Page 60 of Through the Storms
Britt laughed. “You keep telling yourself that.”
“I’m not talking about it.” Oakley put on her best stern face, although she suspected it missed the mark. “I want to go over a few things with the National Weather Service team. This afternoon is shaping up to be my best opportunity.”
Britt rolled her eyes. “I’m not gonna fight with you. But I want it noted for the record, if you take the Oakanator out without telling Lana beforehand, she’ll be pissed.”
“What’s the point in telling her? She’ll just worry.”
“Um, yeah!”
“There’s no need for worry.” Oakley crossed her arms over her chest.
“Right. You’re just driving an untested piece of equipment into the heart of the storm. What’s there to worry about?” Britt rolled her eyes before she turned away.
“It sounds worse when you say it like that,” Oakley called after her.
Britt kept walking.
CHAPTER 24
Oakley tightened the chinstrap of her helmet. This was it. She was really going to do it. Twice, earlier in the day, she’d readied herself, only to have the storm dissipate. This time, it didn’t look as if it would.
Standing alone by the side of the road, she glanced at the gathering storm clouds off to the southwest. They’d been tracking the development for the past hour, and in the last ten minutes, the cloud mass had grown substantially. The blue skies had given way to a gathering swirling miasma, and even though it was only four o’clock, it would soon be dark as night.
Asher and the crew from the National Weather Service had gotten the Oakanator ready to go; all she needed to do was drive. For the last fifteen minutes, the mood in the van had been somber, so she was glad to be out of it. As much as she tried to joke with the others, the tension was thick. Oakley understood the dangers, but she trusted the engineers. The Oakanator would hold up.
Peggy and Sandy had been bold enough to voice their fears, while Chloe and Riley were more stoic. Oakley found that she couldn’t make eye contact with Chloe. Something about the concern in her eyes reminded her of Lana.
Even the normally boisterous Britt was muted. Asher was the only one who didn’t make her uncomfortable. He was his normal teasing self. It must be a twin thing. He just knew what she needed. His reaction always gave her a false sense of safety. If she were in danger, wouldn’t his twin senses alert him?Sure.That was what she would believe.
They’d gotten farther ahead of this storm than the previous day’s chases, so she could get the Oakanator into the best position. The convoy would follow her to within two miles of the storm and stop, while Oakley would continue in the Oakanator. Being her first run, she wasn’t sure what to expect. They’d tried in the past with other vehicles with limited success, but she felt different this time. With a state-of-the-art vehicle and the cannon launcher, maybe she could finally contribute to science in a meaningful way.
Oakley gave the storm clouds one last look before she turned away. The group had graciously given her time to collect herself, but it was time to rejoin them. When she neared the group, she called out, “Let’s do this.” She put more conviction into her voice than she felt.
Oakley looked down at her cellphone. Should she send anI love youmessage to Lana.No.She’d called earlier, but Lana hadn’t answered her phone. At least she’d tried. Oakley planned on making it out safe, so she didn’t need to send a message now.
“Do you want me to try her again once you head into the storm?” Britt asked, obviously sensing Oakley’s struggle.
Oakley shook her head. “No. Only call her if—”
“No!” Britt poked her finger into Oakley’s chest. “Don’t even say shit like that to me.”
Oakley held up both hands in a gesture of surrender. “Whoa. Okay. Geesh. I get it.” She knew she’d almost violated the oath they’d taken years ago. Never go into a situation with fear and never talk about not making it out.
Normally, she abided by the rules, but the fight with Lana had rattled. Even though things were better between them, a lingering foreboding hung over her on this trip. One she hadn’t been able to fully shake.
Part of Oakley wanted to hug Britt and Asher before she pulled out, but that too would be a sign of weakness that she couldn’t show. Instead, she pointed at Asher. “You’re buying me a beer tonight.”
He smiled his easy smile. “I’ll buy you one for the attempt and two if you get the sensors into the air.”
“Even more incentive, any time I can get your cheap ass to open your wallet.” Oakley turned to walk away but stopped. She realized she’d not addressed the occupants of her van who were likely worried about her, too.
“Hey, gang,” Oakley said to the huddled group. She bit back a smile at how close the four women stood, as if they could draw strength from one another. The newlyweds, on the other hand, were off in their own world, so Oakley let them be. “After this, we’re going to celebrate in style tonight. What do you say we head back to Wichita and hit that steak and seafood place we’ve passed the last couple days?”
“Yum.” Riley rubbed her stomach. She was obviously trying to set the others’ minds at ease. “I could go for a good New York strip steak.”
“Lobster for me,” Chloe added.
Oakley’s heart warmed. She could see the panic in their eyes, but they were doing all they could to feign nonchalance. “I’ll do you one better. I’m going for the surf and turf.” Oakley gave them a big smile. “I’ll see you in a few.”
