Page 111 of Through the Storms
“Yeah.” Mia snorted. “I didn’t even get cupcakes like you always get me.”
“We’ll have cupcakes next weekend when we celebrate,” Chloe said.
“Chocolate?”
“With sprinkles.”
“Yum. And red velvet.”
“Duh, what do you think I’m gonna eat?”
“Now that I’m older, I might want those, too.”
“Ah, your taste buds have matured,” Chloe teased. Her heart still raced, but she needed to stay calm for Mia.
“Mom?” Mia’s voice rose. “What’s that sound?”
Chloe snapped her head in Oakley’s direction.
Oakley’s face drained of color, and Chloe’s stomach churned.
“Does it sound like an airplane? Or train?” Oakley asked.
“Yeah,” Mia said. “It sounds like it’s getting closer.”
Chloe squeezed Riley’s hand. “Baby.”
The sound grew louder, and Mia screamed.
“Mia,” Chloe yelled into the phone, but it went dead.
She jumped to her feet and frantically looked around the van. Oakley and Riley rose to their feet, too.
Oakley stood in front of her and put a hand on each of Chloe’s shoulders. “Listen to me. I need you to stay as calm as possible.”
“That was a tornado, wasn’t it?” Chloe yelled.
Oakley nodded. “I believe so.”
Chloe punched the redial button on her phone, but the call didn’t go through. She tried again and again. Her entire body quivered, and she feared her legs wouldn’t hold her much longer. As her panic mounted, she jabbed at the redial button harder each time, willing it to connect.
CHAPTER 41
“Britt, we need toget to Summerton,” Oakley said over her shoulder.
When Oakley turned back, Riley was holding Chloe up. All color had drained from Chloe’s face, and she stood immobilized, likely in shock. Oakley pushed open the door, jumped out of the van, and yelled to Asher, who was just climbing into his van.
Asher sprinted over. “What’s wrong?”
“I think Summerton just got hit. Chloe’s daughter’s there.”
Asher’s eyes widened.
“I need you to take my passengers. Britt and I are taking Chloe to Summertonnow.We won’t be obeying the speed limit.”
“Of course.” He hopped into their van. “Everyone, I need you to disembark. You’ll be going with me.”
The sisters moved faster than Oakley had believed them capable. They put a reassuring hand on Chloe’s shoulder as they passed. The newlyweds filed out behind them.
