Page 59 of Through the Storms

Lana knew Oakley avoided chasing near towns or populated areas, so the patrons wouldn’t be exposed to the destructive horrors of a tornado. Seeing the impact to fields and farms was enough.

“You can’t always know,” Lana said, offering reassurance. “I’m sure a good night’s sleep gave your group a chance to recuperate.”

“I’m hoping. What are you seeing on the radar today?”

Lana glanced at her computer. “I’ve been studying it since I got off the air earlier. I even called my friend at the Weather Service. I couldn’t get a definitive answer out of her, but my bet is that they issue a warning for Friday and Saturday.”

Oakley whistled. “It’s only Wednesday. They must be pretty sure of what they’re seeing to issue so early.”

“It’s not unprecedented.”

“No,” Oakley agreed. “But they don’t do it lightly, so if they do, the chances of severe weather increases tenfold. Any clue on the scope?”

“I believe a large part of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, and a portion of Texas.” Lana clicked through several projection maps before she stopped on the map she was searching for. “If things hold, Oklahoma City and the surrounding area will be the epicenter of the converging air masses.”

Oakley let out a loud exhalation. “That’s the same conclusion I came to this morning. When do you think they’ll announce?”

“My bet is right before the evening news—five o’clock.” Lana looked away from her computer screen. Just looking at it made her skin crawl. This could be big.

“If they issue the warning this soon, I’m coming back your way. Chase closer to home.”

As much as Lana missed Oakley, the timing couldn’t be worse. Lana still hadn’t decided if she would go to L.A. for the interview on Friday. Guilt washed over her, but it would be better to tell Oakley in person, she rationalized. If she returned to the area to chase, Lana could tell her then.

“Did you hear me?” Oakley said.

Shit.Lana had been lost in her thoughts and hadn’t responded. “Um, yeah. I was just checking out the radar.”Ugh.Now she was lying. More guilt. Lana needed to shift the focus. “What’s on your agenda today? Where are you chasing?”

“Um, hold on.” A rustling sound came from Oakley’s end of the call. “Yeah, Britt. I’ll be right there,” Oakley’s voice came out muffled. “Hey, babe. Britt needs me to help with the van before we roll out.”

“I’ll talk to you tonight?”

“Definitely. We aren’t staying out until midnight again. Um, I gotta go, but I just want you to know that I love you. I love you more than anything in this world, more than life itself.”

Wow.Where had that declaration come from? Oakley was always fast to say,I love you, but she wasn’t one to gush. Did she sense that Lana was keeping something from her? “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I just wanted you to know how much I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“What the hell was that all about?” Britt scowled at Oakley. “Why’d you tell Lana that I needed your help?”

Guilt gnawed at Oakley. “I thought maybe you did.”

“I call bullshit.” The irritated look remained on Britt’s face. “How long have I known you?” Britt held up her hand. “That was rhetorical. You didn’t tell her, did you?”

Oakley hung her head. “No.”

Britt shook her head. “She’s gonna be so pissed. You’re playing with fire. And you know what happens to those who play with fire?”

“They get burned.” Oakley let out a deep sigh. “I didn’t want her to worry about me.”

“Oh, yeah, I’m sure that’ll work out well for you.”

“Do you always have to be so sarcastic?” Oakley knew her voice held a challenging edge, but at the moment, she didn’t care. It was almost as if she were trying to pick a fight to alleviate some of her own guilt.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” Britt wagged her finger at Oakley. “You were a chicken shit.”

Oakley shrugged. She didn’t have much of a defense. “Better to ask forgiveness than permission.”