After the Dawn by Francis Ray

surrounded by darkness. Even the landscape lights were turned off.
    It was mean-spirited of her uncle to turn off the lights, but to her, it showed how petty and unhappy he was. Thinking back, she recalled that on weekends when she had been growing up, his family slept late while hers was up and enjoying one another. On Sundays, it had been the same thing. Even though she had lost her parents, she had been loved and had memories to cherish. Sadly, she didn’t think her uncle’s family had any. She felt sorry for them.
    Dillon would call her crazy for thinking that way. But she had wasted years being angry when she should have been grateful. Marlene would understand. Samantha liked his mother, admired her for her strength and tenacity. It hadn’t been easy for her or for Dillon.
    They admired courage. Since Samantha wanted them to admire her, she had better put a steel rod in her backbone.
    After putting the car in drive, she drove around back, parked in the garage, got out, went inside and flicked on the light in the kitchen. She didn’t stop until she stood in front of the control panel for the lighting. As she’d known, the dial had been switched from automatic to off. After resetting the timer, she hit the stairs.
    In front of her uncle and aunt’s bedroom door, Samantha rapped sharply. She knocked again when long seconds passed and no one had answered.
    The door jerked open. Clearly irritated, her aunt stared down her nose at Samantha. “What do you want?”
    â€œI reset the timer of the landscape lights to automatic. I don’t intend to reset it again.” Samantha’s voice was just as abrupt as her aunt’s. “Good night.”
    Ignoring the anger in her aunt’s face, Samantha headed for the stairs, a smile on her face.

 
    Five
    Dillon had a strong talk with his libido that night, so the next morning, when he walked into Abe’s old office to find Samantha sitting behind her grandfather’s desk looking beautiful and outrageously tempting, he almost regretted that Evan wasn’t there so he could tear him a new one. He needed to vent some pent-up emotions, and not the way his body wanted.
    â€œGood morning, Dillon,” she greeted cheerfully.
    â€œGood morning.” He stopped in front of her desk. He had no intention of being swayed by the entreaty or thankfulness in her face and voice. This was business.
    â€œThe first thing is to see where the bleeding is—and that means a look at the financial records.”
    Nodding, she jotted something on the notepad he was beginning to think was attached to her. She really was clueless. How could Abe have put her in such a position? He knew she didn’t have the experience or the toughness.
    She has you. He could clearly hear his mother say those three irritating words.
    Although he hadn’t said anything further, Sam sat patiently waiting for him to go on. She had faith in him. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
    â€œI’ve asked Roman Santiago, one of the best C.P.A.s in the state, to come in and look over the accounts.” Dillon took a seat in front of the desk. “I want it kept quiet. I don’t want the employees worried or some other company getting wind that Collins might be vulnerable and mounting a takeover.”
    â€œThey’ll know when he looks at the books,” she said with a frown.
    â€œIf they want to keep their jobs, they’ll keep quiet,” Dillon told her. “I’ll speak to them personally. In the meantime, he’ll look at who’s buying and who we’ve lost as clients.”
    Sam made another notation. “What can I do?”
    â€œLook cute.”
    Sam’s head jerked up. Annoyance flared in her incredible brown eyes.
    Dillon was just as annoyed. The words had just slipped out.
    â€œI can do more than that,” she huffed.
    Since he’d stuck his foot in his mouth, and hoping she wouldn’t think he was