The Trouble with Andrew by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online

to fall once again. Sophie shrieked and waved a hand, grabbing Len by the shoulder. “See you later!” she called.
    â€œDitto!” Brandon said, setting his hands on his wife’s shoulders and turning to make the run across the street.
    â€œCome on,” Drew Cunningham told Katie gruffly. The rain was beginning to pelt quickly. He set a hand on Katie’s back to guide her across the destroyed lawn. She was startled by the jolt of sheer electricity that seemed to streak through her with that simple touch. Maybe she shouldn’t have been surprised. She had found him arresting from that first moment when she had lain among the banyan roots and he had reached a hand down to her and stared at her with eyes that seemed pure gold and fire.
    She hurried ahead of him and into the house. He followed behind her, closing the door. “I imagine it will be like this off and on for awhile now,” Drew said.
    â€œI imagine,” Katie said. “Still…”
    â€œStill what?”
    She’d been about to say that she really needed to get into what was left of her house no matter what the sky was doing. But she decided to wait awhile. She had the distinct impression that he would try to stop her, that he would tell her the structure was unsafe, that he would do something to hinder her efforts. He was one of those men, she thought. Accustomed to giving orders—quietly, politely, of course, but in one of those voices no one thought to disobey. He seemed to be the confident sort, assured in his knowledge and judgment.
    Not that she meant to be stupid. She was now more than ever aware that her life was worth far more than anything in the house. She didn’t intend to leave Jordan an orphan. But she was fairly confident—and competent—herself, and she knew how to be careful.
    Still…
    â€œI wonder if the real brunt of the storm is over,” she said.
    â€œLet’s see what they’re saying now,” Drew suggested.
    They went to the sofa, not soaked but a little dusted with raindrops. Jordan was still sound asleep, sprawled out and taking up most of the space on the chesterfield, which left Katie very little room when she sat next to Drew. Their thighs touched. She stared at the television, listening to the voice of Mayor Suarez. He was pleased that downtown Miami seemed to have escaped the storm. The skyscrapers had held; from what the mayor could see, there were some blown-out windows, but not much more.
    Yet right after the mayor spoke, they heard from reporters moving southward down Route 1. The tales they were telling were devastating and grew worse as the reporters made their slow trek down the highway. Not a single traffic light was working. The road was blocked by trees, by downed poles, by such ridiculous things as household appliances. The farther south they went, the worse it was. They were beginning to estimate that certain areas had been hit with winds raging over two hundred miles an hour.
    Another report came in, assuring people that emergency services would be available. Shelters were listed. Katie realized that thousands of people in the area were homeless.
    â€œWhat a horrible, horrible storm,” she whispered. “No wonder my house went down.”
    â€œThe house shouldn’t have gone,” he said curtly.
    Katie stared at her host, wondering at the fury and tension in his voice and startled by the angry look he gave her.
    Especially since Jordan’s manner of sleeping had forced them to sit so close together. She was alarmingly aware of him once again, aware of the heat and fire that seemed to radiate from his form and sweep her with warmth. She was aware of the hard-muscled structure of him, of the thighs pressed against hers. Very aware of his locked jaw and the burning gold of his eyes. His house was still standing. Why was he so angry?
    She was the one with nothing left.
    â€œWhy are you snapping at me?” she asked him.