Stealing the Groom Read Online Free PDF Page B

with Chad and the full Walker family fortune.
    Trying to occupy her mind with thoughts other than worries over Chad’s future, Amelia opened the cupboard and searched for some bowls.
    “Why don’t you attempt to start another gourmet meal and I’ll set the table. Then maybe I can scrounge up something for us to wear.”
    He quirked his brow at her. “I thought you said you didn’t bring any clothes for either of us. Did you forget you packed for my kidnapping?”
    She laughed. “No, but I’m sure my grandfather has something around here that can pass for dry, wearable clothing.”
    Lightning flashed, illuminating the cabin, and Amelia gave a squeak of surprise.
    Seconds later, the lights went out.
    Before she could ask Chad if he was all right, his voice reached her in the dark.
    “Great,” Chad said. “We’re wet, hungry, and in the dark. What else could possibly go wrong?”
    Nature lit up the room again for a split second before a deafening boom shook the cabin. A loud tearing sound followed by a heavy crash rent the air. Metal screeched on metal, the noise as irritating as fingernails raking down a chalkboard.
    In the dark, Amelia groped her way to the window by the door and peered out. She took a step backward when another flash of lightning streaked across the sky, allowing her to see outside.
“You want the bad news or the good news first?” she asked.
    “The bad,” Chad said, his tone wary.
    “The bad news is lightning hit the tree by the driveway and it fell across the front of your family’s limousine. It’s pretty well flattened.”
    “And the good news?” Chad’s voice was soft, as though he was battling for control.
    “The good news is we weren’t in it.”

Chapter Three
    “I suppose saying ‘I told you so’ doesn’t help, but don’t you think a plan would come in handy right about now?” Chad’s breath stirred her damp hair, causing Amelia to jerk. Because the wooden floor was covered with thick, hand-woven rugs, she hadn’t heard his approach.
    She backed up so the warmth of his chest was against her back. “How could I have planned for the one-in-a-million possibility a tree would take up residence in the limousine? There’s no way to predict things like that,” she said.
    “A good plan always has a backup, a plan B if you will,” he replied. “Plans need a built-in escape clause in case something goes wrong with the first plan.”
    “I have a plan B.” Amelia crossed her arms and tried to see the extent of damage done to their ride home with the streaks of lightning flashing across the sky. From what she could tell, the large tree had landed directly across the driver’s side, folding the roof into a vee shape.
    “May I ask what exactly your plan B is?”
    “Stay dry and warm in the cabin tonight and leave on foot at first light. We can walk to civilization and arrange a ride to get a rental car. How’s that?”
    “The leaving at first light? Not very appealing,” Chad grumbled. “And there’s no phone here? Seriously?”
    “As a matter of fact, no, there isn’t a phone. Walking is our only way out unless you have a better idea?”
    “I’ll see if the tree spared the phone inside the back of the limousine. If it did, I’ll call out and arrange for someone to pick us up. We could be soaking in a warm tub of water within a few hours, laughing about the events of the evening.”
    Amelia considered his idea. “And if the phone doesn’t work?”
    “Then of course we move on to commonly overused plan C.”
    “Which would be…?”
    “Panic.”
    Lightning illuminated the room, giving everything a ghostly hue, and Amelia felt Chad’s body stiffen. His fingers gripped her elbow. “Amelia, the room is filling up with smoke.”
    Amelia squinted, attempting to see her surroundings with each flash of lightning. The view was too foggy, but she could feel the air thickening, burning her throat. “What’s wrong?”
    Chad moved toward the fireplace. “I think the