I lived in Redlands, CA in 1992 when two large earthquakes struck on the same day. There were so many aftershocks that I stopped counting.

Southern California is a place of contrasts. You have deserts and beaches, mountains and valleys all within a couple of hours drive from one another. Jessica Fletcher always loved the differences and whether staying at the beach or in the mountains, she enjoyed being outside. The past two months she had been in Burbank, in the valley, helping to write the script for one of her novels for a two hour television movie. It had been enlightening and exhausting and now she was going to spend two weeks recuperating from the fifteen hour days at the studio.

She wasn't sure if she was excited about the prospect of camping in the desert for two weeks or spending two weeks alone with her good friend, Dr. Seth Hazlitt. Last year they spent two weeks at an archeological dig in New Mexico. It included high temperatures, inflated egos, and murder. This trip won't have tents or lizards but she had been warned about rattlesnakes. She hadn't seen Seth in over two months and missed him. If absence makes the heart grow fonder, it certainly did for her and Seth.

The studio had been kind enough to arrange to pick up Seth from the airport and deliver him to their destination this morning and now she was being driven out to the San Bernardino desert as well. The car was air conditioned and she hoped it wasn't the last of that particular convenience she would experience for two weeks. The temperature was nearly a hundred degrees at eleven in the morning!

Seth Hazlitt, MD had just arrived at the cabin and spent a few minutes looking everything over. He was as giddy as a child at Christmas. When Jessica called him last month and invited him to spend a couple of weeks in California, he hadn't been thrilled. Wasn't California where all the weirdos lived? She informed him one of the studio executives had a cottage in the desert and touted all its virtues. There were hiking trails and national parks to explore.

There was a small pool in the backyard with an equally small patio. Seth admired the built-in grill and a table with four chairs overlooking a small cactus garden. He was happy to see a lattice overhang providing some protection from the sun. There was an actual dune buggy parked on the side of the house! He couldn't wait to drive around in it.

He picked up his suitcase that he left in front of the door and entered the house. It was one room! A large room but other than the bathroom, no other rooms. Did Jessica know? There was a sofa and two chairs in the center of the room, a dining table with four chairs in front of a window. The table looked like it was carved from an actual tree trunk. He tried to pick up a corner and found it too heavy. He went over to the sofa and tried to see if it converted to a bed but it didn't. Hmmm.

He heard a car drive up and went outside. The heat was already getting to him.

"Jess!" He called in greeting. He gave her a hug and bussed her cheek before helping the driver out with two suitcases. At his arched eyebrow she explained they contained all the clothes she packed for a two month stay in Burbank.

"Seth, you look good!"

Inwardly he was pleased that she noticed he took off a few pounds but he wouldn't admit it. "It hasn't been that long," he complained.

She just smiled and took his arm as they went inside. She looked around the room with a puzzled expression before going to a wall and examining it.

"Ah ha!" She exclaimed as she pulled on the paneling and exposed a Murphy bed before looking for another one. She found it easily and pulled it down.

"When I was told it sleeps four, I was picturing two bedrooms, not two beds." She pulled on a drape that was partially hidden and it divided the space and separated the beds. "I think we can manage." She explored the rest of the room. The bathroom was adequate and the kitchen area small but it was only for a couple of weeks and she was hoping to spend quite a bit of time outdoors. She was thankful there was air conditioning.

She placed the larger suitcase in a closet and unpacked the smaller one. There was a chest of drawers on either outer side of the Murphy beds and she placed her clothes inside the one next to the bed she had chosen to sleep in. She knew her breezy manner would put Seth at ease about the living conditions. He was always so concerned about her reputation. The caption, "Mystery writer shacks up with physician in desert love next," floated through her mind.

Seth clapped his hands together. "So what would you like to do first, Jess?"

She looked up at him. "I can tell you already have a plan," she commented. "Let's hear it."

"There's a dune buggy on the side of the house and the keys were on this bookcase. Let's take it out for a ride."

"Let me grab a hat," agreed Jessica.

A few minutes later they were driving across the desert. There was the occasional house or outbuilding but mostly it was dirt, Joshua trees, and pockmocked roads. They came upon a small two pump gas station and Seth wanted to top up the gas tank. Jessica went inside the small store attached and picked up ice cream bars for them.

