Read Online From Glowing Embers by Emilie Richards - Free Book Online

the stream of people coming along behind them. “One of the flight attendants told me the storm is probably going to be upgraded into a cy—hurricane. Whether it is or not, they’ll be evacuating the northern part of the island because that’s where they think the storm is heading, and no matter what they end up calling it, it’s a bad one.”
    “But we don’t have hurricanes here.” The moment the words left her mouth she realized they weren’t true. “Well, rarely,” she said lamely. “There was one called Iwa, but I was on the mainland.” Julianna shut her eyes and tried to imagine living through a hurricane. It was a nightmare come true. She couldn’t face it.
    “Are you all right?”
    She wasn’t, but she wasn’t going to admit it. “Surprised, that’s all.” She forced herself to open her eyes.
    “Good on ya.” Dillon squeezed her shoulder sympathetically. “It may get wet enough to bog a duck, but you’ll be fine.”
    “If they’re evacuating the north end of the island, and if travelers are stranded, too, the hotels will be full. What are you going to do?”
    “First let’s get our bags, then we can check with the airline. They’ll be able to suggest something.”
    Julianna kept her eyes open for Gray as they walked along the corridor. Unless he was traveling light, he would have to go to the baggage claim area, too. She just hoped he would be concerned enough about the impending hurricane that he’d leave her alone.
    When they arrived Gray was nowhere in sight. Julianna watched Dillon sling a duffel bag off the carousel and over his shoulder. “That’s it for me,” he told her.
    “It doesn’t look like any of mine’s off the plane yet. I shipped most of it ahead, so I don’t have much.”
    “Do you need a hand?”
    She shook her head. “Thanks, but I’ll manage.”
    “Then I’m going to have a go at the airline office. See if they’ve got any advice for us.” He smiled, pushing his hat up a notch as he did. “Shall I try and get you a room if I can?”
    “Would you please? It would be a big help.”
    Julianna watched Dillon walk away. She had become used to men wanting to help her. Despite her independence, she seemed to be a woman who inspired men’s protective instincts. She had never been sure just why.
    * * *
    GRAY COULD HAVE told her. As he approached the carousel he kept his eyes on Julianna. For all her sophistication, she looked completely defenseless. Small and defenseless and infinitely huggable. With her hair falling down her back like a dark waterfall and her eyes filled with sadness, she looked like a little girl lost in a world of grown-ups.
    She stirred more than his protective instincts, though. She had right from the first time he’d seen her with a Chihuahua in her arms, although it had taken him a long time to admit his very real attraction to her. There was an indefinable essence about Julianna, strength laced with vulnerability, courage laced with uncertainty. Almost from the beginning he had wanted to take anything he could, and at the same time he had wanted to give and give.
    He still did. Crazy as it was, he wanted to take comfort from her, and give comfort, too. Somewhere inside he knew that was the only way either of them would ever find peace. Somewhere
else
inside him he knew he was insane to even think it was possible.
    As if she sensed him watching her, Julianna turned a little to face him directly. Gray’s eyes followed the slender lines of her body from her sandal-shod feet to her eyes. The sadness he had seen was gone, replaced by a wariness that made a chilling contrast.
    He was angry at the walls she had erected so quickly. Clearly she was going to fight him every step of the way. “Where’s your bodyguard?” he asked in frustration.
    “He’s gone to find us accommodations somewhere, if it’s any of your business.” She paused. “Where’s your daughter? Where’s your
wife
?” She stressed the last word.
    He could tell that