"It's so beautiful," she gasped.
A sweet voice called from another room. "Did you get her car off the cliff, dear?"
Giddon lifted a brow at Lisa. "It was already off the cliff when I got there," he called.
A middle-aged woman entered the room, her hands full of hamburger meat as she formed a patty. "What?" Her large brown eyes took in Lisa with surprise and she threw her son a questioning look.
"Mom, this is Lisa Anderson," he said, and then shrugged. "The car slid off the cliff before I got back. She'll have to stay here tonight. I'll take her over in the morning to get her stuff out of the car."
Warm brown eyes turned on Lisa again with concern. "Oh my, you're fortunate the car didn't go over the edge with you in it!"
"I know," Lisa said, "But I don't want to put you out. If I could use your phone, Mrs. Giddon, I'll see if I can find someone to come get me."
The woman smiled. "Nonsense, you're not putting us out, but you're more than welcome to use the phone . . . and please call me Sarah."
Lisa hesitated. "Fayetteville is long distance, but I'll be glad to pay you for the call as soon as I get my things."
Giddon was watching her intently. Those blue eyes were boring into her soul, searching for heaven only knew what. "It's a long way to drive from Fayetteville, and then they'd have to bring you back in the morning."
And her house keys were in the car. Lisa stared at the phone, her hand on the receiver. It was best to stay where she was, but she needed to let someone know she was here. She lifted the receiver and dialed Connie's number. The phone rang ten times before Lisa gave up. Her hand hung over the phone a minute as she fought with the urge to call Howard. It would only cause him more trouble, both with the trip and wagging tongues.
Sarah smiled sympathetically. "No one home?"
Lisa felt an immediate bond with the slender mother of her rescuer. "It looks like I'll have to accept your invitation to spend the night, but I'll pay you as soon as I get my things."
Sarah frowned. "Not hardly. This isn't a hotel. I haven't had any female company in months. Now you just sit down and relax while I finish supper. You must be starving."