5. Chapter 4
Shane
Rain battered the windshield so hard the wipers struggled to keep up, swishing back and forth in a frantic rhythm.
Every few seconds, lightning lit up the dark road ahead before plunging them back into thick gray fog.
Shane tightened his grip on the steering wheel, determined to make her understand why he needed to leave.
Marissa sat mute beside him, the pads of her fingers tapping against her thighs as she stared straight ahead.
She had no idea how difficult it was for him to stay away.
He’d done it for her—for them. If he hadn’t left when he did, he would have destroyed her.
Yet somehow, having her only inches away from him felt more dangerous than any bottle he’d ever reached for.
The scent of rain and vanilla drifted toward him. He inhaled deeply, luxuriating in its familiarity, and peered over his shoulder. After all these years, her beauty still stole his breath. He swallowed hard and fixed his eyes back on the road.
“Since when did you start driving like an old man?” Marissa finally asked.
One corner of his mouth twitched. “When I started transporting precious cargo.”
Her surprised laugh sounded like a melody. “Good answer. I remember you teasing me because I refused to drive over the speed limit.”
“I forgot about that.” Shane chuckled. “Glad you didn’t listen. Speeding tickets are a waste of money.”
Marissa tugged on the heavy fabric across her chest. “Looks like you changed your mind about seat belts being optional.”
“Indeed,” Shane said, the lighthearted banter warming him. Marissa’s quick wit always enamored him. He’d missed it. In fact, he’d missed everything about her.
Silence settled again. Not as uncomfortable this time. Just fragile.
“There is a chocolate-peanut butter protein bar in the console. You should eat it,” Shane suggested, breaking the silence.
Marissa opened the console. “You still carry snacks?”
“You never know when they might come in handy.” He’d never stopped, having gotten into the habit after one particularly frightful bout with Marissa’s hypoglycemia.
“True.” She pulled the bar out, turning it over in her hands. “These were always among my favorites.”
“Mine too,” he said.
Marissa ripped open the wrapper, shoving it down to take a bite. “I only forgot to eat when I was busy.”
He looked at her then. “No, Marissa. You forgot all the time,” Shane corrected. “Scared the hell out of me the night I had to call the ambulance. Sweat was pouring down your face. You were shaking, and your speech was slurred. It was the worst night of my life.”
He didn’t need to look at her to know she was staring at him. He could feel the heat of her gaze as he recalled that night. “I remember everything.”
Suddenly, a flash of blue lights glowed in the rain. Shane slowed the truck as they approached several orange barricades stretched across the road while muddy water rushed over the pavement beyond. A Rhode Island State Trooper motioned for him to stop.
Shane rolled down the window. Mist immediately blew inside. “Evening.”
“Road’s closed,” the trooper said.
Marissa shifted in her seat. “What happened?”
“That oak came down across both lanes.” The officer pointed at the oversized tree. “It took out the power lines with it.”
“Any idea how long before the road opens?” Marissa asked, her voice filled with apprehension.
“Could be hours.” The trooper adjusted the brim of his hat as if that would shield him from the onslaught of swirling rain. “The bridge into Newport just closed, and half the roads are underwater. Nobody’s getting through tonight.”
Shane thanked him and pulled into a nearby gas station parking lot.
Rain pounded against the roof of the truck as it idled.
Shane rubbed the back of his neck, bracing himself because what he was about to say would not be well received.
“Looks like we’re going to need to head back to my cabin.
It’s only five minutes away. You can take my bedroom. ”
“And where exactly will you sleep?” she asked. “The couch?”
“That was my plan.” Shane shifted the truck into drive and turned onto the narrow coastal road lined with towering pines. The farther they drove, the fewer houses appeared. Only darkness.
In the distance, the Atlantic Ocean roared while tree limbs bent beneath the billowing of the wind.
Then, through the sheets of rain, the headlights shone on a cedar cabin tucked against the edge of the woods overlooking the rocky shoreline.
Shane pulled into the gravel driveway and killed the engine.
For several seconds, neither of them moved.
Marissa stared through the windshield. Her eyes welled up with tears. “You built this?”
He nodded. “Every board.”
She whispered so quietly he almost missed it. “It’s beautiful.”
A bittersweet ache settled inside him. Seventeen years ago, he promised to build her a house.
He’d kept the promise. He just never imagined she’d see it like this.
Trapped by a storm with nowhere else to go.