Page 5 of Chasing Storm

Chapter 3

Fog and condensation cover the car windows. In the back seat, Teagan’s body curls into mine. My head rested against the car door all night and now my neck aches. I scoot Teagan under me, so I can step out to take a piss and check out our surroundings. As soon as I open the car door, cold air prickles my skin, reminding me not to venture too far. Sun shoots through part of the broken roof and missing wood planks. We drove in, parked, and slept, and didn’t have an opportunity to see what’s around. The barn has old cans of paint, rusted tools, and a soiled oil floor. It doesn’t appear to have been used for animals. There’s a scuffle in the rafters above. My body automatically moves to block the door near Teagan, and I reach for my gun. I fire off a shot when a cat drops onto the car roof, hissing before scurrying away.

My chin drops to my chest, inhaling and shaking my head. I’m on edge. Fuck! I have to expunge this pent-up energy or we’re as good as dead. Is this how it will be for the rest of my life? Looking over my shoulder for the next potential crisis? Damn, Tea! She shouldn’t live like this. Her words broke my resolve to leave her in that town. To give her what she’s worthy of. And speaking of my angel, she climbs out of the car, eyes adjusting to the light. With messy hair and wrinkled clothes, she puts her hand in front of her mouth, blows, and crinkles her nose. She’s fucking adorable.

Tea gathers her hair and puts it in a ponytail while asking, “Where are we?”

“No idea.”

She tilts her head. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

I scrounge through the shelves and cabinets, looking for something to clue me in, but there’s nothing. The door handle hangs half off its hinges. My hand holds the handle along with the door, opening it enough to slip outside.

Over my shoulder, I demand, “Stay.”

“Wait. Don’t leave me here.”

I give her a stern look. “Keep your ass inside.”

Her heavy sigh follows me outside the barn. I use my hand as a visor above my eyes. Weeds spread like crops across the field. The barn is set near a small forest. After skimming the area, there’s nothing else around. I return to find Tea brushing her teeth, using her toothbrush and bottled water.

My arms wrap around her waist, forcing her arms to hover outward, and I kiss her. A deep, lips dancing, good morning kiss.

We pull away and she says, “I hate you.” My eyebrows shoot up. “You never have morning breath. What’s with that?”

I laugh, holding her in my arms, chin resting on top of her head. This woman is smart, strong, and funny, and I get to spend the rest of my life with her. This thought kills the mood because the rest of my life might only be a day or two.

Teagan senses something. “What’s wrong, Joey?”

My head shakes to absorb the sadness so she doesn’t see it. “Nothing.” I smack her butt. “Let’s get something to eat in town.”

We park by the only food establishment in town other than the grocery store. The place is brimming with people, and when we walk in, all movement halts. Silverware clatters to the table, mouths’ ajar, their eyes rove up and down us.

A battered waitress, past her prime, approaches while cracking her gum. “You two new in town?”

I give Teagan’s hand a light squeeze and respond, “Just passing through for some food.”

She eyes us one more time, tics her head for us to follow, and seats us in a booth toward the back. I’d much rather sit in front so I can see what’s going on and be close to the exit. Except this clan of uptight misfits lack the hospitality, and they’re definitely not asking for requests. With my hand on Teagan’s lower back, I guide her, and she sits on the same side as me, facing the door. Conversations start up again, people return to what they were doing, and we become invisible…except to the cracking gum waitress.

She comes to our table, giving us the eye, flips her pad open and asks, “What can I get ya kids?” Teagan and I shout outcoffee. The waitress cocks her eyebrow. “Anything else?’

Teagan smiles at her. “Could we please have a minute to browse the menu?”

She blows a bubble, pops it, and walks away.

I give Teagan a side glance and smirk. “A real friendly fucking town. I hope she blows a bubble so big it pops and sticks in her hair.”

Teagan laughs while checking out the menu. My arm wraps around her shoulders, and I kiss the top of her head, inhaling her scent. I love this woman. Our lives weren’t the best, forced into a marriage neither of us wanted, but it brought us together. She’s the rainbow after a rain shower.

The waitress returns with our coffees. Her pen hovers above the pad of paper, chewing her gum like a cud-chewing cow.

Teagan closes her menu and rattles off. “I’d like a cheese omelet, hash browns, sausage links, and a stack of pancakes.”

My mouth falls open, and the waitress asks, “Where you plan on puttin’ it?”

Tea pats her stomach.

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