Whisper In The Wind

She gave him a short sweet kiss and promised to see him tomorrow. Halfway to town, the torrential rains started. It pounded the car like hail. Lightning flashed so bright it momentarily blinded her. White knuckles gripped the steering wheel while the car slowed to less than twenty-five miles per hour. Visibility was near zero. "So much is happening like the past. You brought Garrett into my life. Don't let me leave him like my parents left me."

The narrow road with ditches on both sides gave her no chance to turn around. "Calm, slow breaths," she reminded herself and she pushed forward at a steady slow speed. Each crack of thunder startled her and she stomped on the brakes. "Calm down, Caitlin. You're almost home."

With the next flash of lightning she saw someone standing in the middle of the road. "Who's that?" The person never moved and as she neared, she slammed on the brakes. Hitting a patch of water, the car hydroplaned and went into the ditch. She bumped her head on the steering wheel and knocked herself unconscious.

When she awoke, her vision was blurry but she made out a male figure in a dark room. The musty smell made her gag. A hand touched her forehead and she moaned. Her head throbbed with each sound and thought. "Why are you here?" she muttered.

"To take care of you."

"I'm at the Junction?" she asked, sitting up. The room spun forcing her back against the pillow. Her hand found the bump on her forehead. "What happened?"

"I hoped you had the answer. You were in the ditch."

Pictures flashed in her mind of rain, thunder, and shadows. "That's right. I slammed on the brakes and skidded out of control."

"Why?"

"Someone was standing in the road." She sat up and looked Scott in the eyes. "Who was it?"

He jumped off the bed and paced. When his fist pounded the wall, Caitlin balked. "Damn him," Scott yelled, turning around, his face red and veins protruding from his neck.

She forced herself out of bed and stumbled towards him. When she touched his arm, the anger and hostility shocked her. "Should I fear you?"

"No." He tried to smile, but she saw through the charade. "Listen, I came back because I had to see you. Hold off on your plans at the ranch."

"I can't. The crew is working." "Tell them to stop," he said, now gripping her arms. She buckled under the pressure and he released her. He stared into her eyes and quickly shook it off. "Where are you staying?"