”

“Sorry about the cancellation.” He didn’t want to wish for Brenda’s business to suffer, but he was glad they wouldn’t be rushed to get out of here. The storm was still raging outside.

Brenda tsked. “God controls the weather. It’s all in His plan.”

Lyric walked back into the room, drawing Asa’s attention.

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