Page 81 of Through the Storms

“Oh, good, I was starting to get a complex.” Lana winked to let Chloe know she was teasing. She hoped it would erase the deep crease in Chloe’s forehead.

“Let me try this again.” Chloe closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She held up her cellphone. “I’m waiting for my daughter to wake up, so I can call her. But she won’t be up for another half an hour. I guess I’m edgier than I thought.”

“Is something the matter? Is that why you looked…”Crap.It probably wasn’t appropriate to mention that Chloe looked as if she’d been crying. “Looked so sad when I got in line.”

Chloe nodded. “Partially.” Before Lana could analyze the answer, Chloe continued. “It’s her, Mia, my daughter’s birthday week. It’s the first time I’ve been away from her on her birthday.”

“How old is she?”

“She’ll be fourteen.”

Lana’s eyebrows shot up.

Chloe laughed. “I’m hoping that reaction means you think I don’t look old enough to have a fourteen-year-old, not that you thought my daughter was twenty-five.”

Lana chuckled. “The former. You certainly don’t look old enough to have a teenager.”

“Thanks. Most times, I don’t feel like I’m old enough or more like prepared enough to have one, either.”

“So you’re struggling being away from her?”

Chloe’s eyes glistened. “Yeah. And then last night, during the…uh…the celebration, I missed several calls and a slew of texts from her. I didn’t find them until this morning.” Chloe tore another piece of her scone. “I feel like such a bad mother.”

Lana studied Chloe for a few seconds, trying to determine whether there was something more. “I don’t mean to pry, but I’d assume she was staying with someone—an adult.”

“I guess you could say that.” Chloe snorted. “Her father. My ex-husband.”

“Ah. You’re not convinced of his competence.” Lana blew on her coffee and took her first sip. She hated it when it was too hot.

“Exactly.” Chloe sighed. “It’s the longest I’ve been away from her since the divorce last year.” Chloe snorted. “Actually, it’s the longest I’ve been away from her ever. Her father insisted on having her on her birthday.”

Lana’s heart went out to Chloe. How awful she must feel. “Is that why you came on this trip?”

“Partially. I knew it would be torture knowing Mia was celebrating her birthday across town but not being able to be there.” With gusto, Chloe ripped another piece of scone.

“That’s rough. But you said you came on the trip partially because of her birthday, what else spurred you to chase tornadoes?” Lana took another sip of her coffee.

“On somewhat of a whim, I decided to do something daring after the divorce.” Chloe grinned. “I’m afraid of heights, so skydiving was out.”

Lana smiled. There was something so likeable about Chloe. No wonder Oakley had said she had a great group on this tour. “Yeah, definitely go for something safer, like tornado chasing.”

Chloe’s laugh reached her eyes for the first time since they’d sat.

“If you don’t mind me asking, you said Mia was frantically trying to reach you, is everything all right?”

“Nope. The sky is falling.” Chloe shook her head and smiled. “The most popular girl in school completely ignored Chloe after science class yesterday.”

“Ouch. Snubbed her?”

“Who knows with Mia? She’s at the age where everything is high drama. The poor girl could have just not seen Mia or been talking to someone else, but in Mia’s mind, Sara hates her.”

“Which means her social life is in the toilet, and she’ll have to hide her head in shame for the rest of her life.”

“Exactly. And Lucas, the boy she likes, didn’t understand why she was so upset. Do you have kids?”

Lana held up her hand. “No, no. Two nieces about the same age as Mia. My brother hides in his shed most of the time. Which suits my sister-in-law fine since he comes from therub some dirt on it, and it’ll be finecamp.”

“Ow.” Chloe clapped her hand against her chest. “That’s a sure way to escalate the situation.”