Page 108 of Through the Storms
Carol’s mouth dropped open. “Why?”
“I was going to, but she’s in Edmond.”
Carol tilted her head. “And you can’t give her good news when she’s in Edmond?”’
Lana shook her head. “No, it’s not that. I was just getting ready to tell her, and then all hell broke loose. Britt and Asher were yelling for her to get on the road.” Lana sighed. “I blurted it out just as she was hanging up, but the line went dead. I don’t think she heard me.”
CHAPTER 40
Chloe trudged across themuddy puddles to the van. Her hair hung limp and wet against her head. After being hit by rain for the third time, she must look hideous. She glanced at herself in the side mirror. At least her concealer had held. She feared the bags under her eyes would be much worse than Riley’s should it be washed away.
Riley.To her credit, Riley tried to remain buoyant and lighthearted most of the day, but Chloe had caught her looking sadly in her direction when Riley didn’t know Chloe was watching.
This was their sixth chase of the day, and Chloe had had about enough. Not because it wasn’t interesting, but because she felt so lousy and wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. After repeated tries, she’d still not been able to reach Mia to wish her a happy birthday. Even though she knew it was just a day, it still tore her up. The knockout blow was knowing she’d caused the pain etched on Riley’s face.
Today, she couldn’t help but feel like a failed human being who’d made a mess of everything.Melodramatic? Maybe.But being drenched didn’t help her disposition. She climbed into the van and plopped down in her seat. The others were still riveted to the wedge cloud that was moving off to the north.
She let her head fall back onto the headrest and closed her eyes. She’d unsuccessfully tried meditation in the past and now wished she’d been better at it. Taking deep breaths, at least, seemed to slow her racing heart. She breathed in through her nose and held it for five beats before she blew the breath out of her mouth.
She’d just taken another breath when she was startled by a voice. “Are you okay?”
Chloe opened her eyes and looked up into Oakley’s concerned eyes.
Chloe smiled and ran her hand through her wet hair. “I feel like a drowned rat. I thought I’d come in here for some peace and quiet.”
Oakley smiled. “And then I come in and interrupt you.”
“God, no. I didn’t mean it that way.” Chloe touched Oakley’s arm. “Please, don’t think I’m not enjoying myself.”
Oakley motioned with her head toward the seat next to Chloe. “Mind if I sit?”
“Of course not.” Chloe slid over into Riley’s empty seat to make room for Oakley. As soon as she did, a tingly sensation rushed through her body. Did she just have a reaction to sitting in the same seat that Riley normally occupied?
Oakley sat. “I wanted to ask your opinion on our next destination.”
“Mine?”
“Don’t look so surprised.” Oakley laughed.
“I’m just not sure what help I can be.”
“When I talked to Lana earlier, she’d given me her opinion on where the storms could possibly hit late this afternoon. When she said it, one of the towns stuck in my mind, and just a bit ago, I realized why.”
Oakley was trying to tell Chloe something, but in her tired state, Chloe struggled to make it out.
“Didn’t you say you were from Summerton?”
Chloe nodded.
“As you know, Summerton is part of the watch area, but I’ve been looking at the maps all afternoon, and I think Lana’s going to be spot on. Summerton will likely be directly in the path.”
“Oh, god.” Chloe swallowed hard. Even though she’d never been active in social circles in town, she still had a few friends and many acquaintances there. And her house. Chloe put her hand against her chest.
“I wasn’t sure if it would be too much for you if we chased in that area or whether you’d prefer I go after a different cell.”
Chloe’s stomach churned as she wrestled with her response. “On one hand, I want to stay as far away as possible since Mia’s safe in Texas, but on the other hand, I feel a draw to be there.” Chloe wrinkled her nose. “Does that make any sense?”
“Absolutely.” Oakley squeezed her arm. “What do you say I give you a little time?” Oakley motioned outside. “I need to round up the gang.”
