by Storm Riders
Short denim skirt, black T-shirt, black cowboy boots, and then she pulled her dark brown hair into a ponytail. She studied her reflection. Her eyes were her best feature.
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She didn’t require much make-up because of her tanned skin from spending a lot of time outside studying weather patterns. Years of helping out on the farm had given her an athletic body. She ran two miles in the morning and three times a week worked out at the school gym. She grabbed her purse and then bolted out of the door.
When she arrived at Spunky’s, she noticed Trina was already inside. This is a first.
Normally she’s always late. Great. Now I’m never going to hear the end of it. She dug into her purse and splashed on some perfume and put on a little lipstick and eye shadow before getting out of the Jeep. She walked in amazed they had actually carded her. The band was taking a break so the cacophony of voices was the only sound. She scanned the crowd and saw Trina by the bar flirting with a couple of guys. She rolled her eyes. Her friend was always flirting. Her big brown doe eyes and round face pulled men right to her. George, on the other hand, repelled any potential suitor that hung around her for more than a few months. She figured it was her electric personality that ran them off and that she was only good for attracting storms.
Her best friend smiled and waved her over to the bar. When she got close enough, Trina wrapped her arms around her in a bear hug. George had to pry herself away to catch her breath. “Where the hell have you been?” She hung her head. “I lost track of time at the office. Sorry.”
“You and your weather experiments and balloons. Did you run into a twister today? I heard one touched down fifty miles from here,” Trina teased.
Her friend had no interest in her storm chasing and wished that she wouldn’t do it at all because she didn’t want her to get hurt. “Yeah, we got some readings. That was what I was doing before I lost track of time. How was your day?” She shrugged. “Sucked until I met these two here.” Trina nodded to her left. “This is Cliff.” She gestured to her right. “This is Daniel.” Cliff had short black hair, was stocky, with a pockmarked face, and was dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt. He smelled of horses. She noticed Cliff’s gaze was fixated on Trina’s low cut pink top. Both of them were probably hands on a local ranch or a farm.
Daniel was taller than Cliff. Wiry, but his tight shirt hinted at muscles underneath. He 22
had a faraway look to his eyes. She wasn’t sure of the color of his hair because it was under his hat, but it was short. He gave her a hesitant smile and tipped his hat.
“Hey guys. Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Cliff answered.
Daniel remained silent.
“So what do you guys do?” George asked. Trina handed her one of the beers she had on the counter. She took it, but wasn’t in the mood to drink. Her mind was clouded enough from the events of the day. She thought coming here would get her mind off her brush with death and the unexplained cowboy, but it hadn’t.
“We go to OU,” Daniel answered softly.
“Really? I’m one of the professors there. What are you studying?”
“Religious Studies,” he replied.
“Nice. Good luck with it.” George saw the band reassembling on the stage. She really wasn’t into Daniel knowing he was at least ten years younger than her. She didn’t go for younger guys, at least not a decade younger, and it would be awkward if she ran into him on campus. Plus she could be fired for dating a student. She wasn’t about to let that happen. Trina really knows how to pick ’em. The band started playing a song. The lead singer’s voice had a sultry deep tone that she enjoyed. It was a cover of a song that she knew. Her thoughts traveled back to Jeremy in the van that morning. She knew it was real. It hadn’t been her imagination. The guy probably went back into the cornstalks and that was it.
“George, did you hear what I said?”
She blinked and focused back on Trina. “Nope. Sorry. What was that?” The boys had headed toward the dance floor waiting for them.
“They want to dance. Come on.” Her friend tugged her hand.
Her feet remained planted. “I’m not really feelin’ it. Why don’t you go and dance with them? Honestly, they’re a little young for my taste.” Trina leaned in and whispered. “They might be young, sweetie, but that makes them all the more delicious. I can’t wait to be a sandwich in between those two. You sure you don’t want a crack at them?”
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She smiled. “No. You go ahead. I’m not in the mood for dancing.” Her friend narrowed her eyes. “You sure you’re okay?” George saw the other men’s eyes wandering. “Yeah. Fine. Go ahead and have fun.” Trina winked and then headed toward the boys. George set her beer down on the bar and watched the people strolling in. The crowd was a variety from college aged kids to middle aged guys. Some bikers and a few others that looked like they had never been in a country western bar before wearing chinos and button down polos. She shivered with the breeze which blew in from the open door.
“What will it be?”
George turned and faced the bartender. “Ahh. Tonic water please.”
