"I thought they were all on the mainland."
During every hurricane for the past five years, the island had been completely evacuated, except for the police. And him. Richard couldn't stand by and watch them suffer when he was on safe ground. From his pocket, he pulled the two-way radio he'd been using to keep in contact with Dewey and told him the situation.
"Get your truck. Does that police radio you keep still work?"
"Yeah, and I've been listening to the scanner. Old Mrs. Demmer's place is under two feet of water and it's creeping up Magnolia Street." Dewey's voice scraped over the radio.
"Then we have to move fast. Radio the deputy."
"I hear you. I'll get them up here."
Richard pocketed the small radio and motioned to Laura. "Come on. We need to find blankets and pillows." He turned out of the room and headed downstairs. "Medical supplies. Make some coffee, I guess." He paused on the staircase, looking back at her. "Do we have enough food to last a couple days?"
"Yes, and I can make it stretch."
"Good. I have no idea how many are stranded down there." He continued down the stairs. "I feel like an idiot for not thinking of it."
"You didn't have any reason to. We thought everyone was gone but us."
"This is going to be a hairy couple of nights."
"Heck, darlin', you haven't seen hairy till you've tried to keep a goat happy in your kitchen and from eating your momma's good tablecloths." She darted past him, heading to the kitchen.
He laughed softly. "Goats, Laura?" He tsked softly. "What would the pageant people think of that?"
"They'd probably take my crowns." She paused and turned back, cupping his cheek and kissing his chiseled mouth. "Now ask me if I care?"
He smiled, patted her behind, and she gave him a saucy look before rushing into the kitchen and flipping on the lights. "Blankets and pillows are in the upstairs first closet. Take the ones out of my bedroom, too. I saw four in the closet in there." She'd rearranged everything, so he'd be hunting all night for them. "I think there are two afghans in the chest in the library, and I bet if we look hard," she said, "we can hustle up a half dozen more."
As she spoke, she put on a fresh pot of coffee, got out some thermoses and started making sandwiches.
Richard went to look for candles and lanterns as well. He didn't have the heart to tell her that when it came to being with these people, she was on her own.
* * *
Laura poured coffee, glancing at Lisa Tolar, a lovely young woman who'd come here with her new husband for their honeymoon. Rotten timing, she thought. At least they'll have something interesting to tell their children. Lisa pitched in quickly, and her husband, a marine from Beaufort, was just as helpful, pouring coffee and drinks, working the VCR and keeping everyone calm. A trivia game helped pass the time and ease the unfamiliarity between the stranded. On the floor with Kelly was only one other child. Christopher Austin, a darling little redheaded boy with Irish written in his pale eyes and freckles. His parents sat a few feet away as the children colored. There were three others, including the two police officers, Andrew and Mark, and they went out together to check on things periodically. But there was nothing to check on. The island was empty except for all the people in the Blackthorne house.
And everyone was in the living room, dining room and kitchen.
Except for Richard.
This was his chance, she thought. He'd opened his home to them, surely they wouldn't ridicule him? Not in front of Kelly. No one could be that heartless.
It was ticking her off the longer he stayed away. And that he hadn't told her he was going to remain hidden.
"Where is Mr. Blackthorne?" the police officer, Mark Lindsey, asked.
Laura shrugged. "Somewhere in the house, I suspect."
"Have you seen him?"
"Of course."
"What's he look like?"
Kelly looked up, glancing between the young policeman and Laura.
"Handsome, tall." Laura crossed to Mark and filled his cup. "Try not to be so crass, Officer Lindsey. He's just a man. A man, I might add, who has opened his home to you and everyone else here."
He blushed and sipped his coffee.
Just then Kelly put down her crayons and stood, walking into the wide hall, then to the staircase.
Laura heard her voice, then Richard's deep murmur. Kelly came rushing back in and stopped short.
"Here he is." She looked back over her shoulder and motioned.
Richard did not appear.
Kelly marched back into the shadows, and a few moments later, she came forward, her hand clasped in Richard's as she led him into the light. "This is my daddy."
Richard gazed down at his little girl, so touched by her gesture, the back of his throat burned. With a deep breath, he stepped forward and tipped his head back, giving them a look at the beast.