Last Chance Motel 1 (Last Chance Romance Series) (13 page)

Eva had to admit that Dennis was saving her money. Even when she tried to pay him, Dennis refused and said it was the least he could do for her. He was making it very hard for her to let him go . . . permanently.

“It’s really windy out there,” announced Dennis. He looked in a mirror to straighten his hair.

Eva stepped outside and looked around. It was indeed more windy than usual. She walked across Highway 1 to the ocean side and could see the sea was choppy.
Hmmm
, thought Eva. She turned and went back to the motel. This time she went to the bay. It too was choppy, which was very unusual for the bay side.

Concerned, Dennis watched her return deep in thought. “What is it?”

“I think I better turn on the weather station,” replied Eva, looking at the sky.

The sun was shining brightly in the brilliant blue sky. Not a cloud could be seen.

“It’s probably just a squall, but better safe than sorry.”

“What’s a squall?” asked Dennis.

“Nothing for you to be concerned about.”

Not convinced, Dennis ran out and raised the roof on his Mercedes convertible. He was not taking any chances, squall or no squall.

E
va checked the local radio station, which stated that a tropical depression was headed their way. She then went on the computer and saw the same message. Giving a sigh of relief, Eva went about her business. Tropical depressions were something she could handle. A hurricane was a different matter.

Her guests stayed close to the motel, swimming in the lagoon or the pool. The ocean was too choppy to go snorkeling or kayaking. The deep-sea fishing and diving boats were still running, but Eva noted that more and more boats were coming in and docking.

When she noticed that one of her deck chairs had blown into the bay, she retrieved it and studied the sky again. It looked gray and angry now. Eva went back in the office and turned on the radio. It was still saying a depression had formed and was heading for the Keys.

Eva felt uneasy. She not only had the Pink Flamingo to think about, but her guests as well. Her clients depended on her for their well-being and safety while they were staying at the Pink Flamingo. Eva didn’t want to get them caught in something that was dangerous.

She got in her truck and drove over to Aussie Jack’s.

There were more cars than usual for the daytime she noticed as she parked. Looking around back, Eva saw a parade of boats of all types tied up at the dock.

She spied Jack storing cases of soft drinks in his storage shed.

“Hey there, Sheila,” teased Aussie Jack.

“Hello,” greeted Eva smiling. “Can I bother you for a beer?”

“Sure thing. Let’s go inside, though. Too windy out here.”

Eva followed Aussie Jack to the bar inside the restaurant. He quickly poured her drink and then joined Eva on a barstool.

The restaurant was packed.

“Business sure is brisk,” commented Eva, looking at all the customers, “as is the water.”

“Gets this way every time there is a storm. Guys go out fishing, water gets too choppy, and they come here and drink the rest of the afternoon away. I don’t mind the storms. They’re good for business. At least, my business.”

Eva took a sip of her drink. “That’s why I’ve really come, Jack. Do I have . . . do we have anything to worry about here? This is my first storm.”

“Ah, a virgin. Nope. Winds are below thirty-nine mph. I don’t even bother to put up shutters for that little bit of wind.”

“Do you think it could change?”

“Definitely. It could change any moment to something more serious or it could just blow itself out. Most of the time, these storms knock themselves out by the time they reach shore. Nothing at all.”

Eva sighed with relief. “Thanks. The dark sky and the water were starting to freak me out. I’m sure you’re right. The storm will blow itself out.”

“Keep your radio on, just in case. It can change really fast, but usually it’s nothing.”

Eva drank the last of her beer. “Thanks again, Jack. I was about ready to throw everyone out and leave on the first bus myself.”

Aussie Jack winked at her. “Since you’re a virgin . . . if I think things have taken a turn, I’ll let you know. But you still keep listening to the radio.”

“Will do.”

Eva felt more assured now that Aussie Jack would warn her if he felt the situation called for it, but she wished that Mike was still in Key Largo.

She really needed him.

M
ary phoned Eva later that day. “Do you want to stay with me, Eva? I know that a first storm can be unnerving, to say the least.”

“I’m all right. Dennis is here with me. We’ve taken all of the necessary precautions.”

