Page 194 of One More Kiss

Chapter6

Johnny

Holy shit.

The woman that haunted my dreams all night was standing on the other side of the door…holding a knife. And she didn’t look pleased to see me, but I couldn’t help the smirk on my face.

“You own this cabin?” she asked through the door. Just as sassy as last night with one hand on her hip, the other waving the knife around.

“I do. I would ask ya to open the door but you’re brandishing a deadly weapon, so maybe it’s safer out here.”

She rolled her eyes and unlocked the door then walked away but was back in just seconds. “May I ask what it is you need? I paid for the cabin already and I haven’t broken any rules.”

“No broken rules, but I tried to email CJ twice.”

“I didn’t get any emails. But what do you need?”

“You’re CJ?” Well so much for it being a man. “You need to head home. They’re gonna start blocking off the roads soon because they’re predicting some flooding. And that’s even worse up here on the side of the mountain.”

She rolled her eyes again and waved me inside but walked away, arms crossed over her chest. I closed the door behind me, and she turned, those green eyes fiery.

“Look, I appreciate the concern, really,” her voice was high, but her face showed she was forcing the cheerful tone, “but I had to take time off work and already paid to be here. Unless there’s a mandatory evacuation, I will be staying. So, if there’s nothing else—” she waved her hand to the front door.

I stepped closer and she stepped back but ran into the chair. Trying to reason with her, I continued. “Listen, I’m sorry about yesterday, truly, but you need to get going. I can refund you for the next two nights. But this is my place and I’m asking you to head out.”

She chuckled, crossing her arms again. “I’m fairly certain there’s some sort of law against kicking me out.” She sure was cute when she was mad. She held her chin up high and her brows shot up. She was clearly trying to look in charge, but her lip trembled just enough for me to notice.

“Ma’am, it is not safe to stay. If something happens it could be days before anyone could get to you.”

“Well, I have supplies and I work from home so, as long as the Wi-Fi works, I’ll be fine. I assume you have a generator here?”

“Well, yes, I—”

“Great, I can handle it then and I have a phone. If I find myself in an emergency, I will call 911. Now, I have a deadline and don’t want you to get stuck so again, thank you for your concern.” She walked to me and grabbed my arm to guide me outside. “I really appreciate it. The cabin is lovely by the way. Have a safe drive.”

She opened the door, but I turned again, hands on my hips. “Ma’am, CJ, listen to me—” then my phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket. Danny. I’d call him back. “CJ I—” Danny again. “Shit, this is my son, give me just a minute.” I stood in the doorway and took the call.

“Hey, son, I’m at the cabin. I’ll be up in a few. What’s up?”

“Dad! The road! I was taking a break and called Uncle Bo and he told me a Trooper just came in and said the roads up here were being washed away. I took the four-wheeler, and a section is gone. I can’t get down, so you can’t get up.”

“Shit, are you sure? Are you okay? Where are you now?” My heart was racing. I glanced over and CJ’s brows were furrowed, and she made no secret she was watching me and trying to listen.

“I made it back to the house but there’s a log down over the trail, too.”

“Well, don’t you get that chainsaw out, you hear me? It’s not safe to handle that alone. Just stay inside and stay put. I have to deal with this but call Bo and tell him to keep us posted.”

“Okay, but what are you gonna do?”

“I may go and see how the road is below here and go from there. I love you. I’ll call you back.”

“I love you, Dad. Be careful.”

I ended the call and put the phone back in my pocket. “You stay put. I need to go check the damn road.”

“Wait, what’s happening?” she asked as she followed me onto the porch.

I bounded down to the sidewalk without hitting any of the steps and jogged to the truck. I opened the door and leaned around it then yelled back up, “My son is trapped, and we may be, too. Go back inside.”

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