Page 13 of Love in the Storm

“Sorry, boss. I just had a wreck in the storm, and I’m stuck out on North Bend Road.”

“You okay?”

“Banged up a bit, but I’ll be okay.”

“Someone on their way to help you?”

“There are other emergencies that need to be taken care of first. A woman in a cabin helped me inside and bandaged me up.”

“That’s good news. I guess I’ll call the next number on the list. You take care and call if you need help.”

“I will, sir. Sorry I can’t make it in.”

“Understood. Talk to you later.”

Asa cradled the phone in his hands. Being stuck was one thing, but being unable to help the people who depended on him was another.

“Everything okay?” Lyric asked as she placed the sandwich in front of him. Her dark hair was drying into waves, and color was filling her face. She kept looking away from him, but he was having a hard time tearing his gaze from her. It was almost impossible to ignore the beautiful woman in the room.

Asa put his phone on the counter beside the plate and nodded. “I got called into work.”

“And you’re upset because you can’t make it?”

“Yeah. I know how bad things can get sometimes, and I hate leaving others to deal with it.”

Lyric stood across the bar and picked up the sandwich in front of her. “It sounds like you really want to help.”

“I do.” He picked up his own sandwich and hesitated before biting into it. “Is there anyone you need to call?”

Lyric looked at him. “Like who?”

“Family. Is there someone who’s going to be worried about you tonight?” He hadn’t even thought to ask before now. He’d been worried about his own check-ins. She might have a husband and kids at home who were worried about her.

She took another bite of her sandwich and kept her chin down. “Nope.”

He found it hard to believe she didn’t have anyone she needed to check in with.

“You can use my phone whenever you need to.”

Lyric shook her head. “You should try to make that battery last as long as possible. It’s the only lifeline we have.”

“I have a charger in the truck. I’ll go get it in the morning if we need it.”

She didn’t seem convinced. Instead, she avoided looking at him as she ate, and Asa took the chance to study her. Her fingernail tapped a quick beat on the countertop, and her gaze darted from one thing to another.

Was she nervous, or was she scared?

“Lyric?”

She startled at her name. Jerking her chin up to reveal wide eyes. “I think I should check on your clothes.” She left the room in a rush, not even giving him a chance to ask his question.

Asa scarfed down the rest of the sandwich and tried not to think too much about what had Lyric so worked up. His phone buzzed with a text message.

Mom: I haven’t heard from you in a while. Just checking in.

Instead of texting, he called her. Between the headache, getting bandaged, and eating, he hadn’t had a chance to check in.

“Hey.” His mother’s voice was tired with a hint of concern.

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