Free Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble

everyone. You think things will automatically be all right.”
    Alec clutched the phone almost tight enough to break it. He couldn’t lose his temper. Frank had his own view of the world. It was varnished tightly in place, and no one was going to change it.
    When Alec made no comment, Frank huffed. “I want to talk to my grandson.”
    Without another word, Alec took the phone from his ear and handed it to Zach. His nephew took it hesitantly. He had an uneasy relationship with his mother’s dad. No one could live up to Frank’s high standards, and Zach had given up trying by the time he was five.
    â€œHi, Grandpa,” Zach said. “No, we’re fine. I’m not scared. I want to see what a hurricane is like. It’s only a category 1. We’ll be fine.”
    Alec hid a grin and went out to the back deck. The gray waves crashed over the pier and rolled dirty white foam onto the sand. The tide left flotsam behind as it receded for another attack. A dark sheet of rain that was the first outer band of the hurricane was just offshore and would be on him in a few minutes, but he lifted his face to the wind and exulted in God’s power.
    Such an awesome display. God could choose to spare this little spot or wipe it out. It was all in his control. Alec stared another minute, then the first drops of cold rain struck his face. He returned to the house and got inside just as the deluge hit. The rain thundered on the metal roof. It sounded as though the house was coming in on them, and he began to wonder if he’d made the right decision to ride out the storm. Even a storm this weak could kill.
    Zach’s eyes were wide and fearful. “Uncle Alec!” His nephew swallowed hard and handed the phone back to Alec. “It’s Tom.”
    Alec took the phone. “Trouble?” he asked his cousin.
    â€œWe just got word that high tide is going to hit at the same time in the morning as the storm surge.” Tom’s voice was tense and clipped. “And Mr. Carter called. Can you evacuate him to the Tidewater Inn?”
    It was going to be a long night.
    â€œOn my way.” Alec hung up the phone. “I need to help some of the shut-ins. You can wait upstairs in case there’s a storm surge.”
    Zach shook his head. “No way! I’m a man now, Uncle Alec. Let me come along and help.”
    Alec grabbed a yellow slicker and boots. “Get dressed, then.” He tossed Zach’s gear at him. “Hurry.”
    He prayed for those caught in this storm. That no lives would be lost. Property could be replaced, but lives were much more precious.

    The storm would be on them soon. Libby sat in a swing on the expansive porch with her father’s package in her hands. Bob Marley was crooning to her through her iPod earbuds, and the reggae soothed her ragged nerves as she waited for the rain to hit. The windows were shuttered and ready. The generator was gassed up, and the house hunkered down before the coming storm.
    She stared out at the sea. The waves were high, and a few surfers were out braving the massive rollers. Crazy. She watched them for a few minutes, but her task couldn’t be delayed forever. Libby pressed the envelope between her hands and felt something hard inside. A small locket with a photo? A bracelet? She couldn’t tell. She flipped the envelope over and slipped her finger under the flap. It opened easily. She inhaled, then upended the envelope so the contents slipped out onto her lap. A necklace, a notebook, and a letter fell out.
    She picked up the necklace first. There were beads strung on jute. It was quite worn. She rolled one bead over to see an engraved letter on the other side. She could barely make out a J . The letters on the other beads had worn off, and she had no idea what it was supposed to spell. The paper might explain, but she found herself a little reluctant to unfold it and read it—almost frightened, though there was