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jumping all over her, so she complied. "Cherice was standing in the middle of the road about half a mile down river. I didn't see her until it was too late. The fog was so thick... Don't even tell me there was no fog, or so help me I will scream! I will admit I was not concentrating on the road like I should have been. The riverboat sort of sidetracked me for a second or two."
    Chance's lips formed an unreadable line. "A riverboat?"
    Nervous, sarcasm seeped in her voice. "Yes, a riverboat. You've heard of them, I'm sure. Large boats powered by a huge, turning paddle in the back. Don't you dare make some macho comment about needing a paddle right now to use on me, either."
    "Calm down." Pulling off his work shirt, Chance carefully settled it around her shoulders. Lifting her long hair from underneath the material, he set it free to blow in the night air. Bending his head slowly, he brushed a quick kiss across her smooth forehead, down her small nose, before claiming her lips.
    The warmth of his embrace settled over Adrienne, and she pulled herself tighter into his arms. Solid and strong, Chance was at least one part of this horrible night that was consistent and predictable. Reaching her cold fingers up, she wrapped her arms around his warm neck. In the dark, she could not see what he looked like without his shirt, but she could imagine he was all muscles and smooth skin. What would he do if she reached down to run her hands across his chest? Would a mat of hair greet her or was he smooth and hard there?
    The sound of a childish giggle invaded Adrienne's thoughts as Chance’s hands started exploring. Suddenly, she remembered where she was and what she needed to do. Pulling away abruptly, she rounded to look at the glass doors. The dark shadow of a little girl stood there briefly, then disappeared quickly from sight.
    "Cherice!" She banged on the window. The strange odor was back. Turning back to Chance, she demanded, "Did you see her just now?"
    "You probably saw a curtain flutter or something," he told her, scanning the area with his flashlight.
    "There is a little girl in there. She was just standing at the door. Her name is Cherice. She's got waist length black hair. Her white nightgown shouldn't be too difficult to see with your flashlight." Realizing the girl mentioned Chance, Adrienne decided the huge man beside her probably knew exactly what Cherice looked like.
    "You know her, Chance. At least, she knows you. She lives around here. Think about it. Which of your neighbors has a little girl who's about six or so?"
    "I don't have any neighbors. The only properties around here, besides the oil company are my place and River Oaks. Trust me. There aren't any children living within miles of here."
    "No, you have to trust me, Chance Breaux. Haven't I always been straight with you? There is a girl hiding inside this house and I'm going to find her." Adrienne wondered how to go about smashing the glass doors at the rear of the house.
    "You are sure there is a small child in there?" Her heart swelled with hope at Chance's words.
    "Yes, Chance. I saw her just like I saw the fog, the riverboat, and the captain."
    "Captain?" Chance muttered. Adrienne started to explain, but he stopped her short. "Let's not get into him just yet. We can revisit the topic of the captain tomorrow morning. I somehow think my brain will be more open after a few hours of sleep."
    She smirked at the weariness in his tone. Now that he was not acting all bossy, she was happy to have him around to help solve this problem. "I was thinking..."
    "I am beginning to think that's a dangerous pastime for you, honey," he whispered under his breath.
    "Huh?" Adrienne looked up at his dark face.
    "You were thinking?" he urged.
    "The only way to get inside is to break these glass doors. I have a crow bar in my trunk. We could use it to smash the panels closest to the doorknob." She was rather proud of her logic.
    "There is another way." Reaching into his pants pocket he