Page 80 of Through the Storms

Lana smoothed her skirtas she hurried into the hotel’s tiny breakfast nook.Damn Oakley.Lana had been dressed and ready to head back to Oklahoma City when Oakley awoke. Before Lana knew it, her clothes were strewn all over the hotel room, and she was back in bed with Oakley. Her skirt had paid the price; she had the wrinkles to prove it.

A slight smile pursed her lips. It had been worth it. So she’d be late. It was the first time in all the years she’d been at the station. Besides, she didn’t go on air this morning, anyway. She’d at least make it by the afternoon.

Shit.Was there really a line for coffee? It was six a.m., for god’s sake, and the line was four people deep. She tapped her foot. Did she have time to wait?

She was already going to be late, so what was a few more minutes? She’d call Carol from the road and let her know. Lana let out a long slow breath.

The woman in front of her turned around.Shit.She must have heard Lana snorting.

The woman smiled, but Lana was struck by the sadness in her eyes. On closer look, the woman’s eyes were rimmed with red as if she’d been crying. She’d seen this woman somewhere.Yes.At the party last night, she was one of Oakley’s tornado chasers.

Lana smiled. “Sorry if it sounded like I was huffing. I was thinking about the long drive ahead of me.”

“No, you’re fine,” the woman said.

“You’re with the Two Trees tour, aren’t you?” Lana asked. Why did she say that? The woman was about to turn back around, and then Lana could go back to her own thoughts.

“Chloe…Chloe Crawford.” The woman held out her hand. “And you’re Lana Monroe.”

“Nice to meet you.” Lana took her hand. “I recognized you from the party last night.”

“That was some celebration.” Chloe stepped forward as the line in front of her moved.

“Oakley, Asher, and Britt know how to celebrate.” Lana smiled and shook her head. “They were actually pretty tame.”

Chloe let out a small chuckle. Her eyes still looked sad, but they had a little more life in them than when Lana had first walked up. “It was priceless when you came in—the look on Oakley’s face. I hope someone recorded it.”

“I’m sure Britt did. Besides, their cameraman is everywhere.” Lana shook her head. “I’m not sure how he does it. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear there were five of him.”

“Cameraman?” Chloe’s eyes narrowed.

“Didn’t Oakley mention it at orientation? Each of you gets your own video of the experience.”

“Duh.” Chloe slapped her palm against her forehead. “I forgot all about him.”

“That’s the other thing.” Lana shook her finger. “He’s a ghost. He fades into the woodwork, and you forget he’s there.”

“Obviously, I did.” Chloe moved up in the line, and Lana followed. “Would you want to share a table?” Chloe averted her gaze as soon as she asked and pointed at the line forming behind Lana. “I can’t believe this place is so busy this early.”

Lana should get her coffee and Danish and hit the road, but something about the sadness in Chloe’s eyes gave her pause.What the hell?She was a meteorologist not a social worker. “Sure,” Lana heard herself say. “You can tell me how you’re enjoying the tour.”

A shadow crossed Chloe’s face, but it passed quickly. “Yes. I’d like that.”

Good.Lana could pass it off as market research for Oakley.

As soon as they sat down with their coffee and pastries, Chloe said, “I believe you noticed my reaction earlier. I didn’t want you to think that it had anything to do with the job Oakley and her crew are doing.”

Lana considered pretending she hadn’t noticed, but something about Chloe made her want to be more genuine. “Yes, I did notice.” Lana smiled. “Oakley would interrogate me for hours if she thought I had intel on someone not enjoying themselves.”

Chloe smiled. It was such a natural smile that enhanced her girl-next-door attractiveness. “She’s amazing. All of them are.” She tore the corner off her scone.

“But?” Lana said with a raised eyebrow.

“No, no.” Chloe dropped the piece of scone to her plate and lowered her gaze. It was several seconds before she glanced up. “Okay, you’re right, there is abut, but it doesn’t have anything to do with Two Trees.”

“In other words, it’s personal, and you want me to back off.”

Chloe shook her head and put her hand on top of her head and pretended to squeeze it. “Ugh. I keep saying the wrong thing. I’m not telling you to butt out.”