A Sea Too Far Read Online Free Page B

shutters to focus on the beach. When he and his mother had left the dory, there was a wide expanse of sand behind the boat. A flash of lightning burst across the rear of the house. Thunder immediately shook the room. Driving rain peppered the walls. Warren squinted through the water-splattered glass and drew a surprised breath. Waves were lapping at the transom of the boat. The island was rapidly sinking into the sea.
    * * *
    A cannon shot sounded beside the house as a tall palm snapped in the wind. A loud thud announced the violent arrival of the broken tree on the roof. A prolonged howl of wind screeched around the house, and rain sputtered under the back door from the driving gale.
    Warren looked with nervous anticipation at his mother. Conchshell slithered under the coffee table and folded her front paws over her head.
    “Let’s try to call Dad,” Warren said in a cracking voice.
    “I’ll try the cell phone,” Rhonda said. “The land line won’t work.”
    She snapped open the cover and stared at the screen. A NO SERVICE message greeted her worried eyes.
    “He can’t do anything for us, honey,” Rhonda offered with a shrug. “We’ll be fine. The house is strong and the roof seems to be in good shape. Why don’t we try to eat something and then head for bed? By morning the storm should be gone.”
    Rhonda transferred the food from the gradually warming refrigerator to the cooler of ice. She made sandwiches and poured iced tea and tried to establish as much normalcy with the meal as possible. Conchshell was served a full bowl of cold food, but the dog seemed disinterested in the sustenance.
    “I hope everyone on the island is safe,” Warren sighed as he carried his plate to the kitchen. “This hurricane is terrible.”
    Rhonda nodded her agreement. “I’ve seen a few hurricanes in past years, but this is the worst I’ve ever experienced,” she said.
    A steady blast of wind pummeled the house at 120 miles-per-hour. Periodic gusts whistled even faster. Enormous drops of rain tore horizontally through the air and cracked against the shutters and walls like bullets fired from a gun. Bolts of lightning split the black sky and explosive blasts of thunder followed almost immediately. Warren could feel the booming claps press against his chest. Conchshell whined and cringed with each crash.
    Trees snapped and smacked against the house. Sand and debris sailed unimpeded through the air and battered the shuttered windows.
    “Why don’t we go to bed and try to sleep through the storm,” Rhonda suggested. “There’s nothing we can do sitting here in the living room.”
    Warren looked at his mother and saw her fatigue. He yawned and realized he was tired. He and Conch had spent the entire day on their feet exploring and fishing. Pushing the dory up the beach across the poles had been strenuous. Sitting in the darkness and listening to the storm swirl around them was stressful.
    “That’s a good idea, Mom,” he said with a deep sigh. “Come on, Shelly girl. Let’s go up to bed.”
    Rhonda kissed her son warmly on the cheek and patted him on the shoulder. “Everything’s going to be fine,” she said. “You’ll see. Maybe you can read a little of your book about pirates by the light of the storm lantern. That might help put you to sleep.”
    “I’ll try it, Mom,” Warren answered. “I’m almost finished. Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Rhonda watched Warren disappear up the stairs. She held a lantern with a slowly shrinking candle. “I’ll be right behind you. I just want to have a final look around.”
    Satisfied that the house was secure, Rhonda carried the lantern to her bedroom and sat heavily on the mattress. Her eyes drooped with fatigue but her mind raced with worry. She needed to rest. Tomorrow would be very difficult cleaning up after the storm. People might be hurt and require assistance. Could she fall asleep?
    Reluctantly she padded to the bathroom, opened the medicine