Page 48 of Hard Rain Coming

“In this?” Alarmed, she got up, the blanket forgotten as she faced him.

Dallas was quiet for a few moments and then stepped forward. She stilled as he reached for a piece of hair that had fallen across her cheek. Carefully, he tucked it behind her ear.

“I have animals that need me.”

“But it’s awful out there. The snow is too deep, and the ice is dangerous.”

“You worried about me, Duchess?”

She made a face. “I wish you wouldn’t call me that.”

“It feels right.” His voice was full of rasp, and her insides melted, right there where the sadness lived. It was big and, at times, overwhelming. But that was the thing about sadness. It was a lament for lost things that were never forgotten.

“That was a long time ago,” she whispered, thinking of a starry night, the Founder’s Cabin, and a little wood carving of a unicorn.

“Yeah.” Dallas slowly nodded. “But it still feels right.” He stepped back and began searching for his clothes, tossed every which way the night before. He pulled on socks, his shirt, and then boots, his jacket, and a wool hat. Once he was fully dressed, Dallas turned to her.

“I’m get to the main house and grab a sled. Get dressed, and I’ll take you back to the house before I head up the mountain. You shouldn’t be here alone in case the power goes.”

“There’s a generator,” she pointed out.

“It hasn’t worked in years. My fault. I should have looked after it before I moved out.”

“So I guess I’m not staying here.”

“Give me an hour or so, and dress warm.”

“It’s nasty out there, Dal. Be careful.”

He regarded her for a few moments, and her heart turned over at the look in his eyes, then reached for the door. “I’ve been out in worse.”

He disappeared into the swirling snow and ice, and she watched from the window until the treeline obscured him. It was nearly six a.m. by now, and, after checking the weather online, Vivian realized it would be a nasty for at least another twenty-four hours or more in this part of Montana. She jumped in the shower while hot water was still available, then dried her hair and got dressed. She pulled on tights, then jeans, heavy socks, and a tank top underneath a sweater. Her snow pants were downstairs. She’d taken exactly one step down when the lights flickered and went out.

“Crap,” she muttered, heading toward the living room. She got her boots and winter gear ready by the door and, with nothing to do but wait, perched her butt on the sofa and stared out the window. It was definitely lighter now, but with no signal for her cell phone, she had no idea of the time.

How long had Dallas been gone? Thirty minutes? An hour? With the wind moaning, she did her best to keep her fear at bay. It wasn’t uncommon for folks to go missing in a storm like this, no matter how experienced. Out there, it was easy to become disoriented and lost.

“Come on,” she muttered nervously as she began pacing the room.

Vivian had worked herself up into quite a state, so by the time she heard a noise at the door, she was losing her mind. She yanked it open, and it took everything in her not to throw herself at him.

“You’re back,” she said breathlessly, moving aside so that he could enter. Every inch of him was covered in snow gear, save for his eyes, and she focused on them as if they were a lifeline.

“I am,” he replied. “Get dressed and we’ll go.”

She pulled on her snow pants and coat, then grabbed her hat and plopped that on her head before slipping into her boots. Once she had Lily tucked inside her jacket, she looked up. “Okay. I’m ready.”

Dallas reached for a scarf on the hook, and she held her breath as he slowly wrapped it around her neck, then pulled it up over her face. A heartbeat passed. Or two. Then his warm voice washed over her.

“Now you’re ready.”

Vivian was lightheaded and her stomach was off, but she wasn’t sure if it was because she needed food or because an idea was blooming, one she was finding hard to ignore.

“This storm,” she managed to say through dry lips, “it’s supposed to last another twenty-four to forty-eight hours.”

Dallas nodded. “That’s what they’re saying. Instead of the tail end of the system, we’re dealing with the brunt of it.”

“Take me with you.” The words tumbled out of her. “To your place. I can help with the animals, and I…” She lowered her lashes and stared at the floor, mentally giving herself shit for sounding so damn desperate.