Friday forecast: Highs near 114 with severe thunderstorms likely. Funnel clouds possible in north Texas and southern portions of Oklahoma.

I gave Jackie a hug that finally made her struggle to regain her freedom.

“It hasn’t been that long,” she gasped, laughing. Sunrise was still a long way off. Jackie had, so far, been the first to arrive.

“How are you, honey?” she asked, as I poured out coffee from a thermos bottle. “I’m seein’ you took my advice about hard work for the lovelorn.”

I sat down beside her and sipped at the steaming mug. “And you were right, Jackie.” I bumped my shoulder into hers. “We’ve accomplished so much, and in so little time. I know the foundation’s going to be a success…”

“But you and Joe… not so much?”

I sighed and caught sight of cars in the distance. The troops were starting to arrive. It wasn’t the time for the real heart-to-heart that I needed.

“Not so much,” I said, standing up and stuffing my hair under my old hat. “I was starting to think so… maybe… But now we’re leaving. The timing could have been better, but I guess he’ll still be here when I get back.” I shook out the dregs of my coffee. “For a while, I couldn’t wait to leave. And now that we are… I’m not so sure…”

“Hey, sis,” Dean came up behind us, wrapping a brotherly arm around our shoulders. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and made Jackie blush to her toes by doing the same to her.

“You rascal,” she scolded, clearly pleased. “I hear you’re joining up with the nursing team, come next spring.”

“I am that,” he teased back. “Just a friendly warning… I’m going to be following you around like a puppy on this trip. I intend to fully exploit your wealth of experience.”

Jackie giggled like a girl, and I smiled as the two of them walked toward the van to greet a few new arrivals. People who sign on for this kind of job tend to thrive on adventure, and the hum of excitement filled the air.

By four-thirty, everyone had arrived and the last minute decisions were being made. Jackie was taking the lead, with Dean riding shotgun. All but two of the volunteers would ride with them. Our one married couple, Margie and Ron Walker, would follow in their own pickup, and Ryan would follow in the largest of the trucks. Our newest full-timer, a tall, gentle medical student named Henry, was riding with him. I’d bring up the rear with the box truck that carried most of our personal gear and supplies.

I took one last look around and double-checked the locks on the warehouse doors. I flipped on the office radio to listen to the weather forecast one last time, and looked at my watch. Where the hell was the damned journalist Joe had promised me?

I listened for a few minutes to catch the high temp and the even more dire-sounding storm predictions. We needed to get moving soon. I gathered up the last of my things and locked the office behind me. The hell with it, I thought irritably. If the guy shows up, he can try to catch up, or go back home. But we weren’t waiting any longer. It was time to move out.

I grabbed the two-way radio off the side of my belt and gave Jackie the go ahead. Once the other vehicles had lined up to form our little caravan, I headed for my truck. Snapping my radio back onto my belt, I reached for the door handle and yanked the heavy door open…

“Keys?”

Joe was in the driver’s seat with his hand extended and open. He wiggled his fingers impatiently as I stood stock still, staring. And angry.

“Just what in hell’s name do you think you’re doing?” I shot out.

“Trying to catch up with the others… before they’re completely out of sight,” he answered casually. “Sorry I was late… but we’re still getting out before five.” He wiggled his fingers again, and I saw his eyes glitter. He was enjoying this. I wasn’t.

“You’re the photojournalist,” I said, catching sight of his gear. “You intended to come all along… and didn’t tell me…”

He bent down, bringing his face within inches of mine. I caught my breath… and then felt him gently tug the leather strap with the truck key out of my back pocket.

“Would you have agreed to it?” he asked, as he turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life.

“Hell no, I wouldn’t have! And get out of the driver’s seat. This is my goddamned truck and my responsibility.”

He grinned in a way that made me clench my teeth, but he slid over to the passenger’s side. Then he patted the spot where he’d been.

“Lead-foot it, if you intend to catch up with the pack,” he said, reaching for my thermos and pouring coffee into its lid. “Burnin’ daylight, baby.”

“I’m not your baby,” I ground out, shifting the gears awkwardly. “And I don’t appreciate you treating me like a damned child.”

He sipped his coffee. “I wasn’t aware that I was.”

I hit the gas hard, and the engine roared resentfully. “You’re here to keep an eye on me. Just like always, just like when I was little. You still think it’s your job to pick up where my dad failed.” I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the road. “I stopped being that little girl who begged you for protection a long time ago, Joe. I’m tired of having to fight for the right to grow up.”

We were both quiet as the miles passed. Eventually we caught up to the others, and I eased back on the pedal.

“I didn’t come because you needed me to, Maggie,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “I came along because I needed to.”

“Packing up the trucks yesterday, seeing how hard you’ve worked to make your dream a reality…” He shook his head as he watched the road. “You gave me a taste of what I’ve been missing, Maggie. I’ve made the Star more successful than ever, but something’s always been missing. Life isn’t just about success… it’s about aspirations and purpose and the struggle along the way. I used to know all that, when I first started out with a camera and vision. You told me I didn’t take risks anymore… and you were right.”

He handed me the coffee, a peace offering of sorts. I took it and smiled, unable not to. His face was bright, his eyes shining with excitement. I was still a little pissed, but he looked so like the boy he’d been at eighteen…

I lifted the cup and gave him a gentle, understanding nod and drank.