She had been assured that the fridge in the cottage would be stocked so unless there was something specific they wanted, she didn't bother with groceries. She saw a notice posted announcing a square dance Saturday night. She hadn't done that in years.

When told of the dance Seth just grunted which Jessica took to mean he was agreeable. They would have to go into town for clothes. With the sun beating down on them, it was decided they would wait until morning. They drove past a small lake but signs were posted about not drinking or bathing in the water.

They returned to the cottage, tired and hot, and Jessica decided on a nap. The heat sapped all her energy. Seth grabbed a book and settled on the sofa. It was quiet for a few minutes until a sudden jolt shook him. The rattling of glasses began to alarm him.

"Seth!"

Seth jumped into action and grabbed Jessica, who was scrambling off the bed. They stood in the front doorway as their world shook for several seconds. It was over in less than a minute.

"My goodness! Was that an earthquake?"

Seth was nodding his head. "I do believe it was. It was my first earthquake."

Jessica moved toward the television set and turned it on. There were already reports of a 4.4 earthquake centered a hundred or so miles away from them. They spoke about the sensation of enduring an earthquake for several minutes.

"It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be," admitted Jessica.

Seth barked out a laugh. "It wasn't very close to us and didn't last long, for which I'm grateful."

The afternoon passed pleasantly. They kept the television news on for updates about the earthquake and how to prepare for one. They learned about pre-shocks and aftershocks. Seth checked out the contents of the refrigerator and began preparing a meal while Jessica took a long shower.

"I want to buy clothes for the square dance in the morning, then spend the day by the pool?" The last part was a question directed at Seth.

"Unlike you, I would rather be in the pool and not by it," he laughed. "There's no one close by if you'd like to take a skinny dip." He waggled his eyebrows at her and she laughed.

"If I were twenty years younger, Seth."

"You and me both, Jess," admitted Seth.

Lying in bed Jessica mulled over the day and was pleased, even with the earthquake. She looked at the drape. Seth was lying down in his bed, just on the other side. It was strange having him so near. She wondered what his thoughts were. Was she on his mind the way he was on hers? She turned over and eventually fell asleep.

They drove nearly twenty miles into town the following morning. They chose outfits for the square dance on Saturday, bought a few selective groceries, and picked up a schedule for guided tours at one of the parks. The sun was high in the sky when they returned to the cottage.

Jessica covered herself in sunscreen and put on her bathing suit. She was a little apprehensive about wearing it in front of Seth. It was silly since she wore swimsuits on vacations around the world but that was in front of strangers. She never wore them in Cabot Cove and she practically lived on water.

The one piece was flattering and modest so she took a deep breath and went outside. Seth was already swimming laps in the pool. She waded in slowly before finally gliding across the water. It was so cool and refreshing. She swam to the shallow end and sat on the steps, keeping her feet in the water.

She couldn't help noticing the appreciative glances Seth surreptitiously sent her way. It pleased her inwardly. She wasn't easily flattered but had to admit his approval sent her heart fluttering in her chest. It seemed like it had been so long since she wanted male attention.

Seth went inside and returned with a platter of fruit and took a peach and sat down.

"This is the life, Jess." He munched on the peach. "Have you ever thought about retirement?"

"Not retiring from writing, per se, but as you know I retired from teaching." She looked him in the eyes. "I never saw myself retiring and being alone. It's why I continued to work after Frank died." Her eyes became misty. "Suddenly there was no one to look after, no one to travel with, no one to share my life." She smiled gently. "I've bounced back a little. I have good friends, activities I enjoy and I'm traveling now. It's just not what I envisioned years ago."

Seth was nodding his head. "I know what you mean. I haven't reduced my hours to part time because I'm not sure I can fill the time. I enjoy traveling but not always alone. I love going to medical conferences, learning new things, new skills but that's two or three days here and there."

Both fell silent as they thought about being alone. Jessica picked up the sunscreen to reapply but Seth took it from her hands and began smoothing it over her shoulders. She let her neck fall forward and enjoyed the sensation. His hands were soft but firm. Neither spoke and Jessica tried to convince herself it wasn't a big deal but Seth had never been so familiar with her before. While there was no tension in the air, each was acutely aware of the other.

