Chapter 11

Dani jumped reflexively as the flash of lightning streaked through the sky and illuminated the shadowy room.

One minute the place was clear and eerily calm and the next minute, the sky was an ominous leaden gray with the clouds hanging dangerously low. They had just managed to come back inside the farmhouse when the sky opened up with an outpouring of rain, the likes they had never seen before.

Then soon after, came the streaks of lightning and cracks of thunder that sounded like someone was setting bombs off nearby. And the power had suddenly turned off, leaving them with just the light from the hurricane lamp, someone had the presence of mind to grab from the supply room and several flashlights.

She had been trying to get in touch with Taj without success. The cell service had gone dead, and the house phone was no longer working.

"Hey." Jason had volunteered to stay with her for the duration of what was turning out to be a frighteningly scary storm that showed no signs of abating. "I am here."

Groping for his hand, she hung on tight, taking deep breaths to try and calm herself.

"I cannot get him."

"Which is not surprising. The cell phones are dead, so I think the lightning knocked out the towers as well as the power." Looping a hand around her shoulders, he pulled her close, feeling the tremors racking her body. Dani Matthews was fearless when it came to most things, but she became like a frightened child at the very hint of a storm.

"I hope to God he is not out there in this kind of weather."

"I hate to remind you darling, but the man is used to this kind of weather." He murmured.

"How can someone become accustomed to this?" She hated to admit it, but she was worried, and she was angry that he had not found a way to get in touch with her. And she was so scared, she could not stop trembling.

"If he could call, he would have," Jason murmured reassuringly. "You know that."

"Well, he is not obligated to." She grumbled.

"You know better than that." He stroked her back soothingly, willing the tremors to stop.

"Did you see Harry reaching for the bottle of vodka?" he was determined to take her mind off what was happening outside.

"As if we did not see him."

"William looked a little peaked, did you notice?"

Dani nodded in concern. William was more than a cast member; they had played several father and daughter roles and had become close. She had often wished he was her real-life dad. The man was a gentle teddy bear and even after spending more than three decades in the business, he was still unspoiled and utterly unselfish.

"I think his arthritis is acting up. Has he gone to bed?"

Jason nodded. "He has, but who can sleep with all this racket going on?"

"Would you mind checking on him?"

"I am not leaving you alone. I am sure he is all right."

"Just for a few minutes. I won't be comfortable until I know he is okay."

"Okay, fine." Pressing a kiss on her head, he eased away from her, a look of concern on his handsome face. "Will you be all right, while I am gone?"

She nodded, refusing to flinch when the streak of lightning brightened the room, followed by the crack of thunder.

"Just hurry back."

Closing her eyes briefly, Dani pulled the covers up over her. Taking deep breaths to get her heart to resume its regular beats, she reached for her phone and realized that there were no bars and no signal.

"Taj," She whispered. "I hope to God you are safe and dry in that mansion of yours."

*****

His booted feet sank into the soggy ground, and it took a minute for him to loosen himself from the mud swirling around him. The storm had taken them completely by surprise. One minute they were rounding up the cattle and the next, the rain was pouring down in torrents.

He had sent most of the men home but had stayed back to finish the job. And the storm had cut off the power. Fortunately, the generator had chipped in almost immediately, flooding the place with light.

But the cell towers were down. He could not get a damn signal on his phone to call Dani. She should be holed up in that farmhouse which was sturdy enough. He was worried about her, but there was no way he could get to her. And he had enough on his hands as it is.

Two of his ranch hands were missing and unaccounted for. And he did not want to think what might have happened to them. The rain had started pouring down so much that in a few minutes, they were unable to see anything in front of them.

"Anything?" He shouted to Ben as he staggered toward him.

"No." The older man shook his head, a worried look on his craggy face. "Boss, I hate to say it- "

"No." He shook his head firmly, his sodden wet hair stuck to his face. "You go one home and I as well as Jake and Billy will go on with the search."

"I am not leaving- "

"That was a direct order in case you didn't understand. Go home and build a fire. We will continue with the search. I am not leaving any of my men out here. We will be fine."

"Your dad and granddad will be worried." Ben pointed out.

"Stop by the ranch house and let them know I am fine. Go on now. I want to try and triangulate the search to the perimeter fencing in the east. They might have gotten carried away in the woods."

"There is a hell of a lot of flooding already," Ben told him grimly.

"Which is to be expected. Go home, Ben."

