Room for Murder - Tim Myers [68]
So she’d thought their shared kiss was a mistake. Normally Alex would have been shattered by the revelation, by the rejection.
But this time it was different.
No matter how much she protested, Alex knew that Elise had been as moved by the kiss as he’d been.
And hope sparked in his heart again.
Chapter 20
“We’re looking for Grady Hatch. Has he been out here?” Conner Shook asked as he burst into the inn.
Alex was stunned to see Tracy following just behind her ex-husband.
He said, “He’s sleeping one off in his camper. What’s the emergency?”
Tracy said, “Let me handle this, Conner. Alex, we need him to step in and take over this election. The board is making a real mess of it.”
Conner added, “If Shantara would keep her mouth shut and let them finish one count without butting in, we’d have been done last night.”
“She’s looking out for my best interests, Conner. I’ve got the same complaint with Gladys Rhine.”
“Hey, she’s making sure you don’t slip in the back door of the mayor’s office,” Conner protested.
Alex said, “Listen, I don’t need to hear this. Go talk to Grady.”
They both left, heading out for the motor home where the mayor was about to get a rude awakening.
One minute after they left, the rain started abruptly pounding down in sudden fierce waves of monstrous drops. There was no drizzle beforehand, no warning that such violence was imminent. At least it had waited until all the guests were gone, Alex mused, as he watched the fierce attack of the deluge.
Elise came downstairs, back in blue jeans and a polo shirt, her hair pulled into its traditional ponytail. She still looked lovely to him.
“Wow, that’s an incredible storm,” she said as she looked out the window. “You can barely see the lighthouse from here.”
It was true. Alex couldn’t remember seeing such a hard rain in all his years at Hatteras West.
Elise said, “I’m going to turn on the radio and see if there’s anything on the news about it.”
As she switched on the radio that was sitting on an end table, they heard, “... shelter. To repeat, Hurricane Zelda is heading straight for Elkton Falls. Those without basements are advised to head to the high school bomb shelter. Folks, this one’s going to be a direct hit. Charlotte got skirted, but Hickory was slammed full on. Now she’s coming our way, fast and mean. To repeat, Hurricane Zelda ...” Elise turned the volume down.
“Mor and Emma are on the road, and they’re driving right into a hurricane.”
Alex said, “Chances are they’re already in Charlotte. I’ve never been happier that the inn is empty. If this thing had hit yesterday or tomorrow, we’d have real problems on our hands.”
Elise said, “Alex, you don’t have a basement here. Should we head over to the high school?”
Alex shook his head. “We’re safer in the lighthouse, Elise. Think about it. Both Hatteras lighthouses, east and west, were designed to withstand this kind of punishing weather. If you’d feel better going to the high school, I guess I could go with you,” he added.
“No, you’re right. I’d feel safer at the lighthouse with you. Alex, we should get over there right now with some supplies.”
“That might not be such a bad idea.” They worked together again as a team, gathering plastic bins with flashlights, food, and blankets, drawing water for later and battening down the inn as much as they could. He was glad he’d insisted on working storm shutters when they’d rebuilt the Dual Keepers’ Quarters. He felt a lot more secure being able to cover the windows. Alex finished pulling the chairs in from the porch and was soaked to the bone by the time he got everything inside. Grady, Conner, and Tracy were already there waiting for him.
Alex took the towel Elise offered and he started drying his hair. “We’re going to ride this out in the lighthouse,” he told them. “You’re welcome to join us.”
Conner said, “Do we have any choice? It’s getting dangerous out there.”
Alex said, “Just let me change, then we’ll head over.”
Conner said, “Come when you’re ready, but I’m going right now.” He picked up a bin and headed