It wasn't the first time she noticed how comfortable they were around each other. It was nice they could get along so well considering their personalities. He finished her shoulders and began smoothing sunscreen over the exposed parts of her back. Finished, he motioned for her to turn around and lean back. He started at her foot and began applying sunscreen to her legs before slowly stopping as he realized what he was doing.

"Oh, uh, sorry Jess. I wasn't thinking," he mumbled. He wiped his hands on a towel while avoiding her eyes.

"It's alright, Seth. I'm not offended." She used two fingers to lift his chin. "You didn't even go above the knees." She picked up the tube of sunscreen and applied it to her thighs. She noticed Seth watching her do it out of the corner of his eyes.

"Is something wrong?"

No," he quickly denied. "It's just…your legs look so smooth."

Jessica laughed lightly. "If you knew the torture I go through for smooth legs, you would have more sympathy for me."

"It looks worth any amount of discomfort," acknowledged Seth. "Do my back?

Jessica agreed to return the favor and began applying sunscreen on his back. She used long strokes up and down his back and then across from left to right. She also worked it into his forearms and shoulders.

"That ought to hold you for a couple of hours."

Seth got up and returned with a large umbrella which he set up to give them shade and protect them from the overbearing sun. They returned to the water one final time before Seth decided they had gotten enough sun. There was an outdoor shower and Jessica washed her hair and rinsed the chlorine from her body before toweling off and going into the house.

Seth had remained seated and watched her showering. Even with her bathing suit on, it seemed almost scandalous to stare at her. He waited until she went inside the house before showering off, thankful the water was cold.

Perhaps it was spending so much time together or maybe just needing a little space but Jessica and Seth silently agreed to time apart. Seth put on a hat and went for a drive while Jessica wrote letters to friends and family.

The following morning Jessica tried on her square dance outfit in the bathroom. She smiled thinking about Seth's reaction but lamented she hadn't been able to find cowboy boots in her size. Later they decided a trip to get ice cream cones would be just the ticket to staying cool while visiting one of the state parks.

They hiked with a small group wanting to climb a little higher and look out over the vast desert. Jessica was thankful she covered up her arms with a loose long sleeved shirt. It was a jovial group that climbed the summit and Jessica wished she had brought her camera. The views were amazing. They hurried down the trail so they could return home before dark. They wanted to be indoors before snakes started hunting their supper.

They just walked into the house when a small trembler shook the ground where they stood. Seth clutched Jessica instinctively but after a few seconds, he released her.

"Another one? Goodness, was that a pre shock or an aftershock?"

"I don't think they really know, Jess." He closed and locked the door. "I'll start dinner if you'd like to clean up."

Jessica smiled gratefully and gathered a few things before going into the bathroom. Jessica had to smother her smile later when Seth emerged from the bathroom after his shower. He had on a sleeveless undershirt known as a wife beater shirt and loose short pants.

At her inquisitive look, he explained. "You're getting cold at night and I'm burning up."

"Seth, I can add another blanket to my bed." She got up and looked in the small linen closet and pulled out a blanket. "I want you to be comfortable, as well."

He smiled in appreciation and got into his bed. She pulled the drape across giving them privacy from each other. He heard her climb into bed and within minutes she had turned off her lamp.

Thunk! A large object fell to the floor jolting Jessica awake. The window panes started rattling and then the bed was shaking. Seth pulled the drape back and yelled, "We have to take cover, Jess."

Jessica just sat, transfixed, barely awake. Seth rushed over and pulled her from the bed as more items began tumbling down. Several books from the bookcase rained down and landed on the beds. Seth pulled his mattress off his bed and covered them. They sat on the floor against the wall with the mattress protecting most of their bodies from falling debris. It was only when Jessica cried out as something hit her arm that Seth gathered her close and sat her on his lap.

"Tuck in, Jess. It will stop soon." But the shaking seemed to last forever. Several items fell on his legs and he tucked them underneath the mattress. He wrapped his arms around Jessica, attempting to shield her as things fell on the mattress and then onto the floor. Even with the turmoil, part of Jessica's mind realized she was sitting on Seth's lap! Her head tucked beneath his neck and her arms around his middle. Seth was completely aware that Jessica's thin pajamas were pressed closely against him.

