Page 22 of Love in the Storm

He answered without checking the caller ID. “Hello.”

“Hey. Did I wake you?” Brenda asked.

Asa rubbed his eyes and sat up straighter. “Yeah, but it’s fine. What can I do for you?”

“Is the power out at the cabin?” she asked.

“Yeah. Just for a few hours.”

“There’s a generator on the concrete pad out back if you need it. It should have gas.”

Asa stood and began pacing, trying to force his body to wake up from the peaceful sleep that wanted to pull him back in. “Thanks. I’ll go get it soon.”

“Sorry I woke you. Is Lyric okay too?” Brenda asked.

Lyric sat up on the couch, watching him like a hawk. The dim morning light cast an ethereal glow around her.

“She’s fine.”

“Good. You take care of her.”

Of all the things that had happened last night, taking care of Lyric was the least expected. “I will.”

“Good. Call me if you need me.”

“Thanks. Talk to you later.” Asa disconnected the call and looked at Lyric.

“Well?” she asked.

“Brenda said there’s a generator out back.”

“Do you know how to use it? Because I don’t.”

Asa stretched his arms above his head. “I got it covered.”

Lyric jumped up from her seat. “I’ll go get it.”

“Wait. We don’t need it right this second. We have the gas fireplace. We can turn it on later to make sure the food in the fridge and freezer don’t ruin.”

“Okay, I’ll be right back.”

When she disappeared down the hallway, Asa dumped the cold coffee out of his cup and rinsed it in the sink. There wouldn’t be any more unless he hooked the generator to the coffee maker.

Less than a minute later, Lyric jogged out of the hallway and to the back door. She was wearing jeansand a sweater now, and when she grabbed her coat and started putting it on, Asa put the carafe in the sink.

“Where are you going?”

“To get the generator,” she said as she slipped on a boot.

Asa sprinted for the door and put a hand on the knob. “Lyric, stop and listen. We don’t need it yet.”

“But we will,” she said as she slipped her other foot into a boot.

Asa sighed. “If you’re determined to go right now, let me get my coat and shoes on.”

Lyric opened the door. “You don’t have to.”

“Wait,” Asa said, but she was already out the door. He sighed and slipped on his boots. “Crazy woman.”

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