Texas Temptation by Bárbara McCauley

the counter again, then swore and kicked a pillow he’d thrown earlier, pretending it was that weasel Fitzer’s head.
    What the hell was taking so long? It was after seven; the permit department had been closed for two hours. Why hadn’t she called?
    He needed to hear her voice. Even if it was no news. Even if it was bad news. He just wanted to hear that soft sexy voice of hers and know that she was all right. That she would be coming back soon.
    He paused at the flash of lightning. The rain started off as a murmur and quickly escalated to a shout, pounding the trailer roof with brutal force. Thunder shook the walls.
    He felt trapped. He had to do something. Anything.
    He reached for the bottle.
    * * *
    It was after eight by the time Annie pulled in front of Jared’s trailer. The rain had settled into a heavy consistent staccato, and an occasional streak of lightning illuminated the dark sky. She started to get out of her car, then realized it was dark inside the trailer and Jared’s truck was gone. Disappointment was like a dull knife in her chest. She’d driven straight here from Midland, not even bothering to stop in town first.
    Where was he? In town maybe, but she doubted that. He’d been staying close to the rig since the disaster with Fitzer. She’d been able to reach him here or at the rig.
    Which left the rig. But what would he be doing there at this hour? And in this rain?
    With a weary sigh, she turned her car around and headed for the oil well. She was tired and hungry and desperately wanted a hot shower. But first she had to see Jared. It couldn’t wait.
    As she neared the office, she could see a light on in the trailer. So he was working. She shook her head, wondering why that should surprise her.
    She’d missed him. She’d told herself she was an idiot, but it didn’t make any difference. Every time she’d called him, just before they’d hang up, she’d have the crazy urge to tell him, but she didn’t. She couldn’t.
    He was in there now. She could picture him sitting at the desk, his dark hair rumpled, his brow furrowed, his deep blue eyes intense as he studied a chart or a log. She smiled at the image, and her pulse jumped at the thought of seeing him.
    She cut the engine of her car and stepped out, preparing to make a mad dash to the office. Thunder rattled the heavens and lightning struck no more than fifty yards away from the rig, illuminating the entire area.
    Startled, Annie turned. The derrick glowed from the flash of light and on the platform was the silhouette of a man dressed in black, his coat billowing behind him like the wings of a raven, his arms outstretched.
    She froze, staring up at the apparition.
    It can’t be, it can’t be...
    She’d seen this in her nightmares—Jonathan up on the platform of the rig, his gaze locked with hers as he stepped to the edge. She’d open her mouth to scream, but no sound would come out....
    She tried to scream now, but it was the same as her dream—no sound came out. She squeezed her eyes shut and fell to her knees in the mud. It wasn’t him. It wasn’t possible....
    Rain soaked her clothes and hair. She opened her eyes again, but all she saw was blackness now.
    â€œAnnie!”
    When someone grabbed her arms and pulled her up, she did scream.
    â€œAnnie, it’s me, Jared.”
    â€œJared?” she said weakly, then swayed. He tightened his hold on her and hauled her into his arms. She started to shake.
    â€œJared, I thought you were... I thought that...” She wrapped her arms around him.
    â€œI know,” he said against her ear. “I know. I’m sorry.”
    He pulled her into her car and climbed in beside her. They were both soaking wet. Neither one of them spoke while he drove them back to his place. The rain and her teeth chattering were the only sounds.
    â€œDo you have any clothes in the car?” he asked as he pulled in front