"Be careful boss."

"Always."

*****

Dani stirred and felt the crick in her neck as her eyelids flickered open. A watery sun was shining through the drapes, but she noticed that the rain that had lashed the windowpanes and shaken the frames as if an angry giant was at work was no longer an issue.

And a heavy arm was draped over her waist. A quick jolt of pleasure shot through her until she noticed the thick dark hair instead of an untidy blonde mane. Jason's eyes

"Hey."

"The storm has abated." Climbing out of bed, she hurried over to the window, stopping short at the devastation it had left in its wake.

"Oh, good God," she whispered, one hand going to her mouth. "The gazebo is completely gone, and several trees are flat on the ground."

Jason had come up beside her. "Goodness!"

"My phone. Let me check if there is any sort of cell service."

Jason went to get it and brought it back to her. "Nothing and it's completely dead."

"I am sure he is okay."

"How can you be certain?" Wheeling around, she headed to the bathroom to take a shower and change out of yesterday's clothing. The hot water was out and the water coming from the tap was icy cold.

"I will go and boil some on the stove. It's a good thing, it's gas, rather than electric." Jason murmured as he stood inside the doorway.

"How can people live like this?" Shoving her fingers through her tangled hair, she gazed around the room and saw that there was a gaping hole in the roof over the tub and water had poured in, almost to the rim.

"Great. I'll just need some water to brush my teeth and wash my face. And we really should check on the others."

Waiting until Jason had left, she plucked out her phone and stared at it again as if by some miracle, it would start working.

"He is a big boy and no doubt used to this. There is no need to worry about him. But oh God, I wish he would damn well call."

*****

"Any word?" Thomas came up behind his son as he stood there staring out the window.

"No, and when I find him, I am going to have words. Who the hell does he think he is? Worrying us like this?"

"He is a Byrne."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Theodore rasped, turning around to face his father. "I have not slept a wink last night and I am sure it was the same for you." "We brought him up to be responsible for his men and he did just that."

"I cannot lose him," Theodore whispered hoarsely. "We have been at odds with each other ever since he has been caught up with that woman and right now, I just want to see him. To know that he is alive."

"You are going out."

"Yes. I was just waiting to see if he would come strolling along the path. But I cannot wait any longer."

"I would ask if I could accompany you- "

"But you already know the answer to that." Jamming his hat on his head, Theodore started to move past him and stopped. Placing a hand on his father's shoulder, he gave a squeeze. "I am going to find him, Dad."

"See that you do." Was the older man's gruff reply.

*****

Taj felt himself slipping away. He was so exhausted that he could barely move. And he was convinced that several of his ribs were either bruised or cracked. The good news was he had found the men and had managed to carry them to safety.

They were both in a bad way and all three of them were going to need medical attention fast. The storm had stopped and in its wake was an eerie silence that hung over the air.

He had no idea how long it was going to take someone to find them. The building was part of the original home that had been abandoned more than fifty years ago because of the crumbling walls. And it was so damn cold.

His clothes were damp and soggy. He had managed to find some old furnishings and with the lighter he always carried with him, had a fire going. But there was no food, and he could kill for a very strong cup of coffee.

He was also roasting with fever, which was not a good sign.

His limbs were sore, and his throat was achy and all he could think about was her. Was she okay? Had she stayed indoors? Was she frightened by all the lightning and thunder? She was a city girl and surely was not used to anything like this.

Oh, he wished he could have been there for her, to wrap his arms around her, so that they could ride the storm out together.

There was another fear, an irrational one and one that he had no business thinking about, especially now. Experiencing this, she was going to want to go home as soon as possible. There was no way she would ever consider staying here.

Forcing the lethargy that was creeping up on him away, he struggled to his feet, pressing his hand against the thick column as he waited for the nausea to abate. He was hurting every damn where and his mind felt as if a thick fog was covering it. Shaking his head, he made his way over to his men.

"Boss," Ned whispered.

"I am here."

"I am sorry."

"For what?"

"For veering off the path and getting caught in the storm."

"We can discuss all of that later on." Plucking the canteen from his saddle bag, he tipped the man's head up and poured some water into his mouth. "We'll be fine." He assured them and prayed to God that he was right.

*****

Theodore and the group of men found them in the abandoned building.

"Jesus Christ!" He whispered as soon as they entered the shabby hallway. His son was slumped against the wall, his face alarmingly pale and the other two men were lying flat on what looked like pallets.