“No gin added to that?”
“No, not tonight. I’m driving.” She took the tonic water he poured. A tingle ran up her back. The same thing she encountered when a storm was forming. Nothing was predicted. The feeling got stronger until the hair raised on the back on her neck.
“Excuse me.”
The pit of her stomach dropped. Her glass barely touched her lips when she heard the husky voice. Everything in her froze. She turned around slowly to see who was behind her. Her gazed stared at the black, but well-worn cowboy boots that somehow seemed familiar. Dark blue jeans encased muscled calves and thighs. His pants weren’t too tight and just hinted at the curves and bulges they concealed. A stretched black shirt hugged a broad chest which only enhanced the flatness of his stomach. Sandy brown hair brushed the top of his shoulders. Full lips that might turn up into a sneer in a heartbeat were smiling at her. Dark blue eyes gazed at her holding more wisdom than they should have.
“Can I help you with something?”
He gave her a crooked smile. “I was wondering if you might want to dance.” She glanced at him and tried not to melt right there on the barstool. The band was starting a slow song. Couples were getting snuggly on the floor. A pang of longing 24
went through her. He seemed handsome enough. He waited patiently. She sipped her drink one more time and placed it on the bar. “That’d be nice.” He offered her his hand. She took it. Once she did, a bolt of electricity zapped her and made her stagger. He caught her and held her close. “Are you okay?” She reached the top of his chin and tilted her head back so she could gaze into his eyes. For a moment, she thought she saw a tornado reflected in them. Shaking her head, she dismissed the vision. G et a hold of yourself. “Yeah. Tripped. That’s all.” He led her onto the dance floor and rested his palm against the small of her back.
The heat of his hand burned through her thin shirt, but the overwhelming sense that a storm was near made her head spin. Her stomach knotted the way it got before a boomer rolled in. Her muscles were tense and she didn’t know why. There was a static charge in the air. She rested her hands on his shoulders and moved in time to the music.
Over her partner’s shoulder, she saw Trina sandwiched between the two college boys.
Her friend gave her a thumbs up.
“What’s your name?” her mystery man asked. His hot breath tickled her ear and made her shiver inside.
“Georgiana. Everyone calls me George. You?”
“Wyatt.”
She nodded and settled against his shoulder inhaling his musky scent. She tried to ignore the static charge in the air and relax into the dance. For whatever reason, she was comfortable with him. Not many men made her feel that way. If they did, then the relationship lasted a few months before they left. He pressed her a little closer against him until her br
easts brushed his shirt, but he made no further move. His hand remained on her back and didn’t try to slip down and cop a feel. His other hand rested on her hip. She appreciated he was being a gentleman. Then the song ended.
“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked.
“I’m good thanks. I had quite a day and I’m not sure alcohol needs to be involved in it. What about you?”
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He chuckled. “I thought men bought drinks for ladies and not the other way around.”
“Ha. I’m no lady.”
Wyatt laughed. “You sure look like one to me.” His lips were only inches from hers.
The pull between them was dizzying. She was already tipsy even though she was stone cold sober. Gathering her self-control, she placed a hand on his chest.
“What would you do if I wasn’t?”
His gaze darkened. “You really don’t want to know. If you’re playing around with me, I’ll—”
George felt him stiffen up. Crap. “I’m just kidding. Sorry. I’ve had a-ahh…well a fucked up day. Thank you for the dance.” She began to walk away, but he caught her arm and spun her back around.
“I know you were. I was just joshing. I’m sorry you had such a crazy day. We should compare stories. Maybe you can come back to my place and tell me all about it.” She raised her eyebrows. “You’re awfully full of yourself, aren’t you? Do you honestly believe I’ll go home with you just after one dance and the offer to buy me a drink?”
Wyatt captured her lips in a kiss that caught her off guard. She stiffened before responding. The moment his lips touched hers, she heard thunder rattle everything around her. Static electricity exploded through her. Her head reeled. Before the storm around her could ease, he pulled away. She stood there, lips pursed, frozen, taking a moment before she realized it was over. When she opened her eyes, he gave her his smug smile.
“Wow. I’ll take that as a yes.”
He stepped closer and reached behind her settling his hand on her waist, but his fingers pressed against the mounds of her derriere. “Only if you really want to. I can sense you do. What we have between us is stimulating. A little tumble in the hay won’t hurt either one of us.”
