Riding Red Read Online Free PDF

nail into the wood that would protect her windows from the advancing storm. She only had two more to do but suddenly silver-white lightning streaked across the sky, striking dangerously close to her home and, more importantly, the spot where she was standing.
    One glance at the metal hammer and nails in her hand told her it was time to give it up. She barely had a chance to slip back inside before another bolt of lightning sliced through the air.
    Teresa shut the door as the storm began to batter her home mercilessly, tossing up a flurry of leaves and dirt in her front yard. She couldn’t stay there alone, she knew that. Not with windows still uncovered and the power out. It was just too dangerous. The two story ranch home had weathered many storms, but this one promised to be violent, worse than any she’d seen in recent years. Besides, BJ and Jackson’s home had been remodelled in the past year for the many hurricanes that ripped through this area, and that was usually where she went whenever she lost power at her place.
    There was just one teeny, teensy, tiny problem with her plan this time. BJ and Jackson weren’t there right now and she wasn’t prepared to encounter the man who was.
    So you’re prepared to risk your life instead?
    Before she could even finish the thought, a rush of thunder reverberated through the house, causing it to tremble. She reached for the telephone…but when she lifted it to her ear, there was nothing but silence. With a frustrated sigh, she slammed the receiver back down. She didn’t even bother reaching for her cell because it was dead, too, having lost its charge an hour ago.
    She would have to drive over there, and best she do it now before the storm got any worse. Within minutes, she’d packed a few items and was just reaching for her purse and keys when she swore she heard her name.
    Thunder crackled again, the roar deafening, and her front door crashed open, wind and rain whipping inside.
    Shaken, Teresa screamed, her eyes widening when a figure loomed in her doorway, the frame of a man obscured by the darkness of the night sky until a flash of lightning illuminated the face of the intruder.
    Jeff?
    “What are you doing here?”
    With a scowl on his face, he closed the distance between them on three angry strides.
    “Didn’t you hear me calling you?”
    She shook her head, a bit taken aback by the anger pouring off him. “No, I can barely hear over this storm.”
    It was as if her words fed his fury, because his features darkened. “I tried to call you, but your phone is out.” He glanced around the room. “I see your power is too. Why didn’t you use your cell to call me, Teresa? It’s not safe for you to stay here tonight.”
    “I know.” She gestured towards the overnight bag she’d hastily packed. “I tried to call you but my cell is dead. I was just about to head over to Cottonmouth now.”
    His cutting eyes told Teresa he didn’t believe her, even though he’d seen her packed bag. Jeff didn’t say a word, his expression still hard as granite, his eyes flashing with simmering anger. Instead, he reached for her bag and ushered her from her home, locking the door behind them.
    Once outside, they raced through the worsening storm to BJ’s truck, which he’d driven over in. She slipped into the seat beside him while he cranked the engine. Teresa’s gaze periodically darted to Jeff as they drove in silence to Cottonmouth Ranch.
    She wanted to question him—really, she just wanted to know why he seemed so upset—but she didn’t dare. Besides, she already had an idea. And if she knew anything about Jeff Downing, it was that he needed no encouragement when he was furious. Whoever he was angry with would know soon enough, and she had a feeling that someone was her.
     
    * * * *
     
    Jeff closed the front door with a soft, almost ominous thud. Teresa turned at the faint sound, her wet hair and clothes plastered to her body. She was a vision before him. He could see