Darkness United Read online

  would be ripe for invasion.

  “As far as we know, based on minimal communication via longwave radios, the blackout remains worldwide,” she answered and Taylor nodded. She looked prepared to ask another question, but Greg shot out of his chair again.

  “So, then you haven't fixed this thing?” he asked sounding as if he thought he had been tricked. “This is unacceptable. My tax dollars were not spent to leave us sitting in the dark.” Grace raised her eyebrows. Is he serious? she wondered and glanced to Taylor and then Jackie. She watched the city’s general manager let out a slow, patient breath.

  “I am confident Major Hamilton is not directly responsible for the power still being off, Greg,” she said. “Now, please, will you sit down?”

  Again, Greg pouted but sat. As hard as it was to not shake her head at the man’s petulant demeanor, Grace held herself in check. She did know Astoria was damn lucky Taylor Barnes and Jackie Scott ended up here to run things.

  Of course, if they weren’t, my mission would be easier to complete, she thought. Relocating Astoria’s residents was going to be a real challenge.

  Taylor wasn’t yet able to determine what Grace's presence meant. The more the major remained evasive with her answers, the more uneasy she felt. It did not help that Greg was making the interview all about him. There was also the reality that Jackie, even with all her business experience, did not know what strategic military questions to ask. She disliked having to butt in, but Taylor knew it was time to get some real answers. As she opened her mouth to take over, there was a knock on the door. Jackie opened it, and Mrs. Weeks, with a helper, came in with a tray of snacks plus some glasses of what Taylor guessed was pressed apple cider.

  “Great timing,” Jackie said. “Thank you, Mrs. Weeks. This is perfect.” She turned to Grace. “Something to drink, Major?”

  Very smart, Taylor thought as she watched the hospitality dance go on for five minutes before they were alone again.

  Breaking bread with your enemy was a common tradition at meetings just like this. But is Grace Hamilton our enemy?

  she wondered. Unfortunately, Taylor could not tell. The military would not use what were undoubtedly precious resources to send a reconnaissance detail without a clear objective. Not being able to stay quiet any longer, Taylor cleared her throat. “Major, let’s get back to Jackie’s initial question. Why are you here?” She watched Grace take a slow drink of the cider before forming an answer.

  “There is a command set up not far north in Aberdeen,”

  she explained. “Based on our intelligence, there is reason for concern about the welfare of survivors in Portland, and possibly other cities nearby. The general assigned me to investigate and provide aid.”

  And then do what? Taylor wondered. I know she just gave me a half-truth. Considering their history, Taylor felt a stronger touch of anxiety. There was a lot more to Grace’s sudden arrival, and apparently, Jackie was picking up on the same vibe.

  “Well, you’ll be happy to know Astoria is fine,” she explained with a slight edge to her voice. “We are not only surviving, but we are thriving.” Taylor could not help but smile. The woman was right.

  Just then, a strong gust of wind whistled around the side of the building. The noise had Greg shooting out of his chair again. His face was pale. “What was that?” he asked. “Is another one coming?” Taylor could not blame the man for being fearful. He no doubt had some post-traumatic stress from the last time a major storm hit Astoria. Greg and Taylor almost died. She saw Jackie turn to her as well, a touch of concern in her eyes.

  “I don’t believe we are at risk,” Taylor said. “But I think we may want to reconvene here later.” She turned to Grace.

  “Major, will you and your team need housing? We are in a bit of a shortage, but I believe we can enlist some families to make room. And you can stay with Jackie and me. There is a guest room.” At the last statement, Taylor caught an unhappy look from Jackie. Furrowing her brow, she did not understand why Jackie would suddenly not be hospitable.

  Then a bizarre idea hit her. Does she think there is something between Grace and me? Because of our past history? she thought. Sure, over a decade before she had slept with Grace a couple times, but that was nothing. Just two soldiers wanting some comfort in a hostile country. Her love for Jackie was everything by comparison.

  Before Taylor could work out a resolution, Grace stood.

  “That won’t be necessary, Taylor,” she said. “We do not want to be a hardship. I will take my squad back to the Wind Dancer for now.”

