Heart of Ash Read Online Free PDF

her onto the seat, in front, and then settled behind her. She leaned against him as the little craft bobbed in the waves. His warmth surrounded her. She shivered. “Just turn the key,” he said, “and gun the throttle.” She did. The engine revved. Then coughed. Then died.
    She pursed her lips. “I think I did it wrong.”
    “Try again.” His breath, fragrant and sweet, caressed her cheek.
    She swallowed and focused and did it again.
    And again, the engine died.
    “Huh,” he grunted. “Let me try.”
    His hands, long-fingered and sure, fiddled with the controls. The engine sputtered, but didn’t catch. He sighed. “I think we might have flooded it.”
    It was getting dark. She glanced at him over her shoulder. “What do we do?”
    “There’s nothing we can do. But wait.”
    She shuddered. The thought of driving across the expanse of water to the main island in the dark was frightening.
    He shrugged. “I guess we could spend the night here.”
    She froze. Apprehension rose. Or maybe it wasn’t apprehension. Maybe it was anticipation. “Sp-spend the night?”
    “We won’t have to camp.” He gave a little laugh. “There’s a cabin.”
    “B-but my friends will be worried.”
    “Did you bring your cell phone? We can call them.”
    “No. Did you bring yours?”
    He shook his head.
    Emily gazed at the main island. It seemed so close, yet so far away.
    Ash got off the Jet Ski and re-tied it to the dock, then settled a somber look on her. “I don’t think we have any option, Em.”
    Normally, she didn’t like nicknames, but she liked when he said it.
    He reached out a hand and she took it, let him help her back onto the dock. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and tugged her close. “Don’t worry,” he said. “It’ll be okay.”
    And she believed him.
     

Chapter Four
     
    The cabin was adorable, nestled as it was in the trees. It was a tiny one-story, but had a lovely porch that hung over the cliff, looking out on the water.
    “There’s no power,” Ash said as he pushed open the door and ushered her in.
    Emily narrowed her eyes against the gloom. She could make out a table by the window and a sofa in front of the fireplace. The interior was rustic at best. She hugged herself as a wave of disquiet swamped her. She was alone with a man. In a cramped cabin. On an isolated island.
    She’d been alone with a man in an isolated spot once before.
    That had been a catastrophe.
    “I’ll start a fire. Can you light those lamps?”
    The sound of his deep voiced snapped her from a dark memory and she started. “Lamps?”
    “I see two on the mantel.”
    Ah. Yes. She swallowed heavily and crossed the room. There were, indeed, two kerosene lamps on the mantel, and a box of matches. She carried them to the table, where there was a hint of sunshine, and worked on trying to figure out how to light them while he set a fire.
    When the first one flared, chasing away the shadows, she felt better. The second illuminated the room even more.
    It was actually quite charming, she decided. Homey. There was a door on the other side of the cabin, which she assumed was a bathroom and another next to it, which was probably a closet. Even as her stomach growled, her gaze stalled on a cupboard by the fireplace. She carried one of the lamps over, opened the door and found it stocked with staples.
    She shot a glance over her shoulder to find Ash watching her. A fire crackled cheerily behind his kneeling form, surrounding him with a warm circle of light. For some reason, the sight of that halo calmed her nerves.
    “We won’t starve,” she said.
    “I’m glad to hear it. What’s in there?” He stood and brushed off his knees and came over to check out the fare.
    “Let’s see. A can of peaches, pancake mix, condensed milk, coffee.” She shot him a grin. “Spam.”
    “Spam?”
    “Spam, spam, spam, spam,” she sang, delighted when he laughed.
    “Ooh, caviar.” He pulled out a fancy jar.
    She wrinkled her