It was an angry night. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, and even the wind joined in with masterful gusts. Jessica Fletcher sat on her bed with her knees drawn up and her head down. Weather like this only happened every five or six years and tonight was the night. It was almost six years to the very day the last turbulent storm occurred, one day after Frank Fletcher died, one day after the worst day of her life.

*flashback*

No one had arrived yet. Grady would come in the morning and her siblings and their brood were due the day after Grady's arrival but this night was her first night alone and even though storms never bothered her much, she always had Frank by her side to comfort her. Now she was alone. She never noticed the shadows from the trees dancing through her curtains or how bright the room became when the lightning struck. She just didn't want to be by herself on a night like this one. The first tear fell when the creaking from the house started. More tears fell when the electricity went out. Soon she was howling as loud as the wind but there was no one to hear her. Eventually she fell asleep and in the morning, the sun came out and she began to try to live again.

Family arrived and her sisters organized the funeral and repast and she just had to sit on the sofa, numb, and let them take charge. It was a period of her life she never wanted to relive again.

*end flashback*

Tonight's storm seemed stronger, bolder. Maybe because she had forgotten how loud it could get. She hoped she wouldn't lose power. Pulling out a drawer on her nightstand she brought out her powerful flashlight, just in case.

As the thunder clamored for attention and lightning crashed to the earth, she began to tremble. Just like last time, she was alone. All alone. She missed Frank with an ache in her heart. She could go days, weeks, months, with only fond memories and even smile at times but tonight's storm only reminded her she was afraid and alone.

She had gone to the cemetery today to visit Frank and tell him about her past year. She tried not to go often because her heart hurt so much after each visit but today was special and she wanted to share it with him even if only in a small way. When Frank was dying, he begged her to keep on living. She would have curled up and given up she believed but it was his only request and she couldn't deny him anything at that point.

So she started writing, got published, achieved a best seller book for her very first, and second, and third. She began to give interviews and travel and yesterday she was given a Mystery Writers Thornberry Award. The first given to an author with fewer than ten books to their credit. She had received other awards but this one was special, it made her feel like an author, not just some writer that got lucky or had a great marketing scheme.

Frank's grave site was alive with flowers. He wasn't much for flowers while alive but he gave her flowers for her birthday, their anniversary, and on occasional holidays. It was usually mums or poppies and sometimes calla lilies and she paid extra for those now. The manager at the cemetery office disliked having to purchase specific flowers to decorate the graves even if they paid extra for it so she usually purchased carnations because Jessica specifically told her not to place them on his grave. The manager would smile and agree but every time carnations were on sale, she would place them and Jessica would have to remind her not to do it. Finally she stopped paying for them but the manager would put out passive-aggressive carnations anyway. Now Jessica paid a service to put the flowers out and she was very satisfied.

She picked up the phone and discovered she still had a dial tone. Thank goodness. A large clap of thunder rolled and caused her to jump. She didn't want to be alone. She went over to the window to look out. The rain was coming down hard so she couldn't see much. No one would be out on a night like tonight. No headlights from cars, she wasn't even seeing porch lights.

She didn't want to admit to herself that she was scared. Everyone knows if you admit to it then you become more afraid. She wondered if Seth would mind if she called him. He might tease her and call her an infant but at least she wouldn't be alone. No, she couldn't do that. She would never live it down.

As the storm increased in frenzy she started to become unglued. Her mystery novels usually had a murder during a storm like this one or someone stabbing a victim when the lights were off. Creak. There goes the creaking again. But wait, it sounded more like steps climbing upward.

Frozen in fright, Jessica tried to think of a place to hide. She pulled on her robe and slippers and stood behind her door. The creaking continued but she didn't know if whoever was upstairs or down. She tried to slow her breathing. More thunder then another bolt of lightning and she couldn't stop shaking. She wasn't hearing creaking now. Maybe they were waiting for her to leave her room? Absolutely rigid with fear she tiptoed to her closet. She had a pair of steel-toed boots leftover from Halloween last year. She was the construction worker (from the Village People) along with Phyllis, Eve, and Audrey. She found the boots and pulled them on. She pulled off her robe and put on her Mackintosh. If someone grabbed her, it might be harder to hold on to her.

