“That’s not necessary.”
“I’m not doing it for you.I want to volunteer.”
“You want to volunteer?”
“Why not?I’m able-bodied.”
Wade scanned her figure.He seemed to find it lacking, which annoyed her.
“Have you ever been to the high school?”
“No,” he admitted.
“Then you should follow me.”
“All right,” he said, and set the lunch on the front seat of his pickup.“Is there a chainsaw around here?”
“It doesn’t work.”
“What about a tow chain or rope?”
“In the toolshed.”
“Can you get the axe from the woodpile?”
“Sure.”
She grabbed the car keys, along with a rain jacket, before she collected the axe.It wasn’t raining now, but the weather could turn on a dime.He tossed the tools in the back of the pickup before climbing behind the wheel.She was impressed by his swift actions, and by his willingness to accept her help.He was quick on his feet despite his earlier stumble, and more open-minded than most men of her acquaintance.Meredith, unaccustomed to being treated like an equal, was momentarily dazzled.
Wade gestured to Wynona’s Subaru.“Lead the way.”
Chapter Three
Wade’s brow furrowedwith unease as he followed Mary down the road.
He didn’t have a police radio or a scanner in his personal vehicle, but his CB picked up local frequencies.Damage had been reported between Lost Lake and Rocksprings, so they were heading toward the destruction.There wasn’t much information about Lakeside, which concerned him.The trailer park community wasn’t accessible from the road they were on.He hoped its residents had been spared.
Wade tried to focus on what was in front of him instead of worrying about things beyond his control.It was a constant struggle.He’d always felt the need to take on more responsibility than he could handle.He blamed his dysfunctional childhood and absentee parents.If he didn’t plan ahead and anticipate dangers, no one else would.
He wished he hadn’t agreed to follow Mary, even though she was more familiar with the country roads.His cell phone service had been spotty ever since they’d left the house.He knew the route would be dangerous.There might be debris to clear, overturned vehicles, spooked farm animals.Hill County was known for springs and caverns, with perforated volcanic bedrock that could form sinkholes at the drop of a hat.
When it started to rain, reducing visibility, he cursed under his breath.He was hungry, but too anxious to eat.His headache had receded to a dull throb.His throat was dry and his palms were sweaty.
Mary drove at a brisk pace, avoiding minor obstacles in the road with ease.Wade didn’t know what to think about her.He was suspicious of anyone his mother associated with because Wynona had taken in a lot of drifters.Mary Meadows—if that was her real name—didn’t resemble any ranch hand or caretaker he’d ever met.She looked more like a beauty queen on a run of bad luck.
It wasn’t her looks that unsettled him, though.It wasn’tonlyher looks, rather.It was her behavior, too.She had a scared-rabbit vibe that he found suspicious.He wasn’t used to women avoiding eye contact with him or acting aloof.Her touch had been gentle when she’d bandaged his hand, but she hadn’t lingered over the process.
Wade had to admit he expected deferential treatment from women.He gained their notice without trying.Females of all ages stood up straighter and smiled brighter in his presence.Daring ladies flirted with him shamelessly.Shy ones blushed and stammered.He’d been causing this reaction since the age of fourteen, so he’d become inured to it.He took the attention for granted.Women liked him, and he liked them right back.
Mary seemed immune to his charms.Wade couldn’t remember the last time a female had been indifferent toward him, with the exception of his mother, who was a special case.When he found a woman attractive, she usually returned the favor.He’d struck out with Natalie, but she hadn’t been indifferent to him.She’d fallen in love with someone else.
Wade pushed those thoughts aside and surveyed the rain-swept landscape.The damages appeared minor.Talk on the CB indicated an F3 level twister, which was a moderate rating.Several neighborhoods in Rocksprings had been hit hard, and there were no first responders in the area.
Wade considered his options.Rocksprings was less than ten miles away, much closer than the evacuation center in Lost Lake.Waiting for a coordinated emergency response to a remote location could take hours.If the roads were blocked by debris, it could takedays.It went against protocol to report to a disaster scene instead of the command center, and bringing a civilian along was definitely not recommended, but Wade felt compelled to act now.Lives might hang in the balance.
He flashed his lights at Mary, who pulled to the side of the road.He exited the vehicle and approached the driver’s-side window.
“I need to go to Rocksprings,” he said.“They’re requesting assistance.”