There was silence on the phone for a moment, then Mary said, “I’m going to my sister’s tomorrow morning. I’ll stop in before I head out.”

“That would be great. Have you heard from Mike or Jenny?”

“Jenny is the reason I’m leaving. She’s having a fit. Expect to receive a call from her soon. She wants you to leave the Keys.”

“Mike?”

“He’s checking in every four hours. Says the water in the marina is very choppy. Good thing he doesn’t get seasick.”

“Yes, well, I’ve got to go, Mary. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Have a bag packed, just in case, Eva. Who knows? You might want to get out with me.”

“We’ll see. Thanks Mary, but I’ve got a guest here now. Gotta go.”

Eva hung up the phone and turned her attention to her guest. For several hours she didn’t even think of the storm, she was so busy.

That would prove to be a big mistake on her part.

B
y nine that night, the depression had been upgraded to a tropical storm, but it was still far out in the Atlantic. She followed its progress on the computer. It seemed to be moving to the left of the Keys and going out into the Gulf. Still she checked every hour where it was located. Finally around midnight she fell asleep at her computer desk.

That was another mistake.

E
va was awakened by a banging on the office door.

“Eva. EVA! OPEN UP!”

Wiping the sleep from her eyes, Eva rushed to the office door and swung it open.

Rain was battering Aussie Jack as he stepped inside. Water slid off his raincoat and drenched the floor.

“What is it?”

“I just talked to the mayor. There is going to be an evacuation order. The storm turned into a hurricane and it’s heading this way. It’s already a three and might turn into a four.”

“Oh, no!” exclaimed Eva. She felt a sudden stab of fear.

“The hotels are being evacuated first. Get your people up and out before the roads clog up and make sure as soon as you check out your last guest, you get out, too.”

“When is it going to land?”

“Not until after nightfall, but you need to get out now before the roads flood. My family has already left. I’m going to join them as soon as I get the pets. My wife didn’t have room in her car. Now promise me you’ll get out this morning.”

“Thanks, Jack, for letting me know.”

Aussie Jack gave Eva a strange look. He noticed that she did not promise him. “Well, I’ve done all that I could for you. Get out, Eva. Get out.”

Eva shook his hand and watched as he left. After making sure that Jack got into his car safely, Eva then called Dennis. He was staying in Bungalow Two, his favorite, and she told him to come to the office pronto. As soon as she hung up, she began to call the occupied bungalows.

Eva remained calm while she explained to her irritated guests that an evacuation was ordered and they needed to check out and leave ASAP.

Within twenty minutes, frightened guests were returning their old-fashioned keys and leaving in haste. Although the sun was rising, the dark storm clouds and battering rain made it almost impossible to see. Eva cautioned everyone to drive with care and that policemen were already out on Highway 1, helping motorists leave the Keys.

By the end of the hour, everyone had checked out and had beaten the crowd getting out of Key Largo.

Eva felt her heart beat slower.

As Dennis inspected each bungalow, he closed the hurricane shutters. He then shut off the water and electricity to them. Once the bungalows were secured, he chained the outdoor furniture to trees.

While Dennis was busy outside, Eva emailed and called her prospective guests warning them about the hurricane and not to come near Miami or the Keys.

The wind was now over thirty-nine mph and getting stronger by the minute. She heard the shutters rattle against the windows. Eva hoped that her investment in hurricane windows and doors actually was sound, and that they would hold back the storm as advertised.

The telephone rang.

Eva answered it.

“Eva, is that you?”

“Yes, Mary.”

“Thank the Lord. My car won’t start and I can’t get out. Are you leaving the island soon? Can you give me a lift?”

“Mary, you stay right there. I’ll be right over.” Eva hung up, and after putting on a raincoat she headed out.

Dennis caught up with her. Where’re you going?” he yelled.

“Mary Bishop’s car won’t start and I’m going to get her.”

“In this mess?”

“It shouldn’t take me too long and then we’ll head out together. I should be back in twenty minutes.”

“I’ll pack a bag for you. As soon as you come back, we hop in the Mercedes and head out.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Eva yelled back.

