In Your Embrace Read Free

turnstile to find her luggage before emerging into the sweltering heat of the East Coast.  Although she is well accustomed to high daytime temperatures from living in California, Hannah is hardly prepared for the all-consuming humidity that makes the ends of her hair begin to frizz.   Who would have thought September would feel this hot?
    “You’ll get used to it,” Claire says as they follow Andrew toward the parking lot.  Hannah’s hair whips around her face, torn this way and that by the gusting winds.  Along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the breeze never seem to die off.
    They weave through the line of cars inching slowly toward the entrance of the airport.  The sound of incessant honking is easily heard over the winds.  “What’s going on?”
    Andrew looks back over his shoulder.  “Rumor has it there’s a storm brewing off the coast.  Supposed to be a big one.  People started flocking out of here a couple days ago.”
    Hannah purses her lips at the influx of people she’d seen waiting in line at the ticket counters.  “Do you think it will hit?”
    “Nah.”  Andrew shakes his head.  “They usually go around or hit further south of here. We’ll probably get blown around a bit but I doubt there’s much to worry about.”
    Lifting his free arm overhead, Andrew pushes the security button on his key fob.  Claire chuckles beside Hannah and she glances over.  “Am I missing something?”
    Her aunt’s grin makes small lines appear about eyes.  Hannah has always thought Claire is beautiful.  Her own wavy chestnut hair comes from this side of the family, as does her nose, wide, expressive hazel eyes, and quick smile, though her mother tends to lack the same carefree laugh.
    “He’s forgotten where we parked again.”  Claire squeezes Hannah’s arm.  “Third time this week.  I think he’s coming down with a case of old-timers disease.”
    “I’m not deaf you know,” Andrew barks then cries out in triumph as he hears a familiar honk four aisles over.  “See.  Knew where it was all along.”
    Hannah and Claire share a knowing glance and follow silently behind.  By the time they weave their way to the rear end of the Matthew’s rather rusted pick up, which looks like it is long overdue to be put out to pasture, Hannah is more than ready to get going.
    The Outer Banks boasts history, mystery, and waves.  She can't wait to begin exploring. A full month should give her plenty of time to help out and do just that.  Unburdened of her luggage, Hannah sinks into the back seat and closes her eyes.   I’m finally here!
     

TWO
     
     
    Boarding Up
     
     
    It’s been a long week for Timothy Lewis.  It feels like he’s been going nonstop since word of this “storm of the century” first hit the news.  Since then, he’s been helping with hurricane prep work for clients who were loading up cars and getting out of dodge.  His hours have extended well past normal work hours.  Sunday is usually his day off, but today the demand was just too high to ignore.
    He groans as he hefts a sheet of plywood over his shoulder, balancing it upon his head.  Sweat drips down his neck from the dark strands that brush against the collar of his shirt, threatening to curl under.
    Guess I need to go see Joe for a trim after all this storm mess clears up.   He turns, tilting his shoulder to avoid connecting with the corner of the house.  Joe McIntosh has been cutting the Lewis family hair for as long as he can remember.  He has fond memories of the older gentleman sneaking him a sweet while his mom settled up the bill, promising another when he returned a month later.  Sometimes he still does.  Just yesterday, Timothy helped Joe board up his shop before he left town.
    With a grunt, Timothy tosses the plywood onto a pile.  It lands with a satisfying crash.  He leans against a saw horse and wipes his brow with the back of his arm.  Sweat stings his eyes.
    “Looks like you could use a break,”