Chapter 3 - When the Storm Brought Back Her Past
The storm arrived without warning.
By sunset, clouds swallowed the mountains.
Wind tore through the vines, carrying dirt against the windows.
Eva stood on the porch watching the sky.
“I didn’t think it rained here.”
Aleandro carried tools inside.
“It remembers how every once in a while.”
Thunder rolled across the valley.
Eva stiffened.
Aleandro noticed but said nothing.
Rain began violently.
For the first time since Aleandro arrived, the dry earth darkened.
They ate dinner while water hammered the roof.
Eva barely touched her food.
“You okay?”
“Fine.”
She wasn’t.
Another thunderclap shook the house.
Eva's fork struck the plate.
Aleandro changed the subject.
“When this place produces grapes again, we’re making wine.”
Eva looked at him.
“You know how?”
“No.”
“Excellent business plan.”
“I’ve had worse.”
That earned a small smile.
Then the generator died.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Eva screamed upstairs fifteen seconds later.
Aleandro found the flashlight and ran.
Her bedroom was empty.
“Eva?”
A sound came from the linen closet.
He opened the door.
She had folded herself between blankets, knees pressed against her chest.
“No, Tyler.”
Aleandro crouched.
“Eva.”
“Please.”
“You’re here.”
“I’m sorry.”
“A vineyard. Remember?”
She did not respond.
Aleandro aimed the flashlight downward.
“Listen to me.”
Her hands covered her ears.
He moved closer.
“Eva, it’s Aleandro.”
Nothing.
He placed one hand on her shoulder.
She jerked.
Then froze.
“Feel my hand.”
Her eyes opened.
“That's real.”
Slow breath.
“The rain is real.”
Another breath.
“The closet is real.”
Her eyes found his.
“Tyler isn’t here.”
Tears ran down her face.
“Breathe with me.”
Aleandro inhaled slowly.
Eva followed.
Again.
Again.
Eventually her shoulders lowered.
She leaned forward until her forehead touched his arm.
Aleandro remained still.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“You keep apologizing.”
“I hate being like this.”
“You survived something.”
She looked up.
“That’s not weakness.”
His thumb accidentally brushed her cheek.
Eva's breath caught.
For a moment neither moved.
Something changed between them.
Something quiet.
Dangerous in an entirely different way.
Eva pulled back.
“I need air.”
Aleandro stood immediately.
“I’ll fix the generator.”
Ten minutes later the lights returned.
Eva had gone to her room.
The door remained open.
That night Aleandro understood two things.
Tyler Grant had hurt her badly enough that darkness could return her to another place.
And Aleandro wanted Tyler Grant very far away from her.
May you like
Forever.
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