Higher Ground by Becky Black (notion reading list txt) 📗

beautifully set up a dramatic moment. The sheriff, a great bear of a guy, the big authority bully confronting the more slender Zach, arresting the underdog trying to save them all. As Adam made a break for the fire exit, Korrie at his side, he knew that whatever happened, everyone who watched that moment would never forget it.

Part of him hoped they’d remember it as the night the sheriff arrested that crazy guy Benesh over his crackpot theory about the island sinking.

Chapter Nine

Adam drove away from Korrie’s place. He’d arrived an hour ago, intending to drop her off and leave, but she’d insisted he come in to eat. He hadn’t objected, especially not when she’d taken out a couple of steaks, saying there wasn’t much point in saving them. They’d finished off with ice cream.

“I can’t take it with me,” she’d said. “We might as well enjoy it now.”

He’d left her packing her backpack and readying for the morning.

She’d be there for the rendezvous. But who else would be? Adam turned off the road when he spotted the glow of light on a gate ahead of him. He drove up the track to Eva’s farm and parked right by the door to her house. The windows were dark, but a light came on upstairs when he banged on the door. Behind the door, the dog began barking. Eva leaned out of the window.

“Who’s there? What do you want?”

“Eva!” He stepped back from the door and into the light so she could see him. “It’s Adam Gray. I’m sorry to call so late, but I have to talk to you.” Not so late, barely 21:30, but farmers retired early.

“Adam? Wait there, I’ll be right down.”

Adam paced by the door until a light came on behind it, and it opened to reveal Eva in a red dressing gown and bedroom slippers.

“Can I come in?”

“Adam, for heaven’s sake. I’m in my nightdress.”

He grinned, despite his agitation. “You know you’re perfectly safe from me, despite the obvious temptation.”

“Oh, come in, you terrible boy. What’s all this about?” She closed the door behind him as he walked into the still-warm kitchen. The dog, realizing he was a friend, went back to its basket in the corner of the room.

“Did you go to Dr. Benesh’s meeting at the dome earlier?”

“Yes. I saw you there, helping him out. You should be careful about hitching your wagon to his star. It won’t do you any favors at the Institute. Do you want some coffee?”

“No coffee, thank you.” Adam laughed, feeling as if he wanted to let go and laugh hysterically for an hour or so. “Eva, the Institute, that’s all over. This whole island is over. Didn’t you believe what Zach said?”

“Dr. Morrison and Dr. Phillips got up afterward and explained how it wasn’t confirmed yet and they had to do more tests. They said nothing could happen as quickly as Dr. Benesh claimed.”

“And you believe them?”

“Well, they’re so much more senior.”

“What about Professor Korrie? Isn’t she senior?”

“Ann Korrie’s always been a maverick who likes a bit of trouble.”

Adam groaned and rubbed his hands over his face. She couldn’t just stay here. She couldn’t.

“Eva, please, for me, come with us tomorrow.”

“You know I don’t have time for that nonsense. I have work to do. The crop—”

“The crop will be gone!” He bit his lip and flushed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout. Please, think it through. If he’s right, you’ll die if you stay here. If he’s wrong, well, so what? So you’re away for a few days? The crop will be fine for a few days. You can’t get into any trouble with anyone for leaving.” Unlike himself.

“What about the livestock? And Jess?” She nodded at the dog in its basket.

“You can bring Jess.”

“And the livestock? I can’t climb a mountain with a flock of chickens, Adam.”

Adam grimaced. No. How did he tell her she’d have to leave them to die? “Just promise me you’ll think about it. Please.”

She sighed and tucked her hands into the opposite sleeves. “All right, I’ll think about it. That’s all I can promise.”

“That’s all I’m asking. I’m sorry to get you out of bed. Get some sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning.” He gave her his most charming smile. Surely no woman could resist.

“No promises.”

He wanted to stay and argue for longer, to hustle her into packing tonight, but he didn’t have time. Adam had a lot of friends. He had to get around to all of them before morning.

* * * *

“Coffee?” Deputy Torres handed Zach a mug through the bars of the holding cell. She’d been guarding him all night and had been consistently polite, not even telling him to shut the hell up as he kept on trying to convince her about the threat and that she needed to come with them into the mountains.

“Thank you.” He sipped the coffee.

“I’ll get you some breakfast soon.” She glanced at the windows. “It’s almost dawn.”

Sheriff Statham had come in ten minutes ago after being away a couple of hours, and had taken a mug of coffee outside. He came back in again, still carrying his mug, with Adam hard on his heels. Zach’s heart leaped at the sight. Adam wore the same clothes he’d had on yesterday, rumpled and creased. He looked tired, his hair had gone limp, and he had bristles showing on his chin. But he was beautiful, more beautiful than Zach had ever known a man could be. He wanted to rip aside the bars and run to him. Pull him close. Kiss him. Touch him.

He’d barely thought about their nascent romance the previous day, with so much else to do, all of it urgent. But his need to be with Adam, perhaps the only chance he’d have to do so, suddenly became the most urgent thing in the world. Adam smiled tiredly at him as Zach gripped the bars tight.

“Let him out, Barbara,” Statham said. “Mr. Gray here