Rushing over, he felt Taj's pulse and drew back in shock at how hot he was.

"He is roasting."

"And we cannot get an ambulance out here. The roads are blocked." Ben told him grimly, hunkering down to check on the other two. "I think they are running a fever too."

"The helicopter. We have to get them to the landing."

"That's almost two miles away."

"Then we had better get to it then." Hauling his unconscious son up, he placed his hand over his shoulders. He was moving toward the doorway when his eyes flickered open. "Dad." He rasped. "I feel like hell."

Theodore chuckled grimly. "I can just imagine. Stay with me."

"The men- "

"They are right behind us."

"I am thirsty."

"Let me get you inside the jeep- "Theodore grunted as he eased him into the passenger's seat. Grabbing a bottle of water, he twisted off the cork and put it to his lips.

"Easy." He murmured as Taj drank down greedily. "We don't want you choking."

"I am so damned tired." Leaning back his head, he closed his eyes and was out like a light.

*****

"He is delirious and asking for someone by the name of Dani." Dr. Sheffield told them as soon as walked into the private waiting area.

"It's this woman he has been seeing." Theodore passed a restless hand over his head. "The others?"

"Dehydrated and running a temperature, but they are not bad. Your son is the worst. He has several bruised ribs, and the fever is troubling. We have given him some antibiotics, but he is still very restless and will not settle."

"May I go in?"

"Of course. Perhaps hearing your voice will make him calm. His blood pressure is also rising and that's cause for concern."

"Thank you, Chris."

The doctor led the way to the private room where his son was lying on the bed, his head tossing on the pillows.

"I will leave you to it then. We will be back to check on him momentarily."

The man slipped from the room and closed the door behind him.

Pulling up a chair, Theodore sat and stared at his son for a minute. He had sat next to his wife's bed and watched as life drained from her and it had destroyed him. Lifting a hand, he brushed back the tangled blonde hair clinging to his moist forehead. His touch seemed to soothe him a bit and had him going still.

"It's your old man and I have to tell you that you gave me quite a scare. You have to remember that we are not young anymore and your grandfather and I were out of our minds with worry. What on earth were you thinking?"

*****

"Send her in."

Thomas rose to his feet as the maid ushered Dani into the room.

"I am so sorry to barge in like this." She hurried forward and took his outstretched hands.

"And I would have been very disappointed if you had not turned up." He clasped her hands tightly, a smile on his face. "I suppose you heard what happened."

She nodded and took a deep breath as she tried to settle her chaotic emotions. "Any news?"

"He is running a higher-than-normal fever, and his blood pressure is through the roof." Thomas led her over to a paisley-printed chair by the window. She had witnessed the devastation the storm had left. She had been going stir-crazy over at the farmhouse and decided to drive over to see what was happening.

"Is he going to be, okay?"

"Would you like something to drink? Some tea and pastry, perhaps? We have- "

"I don't want food!" Closing her eyes briefly, she took a breath. "I apologize"

"No." The old man shook his head, eyes glimmering with an odd light. "I understand perfectly. Here I am offering refreshments when you are worried about my grandson. He is asking for you."

She shot him a startled glance. "I thought he was unconscious?"

"He is delirious and calling your name. My son is telling me he refuses to settle."

"What does that mean?"

"It means Theodore is sending the helicopter back for you." He stared at her closely. "That is if you want to go. I am assuming that you care about him." "Of course I do." She clasped her hands in her lap, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. "I- "She closed her eyes briefly. "I am leaving in less than a week."

"Are you now?" Thomas asked her mildly. "Tell me something, my dear. How well did you sleep last night?"

Dani stared at him for a few seconds before rising to walk over to the window. She had been tormented by thoughts of him in a ditch somewhere or being struck by lightning and the idea of never seeing him again had petrified her.

"This is not supposed to be happening." She murmured as if to herself. "We only just met, and I have my life- "Closing her eyes, she leaned against the window. "I have to leave- I – this is not my home, and I am assuming a hell of a lot. It's just a physical relationship, nothing more."

She turned to face him. "I will go to the hospital and see if I can help, but I am leaving when the time comes."

She shifted as Thomas continued to stare at her.

"I met my Gillian when she came here to get away from her old life. I am Irish and she was an American and she captivated me the first time I saw her."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Theodore met his wife when she came here too. My dear, I have a feeling that you already know what's happening."