Page 16 of Through the Storms

“Where are you two sneaking off to?” Sandy called.

Riley turned, but Chloe didn’t. “Just wanted to get a little fresh air,” Riley said.

“We aren’t scaring you off, are we?” Sandy asked.

“No, ma’am.” Riley smiled at the sisters. “Just need a little time to process all the information we just heard, but I look forward to sharing the trip with y’all.”

“Such a charmer.” Peggy giggled. “If I were a little younger, I just might be tempted.”

“What are you talking about?” Sandy slapped her sister on the arm. “You ain’t gay.”

Heat rose in Riley’s cheeks. It wasn’t like Riley went around announcing her sexuality, but Peggy had effortlessly squeezed the information out of Riley earlier.

“Haven’t you been paying attention?” Peggy said to Sandy. “Sexuality is fluid now, not like it was back in our day.”

“Don’t be alarmed, sweetie,” Sandy said to Riley. “I’ll pour her fluidity back into a jar where it belongs.”

As the sisters argued, Riley and Chloe made their escape.

When they pushed through the door to the outside, Chloe let out a chuckle, which soon turned to full-blown laughter. “God, that was priceless.”

Riley still felt the heat in her cheeks, but it was good to see Chloe laughing. “I’m glad you’re finding amusement in my discomfort.”

Chloe turned abruptly with a look of panic on her face, but she relaxed when she saw Riley’s grin.

“I was teasing,” Riley said. “Maybe I should mind my own business, but you seem to be on edge. Is everything all right?”

Chloe let out a long sigh. “Apparently, this trip has me more uptight than I realized.” They got to the end of the sidewalk, and Chloe stopped. She brushed her dark brown hair away from her face before she pointed toward the lane they’d driven up to get to Two Trees. “Do you want to walk that way?”

“Sure.”

They walked in silence. Several questions jumped to Riley’s mind, but she didn’t ask them. Being raised around horses, she’d learned that it was better to let a nervous filly come to her rather than chase it.

Interesting that a filly came to mind when she thought of Chloe, but the analogy was an apt one.Skittishwas the word her dad would use to describe Chloe.

“I’m better.” Chloe held up her hand with her palm down. “Steady.”

“Are you having second thoughts? Afraid?”

They’d been walking at a fast clip, but Chloe slowed her pace, and Riley matched her stride. “Not of the storms,” Chloe said.

“Is there something else to be afraid of that I’m unaware of?” Riley raised her eyebrow. “Zombies?”

Riley’s attempt at levity earned her a smile from Chloe.Damn.Riley had never seen anyone with straighter or whiter teeth. Chloe’s smile did reach her dark brown eyes, but there was still something sitting behind the smile that Riley couldn’t identify.

“I’m just being silly.” Chloe waved her hand dismissively and picked up the pace.

“My mom always told me there’s nothing silly about feelings. The only silly thing is trying to pretend they aren’t there.”

“Wise woman.” Chloe slowed her walk.

Riley was about to joke that the abrupt changes in their pace were going to make her motion sick, but she feared Chloe mightthink Riley was making fun of her. “I know we just met, but we’re gonna be spending a lot of time together this week. I’m a good listener should you ever want to talk.”

“Thank you.” They reached the end of the lane and turned back. “I’ve been looking forward to this trip…”

“But?” Riley said when Chloe didn’t continue.

“Now I’m having second thoughts.” Chloe let out a half snort. “I’m feeling guilty.”