Page 109 of Through the Storms

“Thank you.” Chloe gave Oakley a smile, but she feared it came out weak. The thought of a tornado hitting Summerton drained what little energy she had left.

Once Oakley exited the van, Chloe let her head fall back and closed her eyes. Did she want to go toward Summerton or not? She’d not come to an answer when her phone sounded. It wasn’t Mia’s ringtone, but maybe it was Dennis. She shoved her hand into her bag and pulled out her cellphone.

It was an unfamiliar number, so she swiped the screen to reject the call. Probably another car warranty. She was sick of telemarketers. She dropped the phone onto her lap and closed her eyes. The phone sounded again. She opened one eye. Same number, so she swiped once more, hoping the caller would get the hint.

The others had arrived at the van and filed in. Riley let Peggy and Sandy enter before she jumped in. Riley smiled at Chloe. “Tired of getting rained on?”

Chloe smiled. “Yeah.” Her phone sounded again. “Geez, what’s with this idiot? This is the third time in a row.”

Riley narrowed her eyes. “Maybe you should answer it.”

“Ya think?”

“You never know.”

“Hello,” Chloe said into the phone.

“Mom!”

“Mia? Is that you?” Chloe’s fatigue from moments earlier receded.

“Mom! Thank god you answered,” Mia cried out.

What in the hell had Dennis done now? “What’s the matter?” Chloe asked.

Oakley shut the van door and climbed into the passenger seat.

“I’m scared.” Mia’s voice broke up, and Chloe heard a strange sound in the background.

“What’s that noise?”

“The siren’s going off.”

“What siren?” Chloe’s heart sank. “Where are you?”

“At Dad’s house.” There was no mistaking Mia’s tears now.

“In Summerton?”

“Yes. I don’t know what to do.”

Oakley swiveled in her chair and met Chloe’s gaze. “She’s in Summerton?”

Chloe nodded. “Where’s your father?”

“Dallas. I locked myself in my room this morning, so he said he was leaving without me. He hasn’t come back.”

“He left you there alone? What the hell was he thinking?”

Oakley dropped down on one knee in front of Chloe and put her hand on Chloe’s leg. “I need you to let me talk to her.”

Chloe looked at Oakley confused.

“The siren’s going off,” Oakley said. “There’s a tornado coming.”

Oakley’s words jolted Chloe out of her shock. “Baby, I have Oakley here. She’s an expert on tornadoes. She’s going to tell you what you need to do.” Chloe shoved the phone toward Oakley.

“I’m putting you on speaker phone, so your mom can hear, too,” Oakley said. “How long has the siren been going off?”