His words proved to be true. In our first hour at the station the phones didn't stop ringing. Buttercup and I jumped in to help Vanessa field calls as much as we could. Everyone who had waited to evacuate were now demanding instructions on what they should do. Our job was to instruct them on the safest routes out of town since new road closures were being reported every few minutes. Every patrol person at the station was out with crews trying to keep the roads clear, but as the storm continued pushing inland it began to feel like we were fighting a winless battle.
With the outer bands of the storm wreaking havoc on the coastline, evacuations hit a new sense of urgency as the wind viciously whipped around the building, moaning like some sort of monster. My desire to be outside changed when I peeked out the front door and saw someone's patio table blowing down the road. The glass top was missing, making the aluminum frame easy to lift. I watched in awe as it struck a palm tree with enough force to make the frame bend around the tree. A second later, a stray shopping cart from the drugstore on the corner rolled across the parking lot and slammed into the side of one of the patrol vehicles. It was like a scene from some disaster movie.
"People were warned to secure lightweight belongings," Josh said, sneaking up behind me. "I guess they didn't listen, huh?"
"It looks really bad out there. I wasn't expecting it to be this intense. The wind has turned into a serious beast. I'm used to tornados that are a quick in-and-out type of thing, but this is serious stuff."
He squeezed my shoulder. "This is just the beginning. Unfortunately, these slower storms can last hours."
"And this happens every year?" I asked, wondering if living beachfront was worth the trouble.
"Not every year," he laughed. "It's been, like, five years since we had a serious storm we had to worry about. Normally, several tropical storms form out in the Atlantic, but they fall apart before they turn into a hurricane and make it to shore. I guess you could say we were due," he said. His words were chilling, like he was saying devastating hurricanes were just a matter of time.
Josh placed an arm across my shoulders, pulling me against him. His body heat comforted me like a warm blanket. "Are you cold?" he asked, rubbing my bare arm. "Or scared?"
Snuggled up to his chest, I couldn't help thinking that if I tipped my head back slightly our lips would meet. I'd be all for it, but Josh would have to make the bold move first. Anyone watching could tell there was something between us, but making out in the patrol station might be taking it a step too far. "Both," I finally answered.
"Don't worry about the storm. This is a tough town. Some of these houses are over a hundred years old. Turtle Bay isn't going anywhere," he said, rubbing a hand over my goose bump-covered arm. "There's probably some jackets or sweatshirts in the supply closet. If you ask Vanessa I'm sure she'd get you one."
"Yo, Josh, we need you," Mitch called out, stepping from his office.
Josh gave me one last squeeze before releasing me. "I'll be back soon," he said, flashing a grin.
I turned around to find that Buttercup and Vanessa had both witnessed the exchange between Josh and me. Vanessa winked while trying to attend to the caller on the phone line. Buttercup smirked satisfactorily. I knew that look well. I was sure she felt she and Butch had something to do with getting Josh and me together. She would be expecting details when things calmed down.
The heavy rains continued to fall, blowing sideways into the reception area every time the patrol officers walked in and out through the door. The tile floor began to look like a pigpen from the mud and sand being tracked inside. In between passing notes to Mitch or handing out his assignments when he was on the phone, I stayed busy mopping up the water so no one would slip. Buttercup helped out, becoming the gofer for anyone who needed anything. As the conditions outside continued to deteriorate, flooding on the streets became an issue. Mitch stood in the break room in front of large maps of the city coordinating over the phone with the sheriff's department to establish alternate routes around town.
By early afternoon evacuations had to be suspended due to the high winds that no longer made it safe for the busses to travel. The street in front of the station, covered in a steady flow of water, looked more like a stream than a road. I realized they were doing their jobs, but I felt bad for the patrol officers who barely had time to rest between calls. Butch remained with either Josh or Larry and each time they returned to the station, I felt like I could breathe again. Josh would shoot me a wink and a smile, letting me know all was good. The day was hectic and scary and the majority of the time my stomach remained tied up in knots, but I was glad we had decided not to evacuate.
Finally, Josh and I found a spare moment to sneak off to a private corner so we could grab a quick bite to eat in between calls.
"How is it out there?" I asked, taking a nibble from my sandwich since that's all my stomach would allow.
"Uh, wet and windy," he joked.
I threw a chip at him. "I guessed that much."
"The town is a mess, but it's actually pretty awesome in an 'appreciating Mother Nature' kind of way. If that makes sense. She is definitely showing her strength with this storm. I've lived here all my life and I've never seen waves this high or the sky looking the way it does out there. I've got mad respect."
If it wasn't for all the flooding and damage happening, I would say Josh was right in his element the way
he described the scene outside with such enthusiasm. "The way you talk about it makes me wish I could go out with you," I said wistfully. The storm frightened me, but I was also morbidly intrigued. Some of the other patrol officers had claimed the ocean was washing over the bottom steps of some of the beachfront houses. The idea that the water had moved that far inland sent shivers up my spine, but I still wanted to see it for myself.
"No way. Mitch would have my head if I took you out."
"I know, but maybe we could—" I continued excitedly, but he cut me off, shaking his head.
"For one thing, there's no way I'm jeopardizing your safety like that. And two, I wouldn't want to compromise my position here."
Of course he was right. Even though it sucked. "I wouldn't ask you to risk your job," I said, brushing away the lock of hair that had escaped my ponytail. I winced when my fingers grazed my sore eye.
Josh reached over and gently lifted the lock of hair, tucking it behind my ear without touching my injured face. "See. You can't even handle your hair right now," he teased. "Kidding," he added when I glared at him from my one good eye. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay. I kinda want to slug Evan for giving me this," I said, pointing to my eye.
"Get in line. As a matter of fact, I'll do it for you so you don't bruise your knuckles," he said, lifting my hand. I held my breath as he softly grazed my knuckles with his lips. It was the lightest of touches, but made my insides practically liquefy.
I struggled to remember what we were talking about, but my mind seemed distracted by one thought—Josh's lips. "Hey, wait, you can't hit him," I finally said as he leaned in close toward my mouth.