After a few minutes without any shaking, Seth removed the mattress slowly. It had protected them from books from the bookcases as well as several pieces of pottery.

Jessica's eyes grew wide as she surveyed the damage. Broken pottery, items flung from the kitchen cabinets, furniture moved. It was hard to believe it all happened in a matter or three or four minutes. Seth slowly emerged from behind the mattress.

"Stay there, Jess. There's a lot of broken glass." He put on his slippers then found hers and handed them to her. He carefully made his way to the broom closet and grabbed a broom and dustpan. Jessica had put on her robe before she picked up a cardboard box and was putting large broken pieces of pottery inside.

It took a couple of hours to clean up and by then the sun was coming up. The television had fallen over but wasn't damaged and it was turned to the news.

"Wow! It registered over 7 on the seismograph scale," announced Seth. There had been several aftershocks but none too strong.

"I don't know how people live through this," admitted Jessica.

Seth had set up the coffee pot and was scrambling eggs. "If you can grab the toast, breakfast is ready."

"I'm going to call and let the studio know about the damage. Eight of the twelve dishes have broken and there's a crack in the window by the door."

Seth looked where several boxes of broken items were standing by the patio door. "I can catalog the damage."

Jessica cleaned up after breakfast while Seth took inventory of the damaged goods and the salvageable items.

"I'm still not sure where to go when an earthquake strikes," admitted Jessica. "They're saying not to stand in the doorway, to get beneath something sturdy but there's nothing here that suffices."

Seth looked around. He pushed the dining table against the wall. "This table is sturdy and solid. We'll get under it.

Jessica eyed it critically. "If we bring our knees to our chest, we might fit," she agreed. "I'm going to take the remaining items that can break or fall down and put them beneath the sinks."

Seth helped her remove the remaining, and somehow unbroken, items. There were no more cardboard boxes so they put them in pillowcases.

"I have to admit, I thought we'd stumble over a body or two. I never even considered the earth moving," laughed Seth. He ambled to the bathroom and soon the shower was running.

Jessica finished her list of undamaged goods to give to the studio and went to shower when Seth came out of the bathroom.

Jolt! Seth's mouth dropped open. Another one? Jolt! The windows began rattling. "Jess!" Seth ran toward the bathroom door but it opened and Jessica was wrapping her robe around her and moving towards the dining table. The room was swaying and a crack was heard. Seth's Murphy bed frame had broken as it bounced onto the wall and back down.

"Under the table, Jess!" Seth waited until she was underneath before dropping on all fours and crawling beneath it. Years later he would deny it to anyone that even dared to mention it but he couldn't help noticing that her legs were visible. Her robe had parted and her damp legs looked delectable. Her skin was obviously wet as the robe clung to her curves. He had never seen anyone so sexy in his life.

He pulled her close and asked, "did you turn off the water?" Their backs were against the wall but they had to duck their heads to fit beneath the table. He had a sneaking suspicion that she was completely naked beneath her robe. It might have been the way she clutched the ends together or the way her hand kept the two ends together at her neck. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. With one hand on her hip and the other on top of her head, he lifted her on his lap so her legs were completely under the table.

The locked front door swung open and banged against the wall. Jessica jumped at the noise, nearly bumping her head. Seth meanwhile had been looking from the corner of the patio door at the swimming pool. The water was splashing upward of four or five feet. The sliding glass door popped off its track and slid to the other side before falling on the patio floor. Water from the pool splashed inside. Seth tried to scoot over but Jessica would be unprotected if he went much further so he got soaked by the water.

The earth slowly settled and Seth crawled from beneath the table. "Stay there, Jess." About half of the pool water was gone. Seth picked up the patio door, slid it back on its track, and closed and locked it.

Jessica carefully crawled out, keeping her robe closed. "At least there isn't much to clean up this time around." Thankfully the sliding glass door hadn't shattered.

She went inside the bathroom and came out dressed in a pair of pants with matching top. Seth had quickly changed into dry clothes while she was in the bathroom. It didn't take long to clean up but they felt exhausted due to the early morning shake up before five am.

