Storm Season by Pene Henson

Author:Pene Henson [Henson, Pene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Interlude Press
Published: 2017-02-03T01:55:29+00:00

9

Lien climbs into the truck. Claudie faces the steering wheel, but she hesitates, one strong hand on the wheel, the other on the ignition. Lien flashes to a hundred other things those hands can do. Claudie starts the car. Lien’s stomach twists. She can’t make this okay.

They drive in silence until Claudie turns on the radio.

The creek’s up ahead. They pass a sign for the campsite. Lien is a whole different person from the one who arrived a few days ago. Well, maybe not a whole different person. She’s still not sure she likes camping. But she made it through an actual storm and had time to think without people on every side. She can cope with silence now.

Lien turns the radio down. “Before we, um, go our separate ways, I do want to thank you. For the hospitality.”

Claudie’s eyes flick to her, faintly amused.

Lien blushes. “Hush. You know what I mean.”

“I do know.” Claudie’s mouth lifts up at one corner. “I do know. No thanks needed. Honestly.” For a second their gazes meet. Then Claudie turns back to the road.

When they cross the creek, the water goes halfway up the tires. Higher. They move forward slowly. For a moment it seems as if they’ll need to turn around and head to the cabin. Maybe forever. But Claudie keeps the truck fording through, and too soon they’re on the main road heading down into the town.

They find Lien’s friends in the information center parking lot. They’re standing about, eying the tents spread on the asphalt before them. The tents have obviously been laid out in the sun to dry, though they still look pretty wet.

The pleasure of seeing everyone waiting bubbles up inside Lien. As soon as the car stops, she reaches for her door and swings herself out of the truck. She limps across the parking lot.

“Li!” Beau beams at her, and Annie squeaks with pleasure and bounds over. They both hug her tightly.

“You survived,” Annie says. “Not that we doubted it for a second.” The others hug Lien too: Raf and Matty, Megan and Kam.

“With some help,” says Lien. She looks back at the truck. Claudie’s climbed out and is standing awkwardly beside it. She is beautiful and out of place next to Lien’s friends.

“Hi. You must be Claudia,” says Annie. She holds out a hand to Claudie. “I’ve seen you play. And Ranger Shelley told us heaps about you.”

Claudie shakes her hand.

Annie goes on. “We’re so glad you found Lien. No idea what she was doing wandering around in the bush at night.” She frowns at Lien. “But we’d hate to have lost her. And this whole camping outdoors thing is new for us.”

Claudie smiles. “Yes, it sounds like it. You’re Annie?”

“I am.” Annie’s cheeks turn pink. She’s clearly pleased to be recognized.

“And Beau,” says Claudie turning to him. Beau shakes her offered hand.

Beau says, “It’s good to meet you. Put a face to the person who rescued our girl.”

“You too. I hear you’ve been tearing up the town.

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