Page 115 of Through the Storms

“Thanks, babe,” Oakley said. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Lana said.

“I’ve gotta help Britt get the wagon out of the road, so we can keep moving.”

“The what?”

“I’ll tell you later. Love you.” Oakley disconnected before Lana could quiz her any further.

CHAPTER 42

Riley feared the nearmiss in the van would cause Chloe to withdraw further into herself; instead, it had the opposite effect. Chloe’s eyes were bright—alert—as they drove toward Summerton.

After they’d moved the wagon out of their path, Britt had driven slower, more cautiously, for the rest of the way. Riley was in awe at how masterfully Britt had handled the obstacle course of flying debris and gotten them through safely.

“I can’t believe you let the van get hit by that wagon,” Oakley said. “The insurance company is going to have your ass.”

In the short time with Britt and Oakley, Riley had grown to appreciate their bickering for what it was—a way to relieve stress. She experienced the same with her EMT crew. Sometimes other people read it as callous, but Riley understood the need for release.

“I just saved your ass, and that’s all you have to say?” Britt sniped.

“Saved me? Shit, if I were driving, I would have threaded the needle through the obstacle course, and we never would have had to stop.”

“In your dreams.” Britt shot Oakley a quick scowl.

“Keep your eyes on the road.” Oakley pointed. “We can’t have you running over any more tractors.”

Britt muttered, but then they drove in silence. Riley was lost in her thoughts as she examined the debris littering the ditches. Pieces of cars, machinery, barns, and likely houses were scattered throughout the fields. It was hard telling whether it was from nearby farmhouses or from Summerton. It was nothing she planned to verbalize to Chloe.

Chloe continued to hold her hand loosely as they drove, and Riley certainly wasn’t going to complain. Having Chloe’s tiny hand in hers brought her peace.

“We’re about a mile out,” Oakley said. “Chloe, which side of town do you live on?”

“My house is on the south side. Dennis lives on the north.”

A shadow crossed Oakley’s face, but it disappeared quickly. “Britt, I think we want to approach from the south.”

Britt narrowed her eyes and looked at Oakley. Something unspoken must have happened between the two because Britt said, “Yep, that’s what I was planning on doing.” She turned down a side road.

Chloe pointed. “But it’s closer staying on this road. It goes right into town.”

Oakley nodded. “Yeah. But since we aren’t emergency personnel, it’ll be better to come in from the south. Sometimes the first responders can get kinda cranky with storm chasers getting in the way.” Oakley nodded toward Riley. “No offense.”

“I understand,” Riley said. “It’s better to give them room to work.”

Chloe seemed satisfied with the answer and leaned back in her seat. The strain on her face was evident, but a steely determination had come over her, as well.

As they drove into Summerton from the south, it was evident that the storm had missed part of the town. Other than scattered tree limbs and a few downed trees, there was little damage.

Chloe pointed down a side street. “Looks like our house was spared.”

As they approached Main Street, the evidence of the storm began to grow. People were milling around downtown outside of the shops that didn’t seem to have been hit. Britt slowed as a man wearing a reflective vest stepped into her path.

Oakley rolled down her window and stuck her head out. “Good afternoon,” she called to the man.

The man looked at Britt sitting in the driver’s seat and then walked toward the passenger side.

“Storm’s already been through,” he said. “We don’t need any chasers getting in the way.”