  Standing as well, Taylor smiled. “Then I will escort all of you back to the dock,” she said, turning to tell Jackie she would see her back at the house. The icy stare she got back made her frown. A pissed off Jackie was never pleasant, yet there was no reason for her to be angry. Taylor was only providing a courtesy to an Army officer, who happened to be

  an old friend. We will just have to work this out later, she thought but did not look forward to it.

  CHAPTER 15

  eg watched the shoreline from the deck of the Wind MDancer. “We could just leave,” Jimmy said from where he stood beside her. “Pull the anchor, turn the ship, and be gone.”

  She glanced at him. “They left two squad members onboard with guns to keep us from doing that,” she replied.

  Jimmy shrugged. “I am confident we could either talk them into willingly coming along or overpower them,” he said. “Or haven’t you noticed none of these soldiers are particularly gung-ho.” Actually, Meg noticed. Although she had no reason to doubt their loyalty to Major Grace Hamilton, the troop’s overall opinion of the army was definitely not high. She had yet to get the details, but it seemed whatever was happening in Aberdeen did not sit well with anyone. So, I’m just glad Grace got us out of there before I had a chance to get sucked into it, she thought.

  “No,” she answered. “We will wait and see what Major Hamilton decides to do.” The original plan was for Grace and her squad to make initial contact with whoever was running Astoria. They would signal if they were staying on shore or returning to the Wind Dancer. Then, the group went off somewhere. So far, there was no signal, which worried Meg. Another storm was rising up from the ocean and a significant wind blew down the Columbia River. Already a substantial chop had sprung up on the river. Rowing back in the dinghy was becoming more dangerous by the second.

  And why do I care? she asked herself. And why am I so quick to turn down Jimmy’s idea? Gritting her teeth, Meg knew precisely why. She was becoming more and more attracted

  to Grace every day. Even though the major showed no sign of feeling the same, Meg could not be around the woman without becoming at least a little ... A little what? Meg was not sure how exactly she felt, but she did know one thing. It was a disaster in the making.

  Before she could analyze her dilemma further, there was movement on the shore. Jimmy pointed. “They’re getting in the dinghy,” he said, shaking his head. “Not so sure that is the best move.” As a few raindrops started to fall onto the deck around her, Meg had to agree. The weather was deteriorating quickly. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could really do to help Grace. The Wind Dancer was anchored and trying to move closer in these growing swells would be dangerous. Instead, she could only stand, watch, and hold her breath.

  Slowly, the little boat rowed over the growing waves moving ever closer, but at a snail's pace. “Shit, they are taking on water,” Jimmy muttered, and Meg felt her stomach clench. She had sent two of her crew to manage the rowing of the boat, and they were doing a good job of fighting the river's current, but it was going to be close.

  “Get everyone ready at the rail. We will want to throw them a rope the minute they are close enough,” Meg ordered. Jimmy moved quickly, while she looked up to study the sky. Dark clouds were churning and the rain pouring down had already increased tenfold. Come on, guys, Meg thought, turning back to watch the water. Come on, Grace.

  WHEN GRACE HIT THE water, she knew she was
in trouble.

  Swimming was never her strength and the churning cold which enveloped her was far from anything she ever experienced. They had been so close to the lines tossed toward them from the Wind Dancer that Grace was just

  starting to relax. We made it, she thought, only at that moment, a large swell broadsided the dinghy. The two men from Meg’s crew tried to keep it upright, but Grace’s soldiers panicked. To be fair, Grace panicked too. The strong wind and pounding rain, mixing with the rough water was nothing short of terrifying. The boat capsized and Grace had a fleeting thought of regret for not having on a life vest.

  Falling, she tried desperately to keep her head above water, but it was futile. Her clothes became waterlogged in moments and dragged her under. When she was able to poke her head up to the surface, she was disoriented.

  Bobbing, she knew the Wind Dancer was there, but it seemed impossibly far away. I am actually going to drown, she thought and felt her chest constrict with terror. She tried to swim harder, but it seemed to do no good. Her head slipped under again and Grace opened her mouth to cry out, only to have it filled with water. There seemed no chance for her.

