One Summerhill Day (The Summerhill Series Book 1) by Keira Montclair

winter storm warning is in effect until 10 p.m. tonight. Snow, high winds, and squall conditions will approach our region between 7 and 8 p.m. coming from the west, possibly bringing blizzard conditions to our area. Stay tuned for more information.”
    The local TV station interrupted, repeating the storm warning and requesting that people stay off all major roadways. Storms were always dangerous, so they often needed to do overtime at the station to help out with any problems that arose. He called his supervisor. “I just saw the weather report. Do you need me to come in for overtime? I’m available to work tonight.”
    “Thanks, Ryan, but not yet. Haven’t seen the storm yet. Charge your phone though, we may need you before the night is over. They’re expecting high winds, and you know how easily this town loses power.”
    Ryan hung up and plugged his phone and his laptop into his charger. Then he settled back onto his couch, staring at the basketball game he wasn’t watching. He should probably call Cait, make sure she was okay, but he’d only just left her. It was five o’clock, and the storm wouldn’t roll in for a while. Maybe it would be best just to leave her alone for now. He closed his eyes, hoping he wouldn’t see any bombs in his sleep.
    The next time he opened his eyes, all he saw was pitch black. The TV was off, the wind was howling, and his phone was ringing. He brushed the sleep from his eyes and sat up, adjusting his eyes to the darkness. No power. He fumbled his way to the kitchen to unplug his phone.
    He held it up to his ear. “Yeah?”
    Jake was on the other end. “What the hell? Can’t you answer a text?”
    “I was sleeping.”
    “Oh, well, the storm is here. I got called in to work. You?”
    “No. I may have but I missed it. You need me?”
    He heard some talking in the background on the other line. A few moments later, his brother returned to the phone. “Sarge said not yet. May need you later, so get some rest. Do you have power?”
    “No. Is the whole town out?”
    “Power’s out on the west side of the lake and half of Summerhill.”
    “Shit.”
    “What’s wrong?”
    Ryan grabbed his jacket and his keys. “I’m going over to check on Cait.”
    Jake said, “Good idea, but text her first. She may need some candles. Call me if you need anything.”
    “Yep.” Ryan hung up and texted Cait.
    Ryan: You okay?
    Cait: Yes, but no power
    Ryan: Got candles?
    Cait: 1
    Ryan: I’ll be right over.
    Cait: No, Ryan, it’s too dangerous. Stay put. I’ll be fine.
    Ryan: Be right there.
    He shoved his phone in his pocket, grabbed matches and a few candles, including the girly one in the candleholder Mallory had given him, and left.
    ***
    Caitlyn stood in the kitchen in the darkness, staring out the back window that faced the driveway, waiting for Ryan to pull in. Dr. Ramsay had showed her how to unhook the garage door opener manually in case she ever lost power. Thank goodness, because she hadn’t pulled her car into the garage until after she lost power. As soon as she saw Ryan’s lights, she would go open the garage door so he could park in the other space.
    One thing she had already learned about the Ramsay men was that though they were men’s men, they knew how to take care of a woman. She’d known there would be no talking Ryan out of checking on her, so she’d just accepted it. He was a bit stubborn, but she had to admit she was relieved he was coming over. Her husband would have used the slippery roads as an excuse not to help her, but not Ryan. Somehow, she knew he would always go out of his way—even risk his own safety—to be there for her.
    As soon as his headlights appeared in her driveway, she ran out and opened the garage door for him before running back near the door to stay warm. She was still in her sweatpants and sweatshirt, but at least she was warm.
    Ryan climbed out of his car and said, “Are you crazy? I could have done that.” But even in the dark she could