Read Online Plundered Christmas by Susan Lyttek - Free Book Online Page A

in answer to the turmoil in my mind and heart, the wind began to spin around us even more. It imitated a rocket at takeoff.
    Dad looked concerned when I asked him about Margo. “We called emergency services, but it will be at least an hour, maybe two before they can get here. A nor’easter is bearing down on us. And even if they get here, they might not be able to get out again to take her to the nearest medical facility in Florida. It all depends on the strength of the storm.”
    “But how’s she doing?”
    “Well,” Dad admitted, “James got the bleeding to stop, but her shoulder is still a mess.” He ran a hand through his silver hair. “I can’t for the life of me figure out how or why she got in that water. She’s been on this island her entire adult life. She knows the hazards. There’s no way she would go into the water willingly over there. And fully dressed? It makes no sense.”
    I had to agree. Something wasn’t adding up. In addition, since Margo was still unconscious, we couldn’t ask her why she was down at the docks or who might have seen or caused what happened.
    Rather than carry her upstairs to her room, they had laid her on the largest of the three couches in the living room. It happened to be the one that sat directly under the tree. The lights flashed on her pale face.
    Mary knelt next to her mother and held her hand. Concern filled the young woman’s face.
    Charlie came up behind me and cleared his throat. “Ma’am?”
    I turned around. The all-around servant looked so tired. “Yes, Charlie?”
    “The Coast Guard just called, ma’am. The storm is blowing in faster than they forecasted and they can’t get here. They did want to make certain the mistress was stabilized.”
    This wasn’t good. “Is there anyone we can talk to? Even if we could get some real medical advice on how to treat her…”
    “Yes, ma’am, they did leave a number. Also, if we still have Internet, they gave us a web address in which a doctor on call can view her.” He handed me the piece of paper with the number and website on it. “In the meantime, we have been instructed to stay inside and do what we can to stay safe. It’s supposed to come in nearly as hard as a hurricane.”
    What were the odds? I thought. Hurricane season ended over a month ago, so I thought it would be safe and warm out here. And instead, we have an injured woman and a dangerous storm on the way.
    God, what are you trying to teach me?
     
     
     
     

6
     
    After I passed on the news of what Charlie had said to everyone present, Dad said we should get everyone into the living room so that we would stay safe and accountable. He also asked Charlie to do what he could about starting a fire.
    The great room we were in had one fireplace on the west end now displaying Dad’s handiwork above the mantel. Next to the great hearth sat a pile of logs and kindling cut to various sizes.
    Margo had told me that they traditionally lit a fire on Christmas night and sang carols. Well, this year, the fire would happen a day early.
    Most everyone was already there.
    Jelly was on the porch so I went to go get him. The canine companionship would make me feel better at a time like this. I also ducked outside with him quickly to get him to do his business before the weather turned from worrisome to dangerous. Even close to the house, the wind was terrifying. I don’t think I’d ever seen him tinkle so quickly. Well, maybe during the snowstorm last March. Only obedience to me kept him from racing back inside before he finished.
    When we returned, Dad had gathered everyone he could find.
    Oddly, William and his mother Anne were nowhere to be found.
    The captain of the yacht, Eric Blake, came in from the back quarters as did the cook, Mrs. Smith, and her helper, a quiet, mousy and unassuming girl named Juliana.
    Frank and Aimee stayed off to themselves talking. When Justin asked to check in on Uncle Frank, I urged him to leave them be. They had a lot of