"Seth, we've had three earthquakes, two of them major, and numerous aftershocks and foreshocks. Would you be disappointed if we went somewhere else?" asked Jessica.

"Run away, Jess?" He looked around the room. "Two earthquakes in one day is probably ultra rare. You're just rattled. Let's settle down for a while and then talk about it." He brought a couple of pillows and a blanket over to the sofa. Patting the seat beside him, he placed one of the pillows behind her head and covered them with the blanket.

They faced the tv and listened to the damage reports trickling in. Seth placed his arm across the back of the sofa and Jessica snuggled into his side. Neither commented but both were aware of how close they were.

Jessica relaxed and leaned into Seth. They listened to the news and tried not to grow apprehensive about the aftershocks occurring. Most were small, thankfully. It didn't take long for her to feel drowsy and drift off to sleep. Seth smiled and shook his head but had to admit a nap was just the ticket to get them feeling normal again.

That evening, after dinner, they took a short walk to clear the cobwebs from their minds. A small aftershock or two occurred but the gentle swaying wasn't unsettling anymore. They were growing accustomed to the motion. The first earthquake was called the Landers quake, while the second one was the Big Bear quake which was slightly smaller.

'What are we going to do about your bed?" Seth had tried repairing the frame but the best he could do was take it from the wall and set it on the floor.

"I'll be fine with the mattress on the floor. Today's nap convinced me that the sofa would have me at a chiropractor as soon as I got home."

Jessica smiled. "Really? I had a great nap. I was very comfortable." Seth cleared his throat and Jessica looked at him, questionably.

The faint vestige of a blush appeared on his cheeks. Jessica blushed as she correctly surmised he must have been the cause of her comfort.

"I could try the sofa. It's not too late to move elsewhere," invited Jessica.

"I like the simplicity here. It's not crowded, the parks are huge with great hiking trails, and it's very relaxing," commented Seth. "Earthquakes aside, I'm enjoying myself."

"Alright but one more quake as big as the two we've suffered through and we're leaving."

Seth knew it was unlikely so he agreed. "They kept saying on the news that these weren't "The Big One" that appears to be overdue."

Jessica couldn't stop the shudder that escaped. "Give me an old fashioned hurricane or blizzard any day. What are you supposed to do when the earth moves beneath your feet?"

"Ayuh, it doesn't seem like you have much time to react to an earthquake." Seth turned to her and smiled. "You'll have some great stories to tell the folks in Cabot Cove."

"What do you mean?"

"The earthquakes, woman!"

"Oh Seth, the women have all heard me brag about the earth moving beneath my feet when you're around." She gave him a wink.

"Rightly so," he agreed as they both laughed. They walked arm in arm discussing the chances of another earthquake before talking about the square dance the following evening. The rattling and shaking slowly settled down over the next few days but splits in the earth were pointed out on their hikes and both were grateful very little damage occurred near them.

The studio exec had replacement items sent over, new plates, glasses, and vases along with Seth's bed being replaced. A bottle of champagne and a fruit basket was left for their enjoyment.

Of course, Seth had to find out where the famous San Andreas fault line was and visit a portion. Jessica thought they were snubbing their noses at fate but went along with him. She made sure to get a picture of Seth standing on the fault line.

She was surprised when Seth grabbed her and planted a tender kiss on her lips. She looked at him in wonder.

"I just thought I'd take credit for the shaking if it happened just now," he said, smugly.

She herded him away from the fault line. Seth took her hand as they returned to the dune buggy.

"We've been here a week and haven't found one body yet," announced Seth. "You might be losing your touch, Jess."

"I've been in California more than two months, Seth. Bodies don't follow me wherever I go," argued Jessica. "Although if I'm honest, I must say I prefer murder over earthquakes."

"I have to agree with you there, Jess. Maybe our next trip can be less adventuresome and more relaxing."

Jessica smiled at the thought of their next trip.

A month after the earthquakes more than 20,000 aftershocks had occurred. Jessica and Seth were safely home by then and telling their earthquake story to the Cabot Cove townsfolk. Any embellishments by Seth were disputed by Jessica but everyone preferred Seth's version of events.