His Holiday Family

Chapter Four

Kathleen clutched the phone with a trembling hand, hoping somehow Kip hadn’t heard her mother right. “Mom, what’s going on?”

“Exactly what Kip told you. The hurricane is coming right for us. It has picked up speed. This time I don’t think we’re going to dodge the bullet.”

Kathleen’s eyes closed, and she drew in a deep, fortifying breath. “He said tomorrow night—early or late?”

“It will start by early evening, and the eye should be going over us right after midnight if it continues to move at the same speed it is now.”

“I guess you don’t have to put up those supplies after all. We’ll take care of this house and come over to help you after that.”

Kathleen hung up and passed the phone to Kip. “You and your brother need to go to bed. First thing tomorrow, we’ll have to board and tape up this house then help Nana.”

Kip’s eyes widened. “How bad will it be?”

Gideon stepped forward. “A lot of wind and rain.”

“Like a bad thunderstorm?” Her son gripped the phone tighter.

Gideon settled his hand on Kip’s shoulder. “Yeah. You’ll be okay.”

“Does this mean we don’t have school tomorrow?”

“Yes. We’ll be busy getting ready as will everyone else.” Kathleen opened the screen door.

“Cool. Wait till Jared hears this.”

“I don’t want any more fighting between you and Jared. We have other things to deal with right now. Okay?”

Kip spun around and charged back into the house, saying, “Yes.”

Turning to face Gideon, she let the screen door bang closed. “The last time I was in a hurricane was over twenty years ago. I’ve forgotten what to do. I remember Mom filling the bathtub and other containers with water. Getting candles, lanterns, batteries for a radio and flashlights…” With memories racing through her mind, it went blank.

“Stock up on food you don’t have to refrigerate. We will most likely lose our electricity. Bring indoors everything that can be picked up by high winds. Since this house doesn’t have hurricane shutters, tape or board the windows. Then pray. Are you going to stay here?”

“I don’t know. I might go to Mom’s.”

“I think that would be better. If there is a big storm surge, this house could be flooded. It’s nearer the beach than your mom’s.”

“Then that’s where we’ll be.”

Gideon stared down at his cast. “If it wasn’t for this, I’d be at the fire station.” Frustration edged his voice.

“I’m on the B team at the hospital. I work post-hurricane. I’ll contact work tomorrow morning and see when they want me to come in. There’s so much to be done. This house isn’t prepared.”

He took her hand. “Get a good night’s sleep, and I’ll come over and help tomorrow morning first thing.”

“Only if you’ll let me help you.”

“I have hurricane shutters, which will cut down on what I have to do. Let’s get your house and your mom’s prepared first. There shouldn’t be too much to do with mine.”

“I’ll have breakfast ready at 6:30. At least let me feed you before you work.”

He squeezed her hand then dropped it and turned toward the steps. “You’ve got yourself a date. See you at 6:30.”

Kathleen stood on her porch and watched him stroll down her sidewalk, hop into his Jeep and leave. As his taillights disappeared down the street, she peered up at the sky. Roiling clouds obscured the moon. It had begun.

The next morning, using the electric screwdriver that Gideon brought, Kathleen secured a large board over the picture window in the living room while Gideon held it in place for her. When she finished with the last screw, she descended the ladder and stepped back. “I hope that will hold.”

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