Stranded. Debby Giusti

dog followed.

      A brick fireplace, painted white, drew her eye along with a beige couch and two side chairs, nestled around a low coffee table. An oil seascape hung over the mantel flanked by built-in shelves filled with books. She neared and glanced at the titles, seeing some of her favorites.

      Frank came up behind her. “Did I tell you Evelyn is a librarian?”

      “I’m in here.” A voice called from the kitchen.

      He motioned for Colleen to follow as he headed toward a small hallway that led to a keeping area and open kitchen.

      A slender woman, early forties, with chestnut hair and big blue eyes, stood behind a granite-topped island and greeted Frank with a warm smile. She was fair and petite and contrasted with her brother’s rugged frame and broad shoulders.

      Colleen and her sister had shared similar facial structures, although Briana had been golden-haired like their mother, while Colleen inherited her flaming-red locks from her dad. Seeing the warmth of Evelyn’s welcome made Colleen long for her own sister.

      “I’m baking a ham and making potato salad for the rescue effort.” She stirred mayonnaise into the bowl of boiled potatoes and sliced hard-boiled eggs.

      As Colleen moved closer, Evelyn glanced up. The look on her face revealed her surprise at finding a visitor. She wiped her hand on a dish towel.

      With a pronounced limp, she moved around the island and opened her arms to greet Colleen with a hug. “Welcome. Looks like you were caught in the storm.”

      The sincerity of Evelyn’s voice touched a raw edge in the depths of Colleen’s self-control. Her eyes burned and a lump formed in her throat in response to the genuine concern she heard in the older woman’s voice.

      Frank quickly made the introductions, his tone suddenly curt and businesslike and so opposite his sister’s soothing welcome. As if unsure of where to stand or what to do next, he headed for the coffeepot.

      “Care for a cup?” he asked Colleen before glancing at his sister. “Decaf, right?”

      “Always at this time or I’d never sleep.”

      “A glass of water might be better,” Colleen said. “But I don’t want to trouble you.”

      Duke nuzzled her leg. He held a tennis ball in his mouth and wanted to play. Before she could take the ball, Frank motioned him to the corner, where he dropped the toy and obediently lay down.

      “Good dog.”

      Frank turned to his sister. “Colleen’s car was damaged by the tornado. She lives in Atlanta and hopes to return home in a few days.”

      “Preferably tomorrow,” she quickly added.

      “You need a place to spend the night.” Evelyn’s eyes were filled with understanding. “We have a spare room. Of course you’ll stay here.”

      Turning to Frank, she added, “Did you bring her luggage?”

      “I’ve got a carry-on bag in the trunk of my car, but I didn’t think about it until now,” Colleen admitted.

      “I’ll get it when I head back to the triage area,” Frank volunteered.

      Colleen held up her hand. “No need. I’ll get it in the morning.”

      “Is there anyone in Atlanta you want to call who might be worried about you?” Evelyn asked.

      “That’s kind of you, but I have a cell phone.” Colleen patted her pocket, reassured by the weight of her mobile device.

      “You might not have coverage,” Evelyn said. “Some of the cell towers were hit by the storm. Thankfully our landline is still working.”

      “I take it you got through to the rural fire department,” Frank said to his sister.

      She nodded. “Which was a blessing. They passed on the information to emergency personnel in town. The local radio station quoted the mayor as saying search-and-rescue operations would continue into the night and throughout the next few days.”

      “At a minimum.” Frank glanced at his watch. “I need to hurry back.”

      “You need to eat something,” Evelyn insisted.

      He shook his head.

      “Then I’ll make a sandwich to take with you.”

      “More of your attempts to fatten me up?” His tone held a hint of levity that surprised Colleen.

      Evelyn opened the refrigerator and pulled out lunch meat, cheese and mustard. As she layered the meat and cheese on two slices of bread, Frank grabbed a glass from one of the overhead cabinets. He filled it with ice and added water from the dispenser on the door of the refrigerator.

      “You’ll need your coat,” Evelyn said, cutting the sandwich in half and wrapping it in foil.

      Colleen accepted the water from Frank. From all appearances, his sister was the nurturing type, and despite the macho persona he tried to impart, the CID special agent seemed to readily accept her advice.

      “I’m changing into my uniform. Fort Rickman’s getting involved, and I want to help them set up.”

      “You’re still on convalescent leave, Frank.”

      “Only for another week.”

      He glanced at Colleen and then headed into the hallway that led to the front of the house. “Back in a minute.”

      While Frank changed, Evelyn showed her to a guest room located behind the kitchen. “This doubles as my office and sewing room. I hope you won’t mind the clutter.”

      A computer sat on a small desk, and colorful baskets filled with fabric and threads were neatly tucked in the shelving that covered the far wall. A double bed, nightstand and small dresser took up the rest of the space.

      “If the weather warms tomorrow, you can use the screened-in porch.” Colleen pointed to the French doors leading to the private sitting area. “It’s usually nice this time of year, although tonight the temperature’s a bit chilly.”

      “It’s a lovely room, Evelyn, but I fear I’m putting you out.”

      “Nonsense. I’m glad Frank found you.”

      Which he had. He and Duke had found her in the rubble. If they hadn’t, no telling how long she and Vivian would have been trapped.

      “You’re fortunate the storm spared your house,” Colleen said as she glanced outside at the downed branches littering the yard.

      “God answered our prayers.”

      Colleen nodded. “I’m sure the Amish folks prayed, as well.”

      “Of course. Their faith is strong. In fact, they are a resilient community and a forgiving people. They’ll rebuild.”

      “I hate to see dreams destroyed.”

      Evelyn nodded knowingly. “If only we knew what the future would hold.”

      The melancholy in her voice gave Colleen pause. Perhaps Evelyn had her own story to tell.

      “Frank said there’s a bus station in Freemont.”

      Evelyn raised her brow. “You’re in a hurry to get back to Atlanta?”

      The question caught Colleen off guard. “As...as soon as possible.”

      Mentally weighing her options, she realized none of them were good. She couldn’t fly without her driver’s license and airline identification. Both were in her purse, buried in her car.

      She had planned on a fast trip to Freemont to gather the last bit of evidence she needed to send Trey to jail. Now Vivian was in the hospital, and Colleen was stranded in an area devastated by a tornado. To add to her situation, she was holed up with a law enforcement officer who