we have any vampire bats in Texas."
"You never know," he muttered, then motioned toward Robby. "He's found the cellar."
Heather heard the rattle of chains. She pointed her flashlight toward the noise and spotted Robby leaning over the cellar door. "Don't tell me they locked it. The cellar's supposed to be a tornado shelter for the campers."
Robby pulled the chains away from the looped door handles. "The lock was broken." He exchanged a look with Jean-Luc.
Heather wondered if the Scotsman was being entirely honest. He must be. He couldn't be strong enough to rip open a padlock.
"Let me help." Jean-Luc heaved open one of the doors while Robby opened the other.
Heather pointed her flashlight into the gaping dark hole. Sheesh, what had possessed her to come here? "So, who wants to go into the black pit of doom first?"
"I will." Robby started down the steps, holding his claymore ready.
"Don't you need the flashlight?" Heather asked.
"I can see," Robby muttered.
She kept the light aimed into the hole. "You were right," she whispered to Jean-Luc. "I shouldn't have come."
"What about being master of your own destiny?"
"I still believe that, and I believe I can protect myself. I'm just afraid you'll be more concerned with protecting me than catching Louie."
"You are correct. That's why I brought Robby."
"I don't want to hold you back. Or endanger you."
"I'll be fine." He moved to her right with his foil in his right hand. "Stay close behind me." He started down the stairs.
She took a deep breath. You're at war with fear. She followed him down, resting a hand on his shoulder.
When he reached the bottom, he took her hand to escort her toward the center of the room. She pivoted, shooting a beam of light in a circle around the dark cellar. It fit Fidelia's description. Dark. No windows. Stone walls. A thick layer of dust on the stone floor made her nose itch. Dirt and debris were swept into small mounds along the walls.
"Check the ceiling," Jean-Luc said quietly.
The ceiling? She aimed her flashlight up. Did they really expect Louie to hang around the ceiling? That was weird.
"It's clear," Jean-Luc announced.
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Great. No homicidal maniacs here."
"Nay. 'Tis safe enough." Robby circled the room. As he approached a dark corner, little scurrying feet pattered away from him.
"A rat!" Heather grabbed Jean-Luc's arm and pressed close. Her flashlight waved about wildly.
He took the flashlight and located the creature. "Don't worry. It's just a mouse."
"Are you kidding? That thing is huge!"
"It's a harmless little field mouse."
"Haven't you heard? Everything is big in Texas."
"Our rats in France would laugh at your mouse." Jean-Luc looped an arm around her shoulders. "You haven't lived until you've seen the rats of Paris."
"Oh, that's so romantic...not."
"Ah, now there's a big one with giant claws and sharp teeth." He laughed when she flung her arms around his neck. "Not."
"What?" She realized her face was pressed close to his.
"I was kidding." His arms wrapped around her. "But I can't apologize. I'm quite happy with the results."
"You rascal. You scared me." She should have swatted him, or at least pulled away from him, but it felt so good to have his strong arms around her and the solid warmth of his chest pressed against her.
He rubbed his chin against her brow. The soft scrape of whiskers was both masculine and comforting.
"I doona believe Lui was ever here," Robby announced. "As dusty as the floor is, there would be footprints."
"I agree." Jean-Luc kept his arms around Heather.
Robby muttered something under his breath. "Shall I leave ye two alone?"
Jean-Luc chuckled. "We're coming." He released Heather and handed her the flashlight. "We've done enough for tonight."
Enough searching for Louie or enough hugging? She would have enjoyed a few more minutes of hugging. Or an hour or two. She followed them to the staircase and took Jean-Luc's hand to ascend the steps. The night air smelled fresh compared to the musty, dank air of the cellar.
"We'll try again tomorrow," Jean-Luc announced as he and Robby shut the cellar doors.
Tomorrow? That was Sunday. "I have other plans, but we can go somewhere afterward."
"What plans?" Jean-Luc escorted her back to his car. "I cannot leave you unprotected."
"I already volunteered to help out at the fair. The church is trying to raise money for some playground equipment. I have to be there early to set up chairs and stuff. Fidelia and Bethany will be there, too."
Jean-Luc frowned. "A public place could be dangerous. Robby and I will have to