Page 77 of Mr. July

The engine struggled as he pressed the throttle down. I held the dogs tight, my head bent to avoid the whipping wind. Time felt like it was moving as fast as the current. Chase cut the engine, dove overboard with a line, tied it around a thick column. He took off his shirt wrapped it around his elbow, with a few quick jabs he had broken the glass window enough to unlock the front door. It was a huge brick mansion, the kind you’d see on an old southern plantation. “It’s an old historical society building. My Nana brought me and Charlie here one summer. It’s four stories with a walk-up attic. There’s a light house and widow’s peak on the roof.”

Water was four feet high inside the first floor. We helped the dogs climb the stairs. “We’re at least a few miles inland, we should be okay here after the eye passes.

We found a cozy study on the third floor. Chase lit a fire while I found what supplies I could. “You came for me. You saved my life.”

“Come here, get warm.” We both stripped, wrapped a dusty blanket I had found in one of the rooms around us, and sat side-by side.

I was exhausted, cold, and still frightened by my close call with death. I leaned my head on his shoulder. Chase wasn’t just some calendar guy, or the hot-shot attorney or even the charming man I had gotten to know.

He was a rock.

My rock.

My shelter in the storm.

Literally.

A man who came for me despite all odds. A man who was dependable, courageous, all the things good in a soul. I loved him. I was in love with him. My barriers came down, the ones I didn’t even know I had erected. I clung to him. Kissed his cheek.

As the hurricane raged, I knew he’d keep us safe. He kept the fire going. Comforted the dogs. I rested my chin on my knees. “I love you.”

Our eyes caught as he knelt in front of a tired pup. “I loved you first.”

“I said it first,” I challenged.

He smiled. “Even in all this we’re still the same.”

“We are. Chase Carmichael there’s no other person I’d rather go through this with.”

“I’d rescue you a thousand times. I always will.”

We kissed, snuggled close, somehow slept. When dawn came, the hurricane was gone leaving a wake of ruins behind. But hope still remained.

“Your house…”

“Is just a house. Home is where you are.”

“I’m sorry. It was beautiful. Special.”

“I’ll build it back better, with you. I have insurance and a dream. We’ll make it higher, raise all the mechanicals. Add another bedroom.”

“Everyone must be frantic over us.”

“I was so intent on getting us safe, I never bothered with my cell. It’s in Hunter’s truck. But his truck probably washed away.”

“Where am I going to live?”

“It’ll take Duke some time to rebuild the satellite campus. You can stay with me and Daisy in the city while we sort everything out. Your fall semester might be remote or moved to Chapel Hill.”

“I’ll contact Dr. Winnfield when I can. She took the research vessel up to port in Maryland before the storm.”

“I know we started out all fireworks and starry nights. But what I feel for you is the eternal flame. It burns hot, steady, and true. I want you to know that.”

“I do.”

“Those two words sound good to me.”

He wrapped his arms around me as we surveyed the damage from the widow’s peak. The storm surge had already receded, somehow the boat stayed tied. “Can we go back to the shelter and check on the cats?”

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