Saturday's Child by Clare Revell Page A

grew.
    Meggie shifted awkwardly, heat rising in her face.
    “Maybe next time,” Aaron said lightly. “I haven’t even asked her out yet.” His hand pressed firmly against the small of her back, encouraging her to move. “This way.” Once in the hall, he hung up his jacket and then took hers. “I’m sorry about that. She has her mind in the gutter most of the time, it seems.”
    “It’s fine.” She followed him upstairs. “Doesn’t your AGA heat the house as well? The one Mam has at home does.”
    “It does, but it can be a little temperamental at times. Why?”
    “It’s just…This is going to sound silly, but the house just feels odd.”
    “What kind of odd?” His voice took on a defensive tone.
    Meggie backtracked, not wanting to upset him as she was a guest in his house for the next several hours. “It’s nothing, probably just me.”
    He held her gaze. “No, don’t change the subject.”
    Tanis appeared behind them. “Is everything all right?”
    “Everything’s fine.” Meggie forced a smile.
    Aaron pulled towels from the airing cupboard and held them out to her. “Here you go. There’s shower gel and shampoo and stuff in the bathroom.”
    “Thank you. I’ll see you in a bit.”
    “Sure. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
    She stood under the hot water, letting it rinse the soap from her aching body. She still couldn’t believe that storm. The way the funnel had touched here and there and yet left the house untouched. As she turned off the water and reached for the towel, her phone rang. She wrapped the towel around her, stepped from the shower, and answered on the fourth ring. “Hello.”
    “Megs? Are you all right?” Her brother’s voice was filled with more concern than usual. “They’re saying a tornado hit Headley Cross. There’s video footage on the news and everything.”
    “Hello to you to, Ies. You drew the short straw today, I see.”
    “Be serious for a minute, Meaghan Rhiannon. The news says an F3 tornado struck Headley Cross this afternoon. You live there and you haven’t rung to say you’re OK.”
    “Oh ohh, my full name now, is it? Well, Iestyn Gwyther, two can play at that game, look you.”
    “We were worried. There were pictures and video on the news and all over the Internet, and when you didn’t call, we were afraid you’d been caught up in it and had a house dropped on you or something.”
    “I left my ruby slippers back at Da’s farm, so it’d be too bad if I had been whisked away. But, I do have mobile phone footage, which I took it especially for you as the funnel was forming.” She rubbed her hair with a smaller towel. “I’m fine. Aaron and I reached shelter in time. The roads to town are blocked, so I’m overnighting at his place.”
    “Aaron? A man, Aaron?”
    “Yes, Aaron. He’s a bloke, one of the local farmers.”
    “Is he a Christian? Is it safe?”
    She rolled her eyes. Sometimes the overprotective streak was a little much. Would she be staying here if she didn’t trust Aaron? “The church is using his farm for the bonfire next weekend. His stepmother lives here, as well, so we’re not alone. It’s just until the roads are clear, which should be by morning. I’ll ring when I get home. I should go now and get dressed.”
    “You are undressed in a stranger’s house?” His tone was, by now, downright disapproving.
    “Well, if you’re going to ring when I’m showering, Iestyn, what do you expect?” she teased him and then laughed. “And he’s not a stranger. He’s a friend and a gentleman. Thank you for the concern. Give the others my love. I’ll send the footage when I can. Speak soon.”
    “You too.” He paused. “Megs…be careful. I have a bad feeling.”
    “You and your feelings. Ies, if you’re really that worried, then pray. I would…” She hesitated, not wanting to burden him with her concerns. “I’d like it if you did. Listen, I have to go now before I freeze to death. Love you. Bye.” She hung up and shook