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Teddy sneezed twice.
The stench of rotting teeth and mothballs permeated the cabin. My eyes began to itch, and I coughed as my fingers found the matches.
Lightning splintered in a white-hot flash outside the window, momentarily lighting the kitchen.
A shadow stirred before the room went dark.
Did I imagine that? The frigid darkness enveloped me, and I struck a match. My numb fingertips fumbled from one drawer to the next until finally, I connected with a candle.
A low growl began in the back of Teddy’s throat as a shadow crossed the room, and a freezing gust blew out the match.
Yelping, I tried to light another with trembling fingers. Despite my shaking hands, the flame finally took hold, and the candle’s faint glow showed my breath’s condensation.
A transparent silhouette emerged. Barely visible, it lifted a gauzy veil, revealing a scarred, wizened face, then glided across the cabin and through the bolted door.
Teddy lurched at the exit, barking and scratching.
Was that my imagination? No, Teddy saw it, too… My heart pounding, I tilted the candle over a saucer, then secured it in the melted wax. I searched the cabin in the scant light but found nothing odd, and embarrassed, I laughed at my fears. “Teddy, we’re jumping at our own shadows.”
The cell phone rang, and I flinched. Luke! “I’m so glad you called.”
“You are?” The warmth came through Cody’s voice. “Then I’m glad I followed my hunch.”
“What?”
“Gut instinct…something told me to call you.” His friendly tone changed to one of concern. “Are you all right?”
Though uncomfortable speaking with my ex, I was glad for the company. “It’s storming here. The lights went out, and I’m just a little jumpy.” I squinted. “But what do you mean ‘something’ told you to call me?”
“I don’t know. Call it intuition…a sixth sense. Something made me pick up the phone.”
After Luke’s rejection, the idea of anyone caring enough to call eased the ache. I took a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh.
“Okay, spill it.”
“What?”
“I recognize that groan. What’s wrong?”
Where do I start? “To begin with, the vineyard’s infested with leafhoppers, but because it’s raining, we can’t spray the pesticide. Worse, a hailstorm damaged the vines, which leaves them even more susceptible to Pierce’s Disease. I’m worried the crop will fail.” A lump caught in my throat.
“I’m sorry about the weather and hope the vines survive, but that’s not what’s troubling you, is it?”
Sitting at the table, I fought back tears. “Can’t fool you, can I?”
“Hey, we’ve been through a lot together. I know when something’s wrong.” His smile came through the phone line. “What’s really bothering you?”
It’s true. He knows me better than anyone—even Luke. Lapsing into familiar patterns, I summarized the fight and cancelled wedding. “Then just before you called, the storm knocked out the electricity, and I saw…I thought I saw…” I shook my head. “My imagination took off.” Talking about my fears lessened their grip, and I chuckled. “You probably think I’m crazy, but thanks for listening.”
“Hey, I’m happy to be your sounding board—or shoulder to cry on—whatever you need.”
I blinked. Was he always this considerate? No… “You’ve changed.”
“I’m sober.” His laugh was dry. “That’s the difference. Besides, my sponsor says helping others helps me stay sober, so anytime you need to talk, call me. You’ve got my new number. I’m always here for you—just a phone call away.”
The rain beat a steady patter against the windows, lending a somber backdrop as I hung up. More confused now than before, I glanced about the cabin’s gloomy interior. One candle doesn’t shed much light…either in here or on the situation. I twisted my engagement around my finger, studying it in the candlelight.
The door squeaked open, and I jumped.
