Page 5 of Through the Storms

He snorted. “Sure, alittle.I barely saw ya.”

“We’ve been a bit short handed, so I offered to pitch in. Besides, I love what I do.”

“Always taking care of everyone else.” He shook his head. “What, sixty, eighty, a hundred hours?” When she didn’t respond, he said, “And here I thought maybe you were shacked up with some hot little blonde.”

“Don’t you know by now that I don’tpick upwomen?” Riley shut the pickup door, hoping she could escape this conversation. “I ain’t you.”

He laughed. “I could teach you a thing or two.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.” She leaned against the side of her pickup and met his gaze. “It’s not how I’m built. The right woman will come along, eventually.”

“Not if you work all the time and never put yourself out there.”

“I like my life just fine the way it is.”

“Just seems like a shame.” Gary’s eyes softened. “You’re one of the good ones, Riley. You and Sparky deserve someone to come home to at night.”

The irritation she’d been feeling waned. Even though he liked to bust her chops, he truly wanted what was best for her. “Thanks, man. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

“Speaking of worrying, you be careful out there. Don’t go being a hero.”

She thought of making a smartass retort, but the look on his face brought her up short. “I’ll be fine. These storm chasers are professionals. They won’t put me in any danger.”

“Still, be safe and use your instincts,” he said. When she gave him a puzzled look, he continued. “You’ve got the best instincts of anyone I’ve ever met, so don’t let some hot shot storm chasers intimidate you. Follow your gut.”

“Yes, Mom,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.

He laughed and scratched his beard. “Don’t forget to wear clean underwear.”

“Duly noted.” She stepped onto the running board of her truck and hopped into the driver’s seat.

Gary smirked. “Nice boots.”

She stuck her foot back out the door, gave him a crooked smile, and lifted one eyebrow. “Chick magnet?”

“In your dreams.” He motioned toward the road with his head. “Get the hell out of here or you’re gonna be late.”

“I’ll miss you, too,” she said as she fired up the engine.

CHAPTER 4

As Oakley waited forLana to open her eyes, she could barely contain her excitement. She’d likely miscalculated bringing Lana outside in her bare feet, but soon they’d be in the car and off the cold sidewalk.

Oakley gave one more glance at the driveway before she turned her focus back to Lana. Oakley would never get tired of how the sun brought out the colors in Lana’s long brown hair. No wonder the station put her on air so often, she was beautiful.

Wow.Odd time to be thinking about that. Was she stalling?No.Surely, Lana would be as excited as Oakley. Well, that was likely impossible, but still Lana would appreciate how much of herself Oakley put into this surprise.

She’d spent the last three months, since she’d gotten the check from her grandmother’s estate, waiting for this moment. It had been difficult keeping the secret for so long and doing all the planning behind Lana’s back. All the phone calls, texts, andemails she’d been able to keep hidden, so Lana hadn’t suspected anything.

Although, that was likely not true. The last two weeks, Oakley thought Lana had become suspicious. There was something in Lana’s demeanor that signaled she knew something was up. Oakley was glad the deception was finally over.

“Okay, open them,” Oakley practically shouted.

Lana’s eyes popped open, and then her mouth did, as well.

Oakley studied Lana’s face, trying to interpret the reaction. Her mouth gaped, which was the same reaction Oakley had the first time she’d laid eyes on the gem sitting in the driveway. There was something else, though. Lana’s flushed face continued to redden with each passing second.

Oakley narrowed her eyes. Should she say something or wait for Lana to speak?