  Suddenly, a steady hand was grabbing her shoulder and yanking up. Feeling a glimmer of hope, Grace reached for the person's arm. Just as she struggled to get her face above the waterline, another rolling wave swept over her.

  She was back under and the hand holding her started to slip. No, her mind screamed. Please don’t let me go. As if in answer, her rescuer pulled again and was able to slip an arm around Grace’s ribs. This time when her head broke the surface, she was able to take a real breath since falling into the water.

  Blinking her eyes to clear them and coughing up river water, Grace looked into the face of the person who held her. It was Meg. She was hanging onto a life ring attached to a rope with one arm and holding Grace with the other. She jumped into this roaring water to save me, Grace realized.

  And now we might both drown. Grace spit out more water.

  But not if I can help it. Forcing herself to calm her panic, she tried to relax and stop fighting the water. “What do I need to

  do?” she asked and a look from Meg let her know the woman appreciated her change in attitude.

  “Loop an arm through this buoy with me and don’t panic if a wave sweeps over us,” she answered. “If we have ahold of this, we will pop back up. Eventually, they will reel us in.”

  Grace nodded, knowing being tossed under again would test her.

  “Please don't let go of me,” Grace begged over the sound of the crashing swells. Meg smiled with the confidence Grace had grown to like very much.

  “Never,” Meg said and pulled Grace tight against her.

  “We got this.” Grace nodded, not entirely sure, but knew she had to be braver than ever before. Even her time in combat overseas seemed less frightening than being out in the water. I will have to trust in Meg, she thought and realized nothing could give her more comfort at this moment. Meg would keep them afloat long enough to be pulled back to the boat. She knew it in her heart.

  MEG KNELT ON THE DECK of the Wind Dancer. Grace was sitting, still coughing up water. The trip in, being drug by the rope while hanging onto the ring and each other, was a rough one. They were pulled continuously under the waves and with every dunking, Meg saw Grace was fading.

  Repeatedly, Meg reassured the woman to just hang on a little longer. “We are almost there,” she said, and Grace would merely nod, fear and misery all over her face.

  Finally, they were aboard and Grace collapsed. With her heart nearly pounding out of her chest, Meg dropped to her side to make sure she was still breathing. Not until the woman started coughing up more water did Meg let out the breath she held. “Hang in there, Major,” she said, trying to

  sound a tad more playful to cover her fear, but Grace responded by groping for Meg’s hand and holding it tight.

  “Stay,” she whispered, and Meg knew nothing could drag her away. Finally, towels and blankets came. Meg coaxed Grace to a seated position and helped wrap her up. It did not seem to be doing enough though. She needs to get out of this cold, wet uniform, she thought and wondered if Grace had any other clothes. So far, she had not seen her in anything different. Well, a set of my baggy sweats will be just the trick if she doesn’t.

  “Major, can you get up? I want to help you change into something dry,” she said. Grace continued to shiver and Meg worried she was slipping into hypothermia until she finally nodded.

  “I can,” Grace said and let Meg and Jimmy help her to her feet. “I’ll just go to my cabin.”

  Meg frowned. Letting Grace be alone right then did not sit well with her. She was still at risk if she did not get warm.

  “Come with me first,” Meg advised. “I can loan you some of my warmest clothing.” Grace paused, clearly considering the offer. She turned to look at Meg and their eyes met, but she could not read what the woman was thinking.

  Embarrassed? Grateful? Just glad to be alive? she wondered.

  Before she could decide, Grace agreed.

  “I would like that,” she said and willingly followed Meg across the deck. In a moment, they were alone in Meg’s cabin. Unable to help it, Meg remembered her dream from the morning before. She felt a tightness in her stomach and had to grit her teeth to tamp down the emotion. This is nothing like that, she scolded herself. So, knock it off.

  Deciding her best course of action would be to just keep things professional, she strode to her chest of drawers and opened the top one to grab clothes.

