Page 32 of Still Afraid

She hit the power button and lowered her phone. “You aren’t wrong.”

“I know I’m not.” He winked at her, which elicited the smile he had hoped for.

She lifted her plate to him. “I can’t eat any more. Can you put this somewhere for me?”

“Of course. Go distract the kids. I don’t think Ryland is feeling as brave as he’s trying to pretend to be.”

“On it.” Chloe stood, hands still trembling slightly, and walked over to Ryland. “Will you play cards with me?”

“Sure.” The almost-eight-year-old’s voice cracked slightly.

Josh turned and took Chloe’s plate to a counter at the back of the room. Lord, help her lean into You. Give me wisdom for how to be what she needs me to be.

Chapter Ten

Chloe reshuffled the deck of cards. Ryland had demolished her in the first hand, and she insisted on a rematch. This time his big sister, Caroline, joined them.

Playing cards was distracting, but she really wanted to be over there watching the storm on her dad’s computer. Not that doing so would decrease her anxiety.

Josh was probably right. He usually was. Distraction was most helpful at this point.

She dealt the cards to the three of them, and Ryland took the first turn.

Poirot bolted away from Jesse’s three-year-old and came over and curled up next to Chloe. She suppressed a chuckle. The lab was great with the kids but tired of them quickly. Chloe stroked him while Caroline took her turn.

Chloe selected a card, but before she could place it on the deck, the lights went dark.

Chloe froze.

In the three seconds before flashlights and lanterns clicked on, several kids screamed. The youngest two cried.

Chloe registered Aliza and Kelsey comforting the little ones, but she sat frozen. She couldn’t move. Poirot nudged her cheek with his nose. When she didn’t respond, he did it again.

She took in what was happening around her, but her body and brain felt too stuck to respond.

Poirot whimpered and nudged her harder, and she snapped out of it. She turned and looked at Poirot, who licked her face. “Eww. Was that really necessary?”

He panted a happy reply.

She nuzzled the dog. “Thanks, buddy.”

Hopefully no one saw her freeze up. Lanterns now glowed around the room, but the glow was pale compared to the overhead light that had been on before. Without power, the option of putting on a movie to ride out the storm was out of the question.

Caroline rested her hand on Chloe’s arm. “Are you all right, Aunt Chloe?”

She met the preteen’s gaze. “I think so. Are you?”

“Yeah, but I’m not so sure about Ryland.”

Chloe released Poirot and looked over at the boy. He was hugging his knees and looking as frozen as Chloe had felt a moment ago.

“Hey, Ryland?” Chloe scooted over next to him. “It’s all right.”

“I’m … I’m fine. I’m not scared.”

“You can’t be brave if you aren’t a little scared.”

His far-off stare broke, and he looked up at Chloe. “That don’t make a lick of sense.”