September Storm by Brenda Jernigan

them for their meager breakfast of bagels and coffee, and then they were off.
     
     
    Only one golf cart remained operational, and Adrian started it while he waited for Danielle. He placed several beach towels over the wet seats in hopes of keeping their clothing dry.
    Adrian had mixed emotions today.  He needed to get back to work, but despite the major catastrophe he’d just experienced, he felt more relaxed than he had in years.
    And he wondered if the woman walking toward him had had anything to do with his laid-back attitude.  Even in the midst of all this debris, she was like a soft, glowing light that made everything seem right.  Dani was special.
    And because she was, he'd say goodbye and leave her to the nice life she had planned. He, on the other hand, would go back to the corporate jungle and bury himself in work, settle his messy divorce, and go out on a date every now and then.
    Life would be simple.  Planned out--and mechanical.
    Life would be dull.
    "Hop in," Adrian said as Dani eyed the less-than-perfect vehicle.  "I think I've fixed it so your clothes won't get too wet."
    Adrian guided the cart slowly down the street, dodging debris and potholes.  The power crews had arrived, and several men were perched up on poles securing lines.
    "This could have been so much worse," Adrian commented.
    "It looks like a bomb went off in places.  Yet, others have only slight damage.  And look at all the debris."
    "The newer homes were built to stricter hurricane codes.”  Adrian looked around.  “All in all, I'd say we were lucky."  They pulled into Sandy Lane.  "There she is."
    "At least, the house is still standing," Dani said in a rush.  Until that time she hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath, expecting the worse.  "Oh, look, the gazebo is still intact."
    "The only problem is the deck leading to it seems to be missing."  He turned to her, and his hand came down over hers possessively.  "I think the house is pretty sturdy, but I want you to promise me you'll be careful just the same."
    When they entered the house, Dani almost cried.  The once beautifully-decorated house had furniture turned upside down, and a blue shell crab scurried across sodden carpet.  Seaweed dripped from some of the light fixtures, and a musty odor permeated the atmosphere.
    Dani wrinkled her nose with dismay."Oh my God.  What a mess!  How are the owners ever going to fix this?"
    "Guess I’ll have to ask them,” Adrian said.  “I’m sure it will have to be gutted, then refurbished.  This time steel doors and shutters will be installed so this won't happen again."
    Dani maneuvered through the mess to the bedroom to try and find her luggage.  After a few minutes, she located her Pullman, but not her purse.  She began to panic as she looked under the upturned bed, in the bathroom, everywhere she could think to look, and could find nothing.
    Her plane ticket, her credit cards, her driver's license, and money.  All of it!  Everything was gone!  She turned and bumped into Adrian, who had been standing behind her.
    "My plane ticket.  My purse.  It's gone."
    "I imagine your bag got washed out the door," he said matter of factly.
    She clutched his arm.  "You don't seem to grasp the situation.  My money is gone.  How am I going to get home?"
    His mouth quirked with humor.  "I guess you'll just have to live with me."
    "I'm serious."
    "So am I."
    She blew out a short breath.  This wasn't a time to joke – even if the thought of living with him was more than a little tempting.  "I don't have any money!"
    "Don't get in a tizzy.  I'll buy you another ticket."
    "I can't take money from you."
    "Then we're back to the original offer."
    "I wish you'd be serious."
    "Look."  He put his arm around her shoulders and moved her back to the bedroom.  "I'll lend you the money, and you can pay me back.  Will that ease your conscience?"
    She hesitated. "Just as long as I can pay you back."
    Once they were settled, they