Page 44 of Through the Storms

“You got it.” Suddenly, the rope disappeared.

A collective groan rose from the gathered crowd.

“And that, my friends,” Asher said, “is what we call roping out.”

“It’s over,” someone said, the disappointment evident.

“Afraid so.” Oakley moved up beside Asher. “No reason to get discouraged. We have plenty of chasing ahead of us. Remember what I told you yesterday. It’s not an exact science and requires patience.”

“What if I don’t have patience?” Peggy said with a huge smile.

“Then you’re in the wrong sport.” Oakley laughed. “I’m not the most patient person who graced this earth, but chasing has given me a healthy dose of it.”

“Trust us,” Asher said. “Conditions are ripe. This will be the first of many.”

The cloud continued to move off to the north, but it had already lightened considerably.

Asher leaned over. “I think we’re done with this one.”

“Yep. I’ve been watching another pattern a little farther north,” Oakley said. “Keep the troops entertained while I go check out the satellites.”

CHAPTER 19

Mia screamed and reachedfor Chloe, but Chloe couldn’t reach her. Chloe’s desperation grew as the visibility around Mia worsened. It was as if a fog, or perhaps the swirling debris from the tornado, made it difficult for Chloe to see Mia.

Chloe screamed when Mia disappeared into the vortex.

Something gripped Chloe’s arm and held it firmly. “Chloe. Chloe!”

Chloe jerked, and her eyes popped open. She blinked several times against the murky light. Her heart raced, and she struggled to breathe.

“It’s okay,” the gentle voice said. “You must have been having a bad dream.”

“Is she okay?” another voice asked.

Still disoriented, Chloe looked toward the sound of the voice and saw Oakley’s concerned face.

Oakley.They were still in the van.Her pounding heart slowed. It still raced, but she no longer feared it would break through her chest.

“I’m so sorry,” Chloe said as she sat up. Without thinking, she reached up and swiped at the wet spot on Riley’s shoulder. “Oh, god, did I do that?” Could someone die of embarrassment?

“Relax.” Riley patted Chloe’s hand. “You just about scared me to death. I think I’d about fallen asleep myself.”

Chloe glanced out the window. The traffic was heavier than any they’d seen all day. “Where are we?”

“Wichita,” Oakley said. “Just about to our destination. “We decided to treat the group to nicer accommodations. I have a friend that gives us a sweet deal during the week.”

“How nice.” Chloe blinked. “Did someone scrape my eyes with sandpaper?”

“One of the hazards of storm chasing, straining your eyes all day,” Oakley said. “Remind me to dig out the eyedrops when we stop.”

“What time is it, anyway?” Chloe tried to raise her arm to check her watch, but her arm was dead weight. “How long have I been asleep?” She shook out her arm, and her fingertips tingled.

“It’s about quarter to ten. You’ve been out for nearly an hour and Riley for about twenty minutes.” Oakley pointed toward Britt, who had just made a left-hand turn into the hotel parking lot. “And Britt’s been asleep for the last ten.”

Chloe laughed, happy the terror of earlier had passed. “That was some nightmare.”

“Tornadoes?” Oakley asked.