She opened the closet door as a gale of wind pushed against the house. Something hit the house and now abject terror struck her. She had to get out of there. What if someone was lying in wait for her? Her logical mind deserted her and fear took over. Stumbling down the stairs she ran into the kitchen and out the back door. She was soaked before she reached the end of the driveway but she didn't care. She took off for Seth's house. She didn't realize she forgot to fasten her Mac.

It was insane. In the deep recesses of her mind, she knew it was dangerous to be out but she couldn't stay home any longer. She covered the seven blocks to his house in minutes. She fell twice and tripped several times in her panic but all she could think about was reaching Seth. She stopped every time lightning struck but ran through the thunder.

She limped up to his porch and started banging on his door, forgetting about his doorbell. The house stayed dark and she feared he wasn't home. Crying, she began banging harder and this time ringing his doorbell too. She screamed his name but the wind was strong and carried it away. Waiting a few moments for the wind to die down she let out another shout for him. "Seth! Seth! Please!"

The door opened unexpectedly and she stumbled forward. Strong arms grabbed her across the threshold and closed the door. Sobbing, Jessica held on as hard as she could. She was being led upstairs and into a small den. A small lamp on his desk was on and she was left standing there as Seth left the room. Trying hard to stop crying, Jessica covered her mouth with her hand. Seth returned with towels and began to dry her off. He removed her Mac and boots before wrapping her in a blanket and sitting her down on the small sofa.

"Jess?"

Jessica nearly laughed with hysteria. Seth looked concerned and was keeping her at arm's length. Unfortunately for him, she couldn't stop crying. He gave up trying to get an answer and just held her. His old robe was soft beneath her cheek and her hand was on his chest. Soon she was asleep and Seth remained holding her. He shrugged off his robe without disturbing her and covered them up with it. She was soaked to the skin beneath the blanket. Grabbing the last dry towel he covered her hair.

It was nearly morning when Jessica woke up. The stillness was loud in the silence. No wind, no rain, or thunder and lightning. She could feel Seth's heartbeat and his old robe was wrapped around them. One arm was around her shoulder and the other held her hand. She was filled with a warm glow over his kindness.

She sat up and looked at him watching her.

"Good morning," she whispered. "I guess you're wondering what happened?"

"You were afraid," he answered. "Why didn't you call me?"

"I didn't want you to think I was a baby," she admitted.

"But you stole my chance to be your knight in shining armor," he complained.

She started to giggle and soon was laughing outright. "You're still my hero, Seth," she smiled as she kissed his cheek.

"It's almost sunrise. Let's get you home before the town wakes up." He rose from the sofa. "Better keep that blanket wrapped around you."

Jessica looked down and nearly groaned. She was in her pajamas. Seth returned dressed and ushered her out to his garage. The ride home was swift and silent. Once in her kitchen, she started the coffee for Seth while filling the kettle for herself.

She swiftly showered and dressed while Seth saw to the coffee. They sat in the kitchen drinking coffee for him and tea for her while munching on the cheese danishes from her fridge. They didn't speak much, just enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Seth rose and took his plate and mug to the sink. "Will you be okay now?" he asked.

She nodded.

"You can always call me, Jess. Even during the middle of a storm, late at night, or in the wee hours of the morning." Seth smiled wickedly at her. "But my all time favorite will be you arriving at my house, late at night, wet from the storm with your pajamas plastered to you like a second skin."

Jessica colored. "Seth!"

"Want me to cook tonight?"

"I made a stew yesterday that I didn't eat," she brought up. "Maybe get some rolls from the bakery?"

"Ayuh, and you try to get a little more sleep." He kissed her cheek and left the house. Whistling he got into the car. It turned out to be a nice night after all.