Chapter 4: Part 4

Sam tossed the line onto the dock and jumped ashore. His knees almost gave out as the dock stayed solid. He adjusted for lack of roll and bent to tie the boat. The sky was dark, but this wasn't a hurricane. Anchoring here at the dock should be safe. The boat wouldn't suffer unless the winds went beyond hurricane force, and no one had even mentioned the word hurricane when talking about the storm.



The house sat up on a hill, stately yet beautiful and partially hidden from view. The island had done its job of obscuring most of the building from prying eyes. He wondered how many people lived here. Not once during his sailing adventures had he stopped at one of the private islands with a house. He knew how he would feel if someone invaded his sanctuary, but he didn't want to ride this storm out, not tonight.



Cautiously he made his way up to the house, calling out every few minutes to alert the homeowners. There were about fifteen more steps until he reached the patio and he still hadn't seen a single person.



"Hello, is anyone there?"



The place didn't look abandoned, nor did it look boarded up for the season. Houses that weren't occupied sometimes were ransacked, this place looked clean but lived in.



"Hello, I just need to take refuge here during the storm." Samuel moved towards the patio. God, this was awful. If he scared the owner they might shoot him. He should go back to his ship, anchor out in the small cove and sweat this one out.



He turned to leave, marching around a thick set of bushes. He looked up and ran smack into a lovely blond. She bounced off his chest. He grabbed her arm just in time so she didn't fall to the ground.



"What...Who..Get off my island."



"Are you okay?" Samuel pulled her close without thinking about any ramifications. He should keep his distance, but damn, he didn't want to.



"No, now let go of me." She pulled her arm away from his grasp. "What kind of idiot are you. Who sent you?"



"There's a storm. I'd like to take refuge while it blows through."



"No, now leave."



Samuel stepped back, unsure how to proceed. Usually he got his way. Being turned down was new to him. In his past life he would throw his name around to make people do what he asked but he doubted his name would mean much out here.



For some strange reason being rejected out of hand made him feel angry. For a moment he wanted to tell her exactly what she was going to do, and how she would let him stay. His animal instinct to dominate took over. Maybe it was her beauty or the throbbing ache building at the back of his head, but damn it, he wanted to pull her close, forcing her to listen to him. Where the hell had this crazy reaction come from? He shook it off, disgusted with his actions.



"I'm sorry if I've frightened you. I'll leave now."



He turned and stalked back towards the cove. Showing up unannounced had been stupid. The poor woman was probably scared to death. With his right hand he reached up and touched his thick brown stubble. Oh goodness, he probably looked like a crazy killer, ready to molest.



A round of thunder rolled across the island, the woman yelped when thunder cracked overhead as lightning struck nearby. The crackle of electricity made his hair stand up and shivers rolled down his back.



"Wait." Her voice was sharp and desperate.



Samuel turned around slowly, wondering what now.



"Listen, I'm sorry. The storm is bad. It's just I...I was surprised. Who are you with?"



"No one. I'm alone."



"No, what paper?"



"Paper?"



"Yeah, you know takey picture sell to the highest bidder."



"I'm not with any paper."



"So you work alone. Where's your camera?"



"No camera. I'll go out a ways and anchor. I should be fine."



He turned and started back down to the cove. The slap of her sandals on the faded blacktop drew close. He turned to find her next to him.



"Please don't go. I'm sorry. I just..."



"I don't blame you. I look like a creep."



"It's not just that..."



Samuel stepped back and took in the sight of the woman. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes wide. Her dirty blond hair was pulled into a ponytail. The flimsy robe she was using as a cover-up didn't do much to cover her up. Her bikini wasn't skimpy, just alluring. She was beautiful, but scared.



"I'm sorry I scared you. I should have thought about what kind of impression I would make. How about we start over."



"Sure, as long as you're not some half crazed maniac."



"Well my friends think I'm crazy for living on my sailboat, but other than living alone for a while, I'm mostly sane."



She looked him up and down, her face trying to remain impassive but her emotions were revealed plain as day. The fright showed in her eyes and the slight wrinkle on her forehead, but she wouldn't force him to leave. Her gaze traveled to the rolling waves in the open ocean. The storm was doing a number on the ocean, as whitecaps could be seen dotting the sea in the last light of day.



Every second she waited, his odds of staying on the island improved. Finally she sighed.



"That's good enough for me. My name is Delanie."



"I'm Samuel. You can call me Sam."



The wind picked up and blew a few palm fronds from the trees. Lightning struck again. She jumped towards him and chuckled nervously.



Warmth spread from his arm where she touched him all the way to his toes. She was just the type of girl he liked. Totally unaware of who he was and unimpressed with him as well. "I think we need to get in out of this storm."

Copyright Sara Thacker 2011