Page 49 of Colton’s Inferno

Her eyes began to adjust. The chair and table were darker forms against the night. Rising, she walked carefully to where Aiden stood by the window. Heat from his body radiated toward her. Pressing her hands to her side, she fought the urge to touch him.

The streetlights were dark. The stores were filled with gloom. A single car drove down the street. The headlights’ beams shone through the sheets of rain.

“Any idea when this is supposed to let up?” she asked.

“I can find out.” Aiden pulled a phone from his pocket and hit the home button. The screen winked to life and shone on him from below. The light accentuated the angles and planes of his face, and her mouth went dry. God, he was handsome.

He shook his head. “It looks like the thunderstorm is going to last a while.”

“What’s a while?” she asked.

“Another hour. Maybe more.” He put the phone back into his pocket, plunging the room in darkness. “But according to the weather app, the rain will stick around all night.”

She shouldn’t have taken her grandfather’s car. The truck was good in any weather. “Maybe if I leave now,” she said, thinking out loud, “and drive slow, it’ll be okay.”

“You can stay here.” He turned from the window to face her. His features were lost in shadow. “At least until the storm lets up.”

“I should text Grandpa Rusty. Tell him that I’ll be late. Otherwise, he’ll worry.”

“Do it now,” he suggested. “There’s no way to recharge your phone if your power runs out.”

Lucy stepped away from the window and pulled her phone from her pocket. She opened her texting app as Aiden brushed past her.

In town. Stuck because of the storm. Will leave when safe. Don’t wait up.

She hit Send and the message left her phone with a whoosh.

Her grandfather replied immediately.

Are you sure that you’re okay?

She responded.

Positive. I just don’t want to drive in the rain.

She sent a second message.

How’s everything at the ranch?

He texted her back, answering her last message first.

Rainy and windy here.

And then, he sent another text.

Be safe. I’ll see you in the morning.

From the kitchen came the sound of cabinets opening and closing.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“I’m looking for candles or something,” he called back.

Lucy turned her gaze back to the window. The street was still dark. The rain still fell. The wind still blew. There was a clang as a gust knocked over a garbage can. Pushed by the gale, the receptacle tumbled down the street.

Aiden emerged from the kitchen, holding two jar candles, one in each hand. He was surrounded in a golden glow. He set one candle on the table under the TV. “Sorry I don’t have anything normal. These were both from Matilda. She’s my youngest sister. I’m not sure what she was thinking giving me scented candles.”

The faint smell of sugar cookies filled the apartment. “Your sister got you cookie-scented candles?”