But it was Ripley who answered and told her in a voice as cold as a slap that Zack hadn’t returned, that he would be back when he got back.

Now her worry doubled. The storm took on the proportions of a tempest for her. The howl of the wind was no longer musical but full of teeth and threats. The rain was a smothering curtain and the lightning a weapon hurled.

Dark pressed against the windows as if it would break the glass and burst in. The power she’d learned to accept, even to embrace, began to waver like a candle flame under hot breath.

A thousand scenarios raced through her mind, each more horrible than the last. In the end, unable to bear it, she grabbed her jacket. She would go down to the docks, wait for the ferry. Will him to come.

She wrenched open the door in a blast of lightning. In the blind dark that followed, she saw the shadow move toward her. She opened her mouth to scream, then through the scent of rain and wet earth and the sting of ozone, she caught the scent of her lover.

“Zack!” She leaped at him, nearly sending the two of them tumbling off the stoop as he caught both her and his balance. “I’ve been so worried.”

“And now you’re wet.” He carried her into the house. “I picked a hell of a day to go off-island. Bitch of a ferry ride back.” He set her on her feet, then stripped off his soaking jacket. “I’d’ve called, but I couldn’t get my cell phone to connect. That’ll be the last ferry coming or going tonight, in this weather.”

He dragged a hand through his hair, scattered rain.

“You’re soaked to the bone.” And because his shirt was wet, she saw, with relief, the faint outline of the locket just above his heart. “And cold,” she added when she took his hand.

“I’ve got to admit, I’ve been dreaming about a hot shower the last half hour.”

And would have had one by now, he thought, if Ripley hadn’t met him at the front door, interrogated him, then told him Nell had called in a panic.

“Go take one now. Then you can have a bowl of hot soup.”

“Definitely the best offer I’ve had all day.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I’m sorry you worried. You shouldn’t have.”

“Now I’m not. Go on, before you catch cold.”

“Islanders are hardier stock than that.” But he kissed her lightly on the forehead and went straight for the shower.

He left his clothes in a sopping heap on the bathroom floor, turned the spray on hot, and let out a grateful sigh when he stepped in.