  “I imagine these will be a little big on you, but—” Meg started as she turned back to Grace. What she saw made her freeze. The major had dropped the blanket and already

  stripped off the uniform jacket. The thin shirt beneath it was plastered to the woman’s body. There was no mistaking the shape of her full breasts, tight nipples, and flat stomach. As her eyes wandered over Grace’s body, Meg swallowed hard while the desire to cross the room and kiss Grace threatened to consume her. She has no idea what she is doing to me, she thought.

  “Are you all right, Captain?” Grace asked, and Meg snapped her eyes back to the woman's face. There was a definite blush on her cheeks and as Meg continued to stare, Grace bit her bottom lip. It was too much and Meg crossed the small space in two long strides before taking the woman's face in her hands to kiss her.

  At first, she felt Grace hesitate but then she leaned into the kiss and their mouths were on fire. Not hesitating, Meg took the woman’s mouth with her tongue to be rewarded by a moan from Grace’s throat. Encouraged, Meg reached for Grace’s hips to pull her closer. Yet, as soon as she touched her, Grace put her hands against Meg’s chest and pushed her back. The kiss broke.

  “No,” Grace said.

  Confused, Meg stepped away. She was convinced Grace wanted her too, so was even more perplexed when the major moved past her to grab up the extra clothes. Without another word, Grace left the cabin leaving Meg to wonder what had just happened.

  CHAPTER 16

  hey broke through the trees and came to the front of a Tquaint bungalow as the downpour raged around them.

  Glancing around, Sam was disappointed to see it was a small place and did not appear to have a barn they could ask to use. Motioning to Laura, she led them under the large oak tree at the center of the circle driveway. Slipping from the saddle, Sam handed Lester’s reins to her. “I’ll go see who’s home. Maybe we can sleep in the garage or something,” she said. “This rain is too much to stay out in.”

  Laura grabbed Sam’s hand along with the reins. “Are you sure? What if they think we are trespassing?” she asked with concern in her eyes. Sam gave her the most reassuring smile she could muster, even though she was a bit worried too.

  They had been traveling down gravel back country roads all day. The fields turned to a forest and they had not seen anyone for hours.

  Giving Laura’s hand a squeeze and then her horse Honey a pat, Sam backed away. “It will be fine. I’ll
just explain,”

  she said. “Even with our tent, we’d be miserable. Plus, I hate for the horses to get so wet.”

  After a pause, Laura nodded.

  “I understand. Just please be careful, Sam,” she said, and Sam kept smiling as she turned away jogging through the downpour up to the front door.

  The place was cute. Painted a cheery yellow with white trim. Rose bushes grew all along the front walk, which Sam imagined were gorgeous normally, but now looked a bit neglected. The plants seriously needed deadheading of the

  withered blooms. More curious, Sam scanned the front of the house and saw all the window curtains were pulled.

  Maybe no one is home, she thought with disappointment. It was hard to ask for help if there was no one around.

  Opening the screen, she knocked on the front door and listened. Nothing.

  Glancing back at Laura, Sam shrugged and knocked again, harder. There was still no answer. It really did seem as if the place was unoccupied. “I’m going to check around the back,” Sam called to Laura. Before the woman could protest, she slipped off of the front porch and around the corner. There was a nice carport with a yellow Volkswagen Beetle parked in it. Sam frowned. The whole situation was peculiar. If the car is here, where is the driver? she thought and then laughed under her breath for being silly. There were a lot of explanations. The home’s owner could simply have been picked up by a friend.

  Going to the back door, Sam knocked again. After a minute of nothing, she decided to try the door. The handle turned easily and Sam realized it was unlocked. Now what?

  she thought. She could either go back to Laura and they could move along hoping for somewhere else, or ...

  Suddenly, thunder boomed overhead and the rain came down twice as hard. Or I go in and see if anyone is here.

  With no further hesitation, Sam opened the door and stepped inside. “Hello?” she called out loudly. No one answered. Moving inside, Sam wandered through a small, spotless kitchen. “Hello? Is anyone home?” she asked again as she walked deeper into the house. It indeed appeared no one was home.