Chapter 154 Fear in the Storm
The sound of thunder rumbling in the distance woke Andrea up. At first, she tried to explain it away—telling herself it was a racecar engine, a loud truck on the highway, even the bass from a radio. But when she opened her eyes and saw lightning illuminating the night sky, she knew it was a storm.
Andrea took some deep breaths and grabbed for her phone, which she’d placed on the nightstand next to her before she fell asleep. She had several missed phone calls from Case and a text or two, asking if he wanted her to bring her something to eat and saying that he would be home soon.
That text had come in about ten minutes ago. She hoped that meant he’d be back any minute. But he’d have to drive the golf cart home in the storm, which could be dangerous.
As another clap of thunder rattled the RV, Andrea realized she was about to have another panic attack. She didn’t want Case to come in and find her cowering in the closet or tucked under the bed—not that there was an under the bed, other than some drawers. She needed to get ahold of herself.
Memories of what had happened when she was a little girl, of a similar storm, a cornfield, and a tragedy, clouded her mind, and Andrea could no longer keep herself calm. Tears stung her eyes as she frantically looked for a place to hide, somewhere to block out the lightning and drown the sound of the thunder, but in the small living space, there wasn’t anywhere for her to go.
The door to the motor coach came flying open, and in a moment, Case’s arms were around her. “It’s okay, Andrea,” he said, dripping water all over the bed as he pulled her close. “I’m here. You’re okay.”
“It’s so loud!” she said, rocking back and forth, her eyes closed. “Make it stop!”
“I wish I could. Just take some deep breaths. I’m here. You’re safe.”
“No—it can get you anywhere,” she said through raspy breaths. “Please, Case, don’t let it get us!”
“The storm is not going to get us,” he assured her, kissing her on the forehead. He wrapped a blanket around her but kept his arms tight around her. Andrea leaned her head against him, breathing him in, trying to stay rational but losing the battle. “You’re safe, Andrea. It’s just a little thunderstorm. It’ll be over soon. No wind. No hail. Just rain.”
“And thunder and lightning,” she reminded him.
“A little. But it’s okay. It’ll pass. It’ll pass.” He kissed her head again, and Andrea concentrated on her breathing, trying to slow it down.
Another rumble had her jumping again, but Case held her steady, stroking her hair and reminding her that she was safe.
She lost all track of time. The storm seemed to last forever and be over in an instant all at the same time. With Case’s arms around her, it was easier to feel safe and calm than it had ever been in a storm before, but she still felt completely out of control, lost, and frightened, like she had on that day so many years ago.
“Andrea? Are you awake?”
The sound of Case’s voice against her ear had her opening her eyes and blinking at him. She nodded.
“It’s over. The storm is over. Do you want to go to sleep, or are you hungry? I can make you something.”
As appealing as the thought of going back to sleep was, her stomach was rumbling. Andrea took a cautious look out the window and then said, “I could eat.”
Smirking at her, Case leaned down and kissed her. His hair had dried, but she imagined he’d need a warm shower so he didn’t get sick. He’d sat there for hours in the night, rocking her, comforting her, while dressed in white clothes with dripping hair, all to make sure she was okay. “I love you, Case,” Andrea whispered.
“I love you, too, Andrea, more than anything. I’ll never let anything happen to you. I promise.”
“I believe you.”
He leaned down and kissed her again, and for the first time in her life, Andrea felt ready to tell someone her secret.
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