Dennis turned toward the office while Eva started her truck. She turned right on Highway 1. A long line of RVs, campers, rental cars, and military vehicles passed her going the other way. She hadn’t gone two miles when she was stopped by a police blockade.

“What are you doing?” shouted the motorcycle cop.

“My friend’s car won’t start. She’s five miles south.”

“Is she a resident or a tourist?”

“Resident,” shouted back Eva, wondering what that had to do with anything.

“Residents are not allowed to evacuate now. We’re trying to get all the tourists and military out first, then hospitals and nursing homes and then residents. She’ll have to wait her turn.”

“But she doesn’t have a car. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

“Can’t let you use this lane. It’s for emergencies only now. Turn around and I’ll let you cut in.”

Seeing that she had no alternative, Eva turned the truck around and cut in the traffic line much to the anger of the motorists behind her. It took her twenty-five minutes to drive a few miles to the motel.

Dennis was putting bags into the Mercedes as Eva pulled up.

“Where’s Mrs. Bishop?”

“I couldn’t get to her. It’s crazy out there.”

“Come on then. I’ve put your bag in the car.”

Eva grabbed Dennis’ arm. “I can’t leave. I could never live with myself if I abandoned her. Her house is right on the ocean. I’ve got to get to her if I can.”

“Why risk your life for someone you barely know? We need to leave. The water is rising. If we don’t go now, we’ll get stuck here.”

Eva shook her head.

Suddenly Dennis grabbed her and tried to push her into the car.

Eva jerked away and ran a few feet from Dennis. “I’m not going, Dennis.”

“Please don’t make me leave without you, I’m begging, Eva,” pleaded Dennis. “To stay is suicide.”

Eva shook her head.

Realizing that Eva wasn’t going to budge, Dennis glanced at the highway. It was raining so hard he could barely make out the cars moving at a steady pace out of the Keys. He made a decision. “I guess this is it then.”

“Go on Dennis. Get out while you can.”

Dennis gave Eva one last look and got into the Mercedes. It looked like he was crying as he drove past her and to the main road out of the Keys.

Eva watched as Dennis pulled out and headed toward Miami. She felt a tug on her heart, but it was not broken. Regardless of what would happen, Eva knew she had made the right decision.

Running to the dock, she found a john boat.

The other boats had been taken further up the west coast of Florida.

Eva got in the john boat and prayed that the motor would start. It did. She pointed it west hoping she could get to Mary. What they would do after that, she wasn’t so sure.

It was slow going in the john boat, as the waves were high, costing the boat speed. The waves slapped so hard against the boat that Eva’s teeth rattled. She had one hand on the tiller and with the other she scooped out water with a rusty can. If she reached Mary, it would be a miracle.

Drenched and exhausted, Eva finally saw the inlet that was across from Mary’s house. She beached the boat and pulled it far onto the beach thinking she might have to use it again.

Running up the slope, she came to Highway 1 where the traffic was now moving at a snail’s pace. Usually everyone would have been evacuated by now, but the storm’s sudden shift had caught the officials by surprise. Cops on motorcycles traveled up and down the emergency lane and were now letting motorists use double lanes so they could move the traffic quickly out of the Keys.

Eva ran across the highway with cars honking horns at her. She slipped and slid down a small embankment only to get up and run down the narrow street where Mary lived. Already the seawater in the street was over her toes.

Reaching Mary’s house, Eva banged on the door. “MARY! MARY!”

The door swung open against the wind and Mary pulled Eva inside. “Eva. Thank goodness you’ve come. What are we going to do?”

“Can you get your car to work?”

“It’s flooded. I can’t get it to start. What about your truck?”

“I don’t have it with me. It’s a long story, Mary,” she replied, looking at the woman’s startled face. “Let me try starting your car.”

“You mean go out there again? Oh, no. We’ll have to hunker down here and ride out the storm.”

“Look outside. The hurricane is not even officially here and look at those waves. By tonight the sea will be inside this house. We need to leave.”

Mary clasped her hands together in distress. “I wish I had never called you. Now you’re in trouble.”