Jorden knew he was using delaying tactics. She frowned but rolled the ball down the lane.

The moment they stepped out of the bowling alley; they were in the center of a superstorm. It had been sunny at noon, but now the visibility was non-existent. The skies were dark with heavy rain.

“You can’t drive in this.” Alex grabbed her hand while they raced to his car.

“What am I going to do?”

“Stay another night. We can check back into the Sawyer Inn,” Alex replied.

Jorden looked frightened. “I don’t want to lose my job. I’m not worried about where we stay, but what will I tell my principal? I’m supposed to be at Grandma Marshall’s home in Lockton. Maybe the weather isn’t so bad there.”

“I know—tell your principal your clutch failed. You can’t get it replaced until Monday, and you’ll be back on Tuesday. What can he say?”

Jorden frowned. “Since I can’t drive back in these conditions, I’ll try it.”

“Let’s go back to the Sawyer Inn, and I’ll get us a room. You can call him from there rather than use a pay phone. The sooner you do it; the better you’ll feel.”

Nervously, Jorden dialed Mr. Rinehart’s number. Thankfully, she had a copy of the school directory. She hated to lie, but felt she had no other choice. Her hands shook when it was over.

“He . . . he . . . believed me. Mr. Rinehart accepted my explanation. He said he’d arrange for a substitute.” Jorden sighed with relief.

“I told you he’d understand.” Alex beamed. “Now we have another night together.”

“I think you ordered this storm.”

“See how powerful I am? I’ll do anything to keep you with me,” Alex said as he laughed.

“Don’t push your luck. I’m leaving first thing in the morning.”

“Good timing, my first class starts at eight. Its five thirty now. How about dinner? Because the weather’s so horrible, let’s stay and eat at the hotel,” Alex suggested.

“I won’t argue with you.” Jorden leaned back feeling much more relaxed.

An early dinner of chicken and dumplings, comfort food, helped put Jorden in a better mood. Alex unlocked their door, stepped in behind her, and closed his arms around her as he leaned forward to caress her neck.

“I love you,” Alex said softly. The room was dark, but lights sprung in from outside. Rain pounded against the window, lightning flashed, and thunder roared. Alex’s arms tightened around her waist. Jorden stood still until Alex began swaying back and forth to the rhythm of the rain.

“It’s been so long,” Alex whispered.

“I know, but . . . we can’t.” Jorden struggled to get the words out.