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She bit her lip. He’s so fucking fine. I can’t say yes. I normally don’t do stuff like this, but like he said, one night wouldn’t hurt. I don’t think he’s an axe murder and I really need to get today out of my mind. “Do you always use such cheesy lines?”
“Only on the beautiful ones.”
He’s laying it on thick. Trina was making out with Cliff in the corner. She won’t even notice I’m gone. She’s too wrapped up in the college boy sandwich to care. “Why not! I could use a good tumble. I’ll follow you.” She brushed past him and waited for him to catch up.
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Chapter Five
Landon opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. He’d been watching some old movies for the past few hours enjoying the silence in the house.
When he closed the fridge, he saw Raul, his commander leaning against the counter with his arms folded. He took a swig as he watched the man before him. Raul was nearly seven feet tall. His long dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He appeared to be Native American with dark skin and penetrating eyes, but in reality, the man was only half human. The other half was angel. He was a Nephilim, one of the original Riders who had survived. Landon knew of a handful of others, but most of them had been killed by angels ages ago because they took the power they were given and went insane thinking they were gods. Raul was the one who had recruited him to be a Rider in the first place. He doled out their assignments, but most of the time the information was basically downloaded into their thoughts and they were off. Storm riding wasn’t something which had an exact schedule. A storm could pop up at any time. When a tornado was involved, they were summoned.
“What are you doing here?”
“It’s nice to see you too. Can’t I come and check in on my Riders?” Raul’s deep voice echoed like distant thunder.
“You never make social calls.” Landon pulled out a chair and straddled it.
“I’m here about Wyatt.”
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His partner. Always pushing the boundaries and just narrowly avoiding trouble. I told him to be careful. “What about him?”
“He’s getting sloppy. He almost lost control of a twister today because he was showing off. I think you’re aware of this.”
“I was taking care of my end of the storm, racing around it to get the rotation just right. Wyatt isn’t green. He knows what he’s doing. His showing off is nothing new. We both know that.”
Raul closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Landon sensed the change in the air.
He could see the static charge around his commander. It pulsated like controlled lightning while he kept a grip on his anger. Landon had never seen him this pissed before. When he opened his eyes, after he’d taken another breath, the air calmed a bit.
“I can only sweep his transgressions under so many rugs. You need to convince him to curb his grandstanding tendencies. I know he showed himself and that he turned the storm away from them.”
Landon gripped the edge of the chair. He slammed his water down on the table so hard it sloshed out onto the table top. “You can cover up for him, but you couldn’t help me out when I was disciplined. Why is that? Playing favorites? That’s bullshit.” Raul’s expression didn’t change. “This isn’t the same thing.” He stood up sending the chair sliding across the wood floor until it hit the wall.
“The hell it isn’t. He shows himself and doesn’t get punished. What the fuck is that about? I stick to protocol in all my years of being a Rider and when I step out of line once you don’t stick up for me.”
“Enough. You scooped up a child who was slated to die. I had to deal with Azrael, the Angel of Death. You don’t fuck with Universal Law. Once in a while if a human sees you it’s tolerated. Fucking around the way Wyatt is will get him castigated or worse.
You over stepped your bounds and her father was taken instead. That wasn’t supposed to happen. I pleaded your case, but it was out of my hands. You’re one of the best Riders I have. Do you think I wanted you reprimanded the way you were?” 29
“I never realized. I’m sorry. I’ll tell Wyatt to cut it out before you have to.” Landon was shocked to learn that he was responsible for changing the natural order of things.
He’d never known that. He thought by saving the girl he was doing the right thing. She had been so helpless and unaware of the storm coming at her, that her innocence had tugged at his heart. He wasn’t about to let her die. Whirlwind’s question came back to him. Would he do it again to save her? Yes. Over the years, she haunted him from time to time. He had often wondered what had become of the girl he’d saved.
Raul clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. We all have to blow off steam and I know you’ve been waiting a long time to say that to me. How is everything else going?”
Landon met his superior’s eyes. “Fine. Couldn’t be better. I’m immortal, have a lot of free time, and a thriving business. Everything is peachy.”
“And yet I sense some unease brewing.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” Raul headed for the door. Landon turned. His boss was no longer there. A gust of wind opened the door and then slammed it shut.
Once he was alone, he relaxed. I have to have a serious talk with Wyatt when he gets back here tonight. He can’t keep being so reckless. It’s almost like he wants to get caught. Oh, God. I hope that’s not the case. Does he want the angels to enclose him in their wings and pierce his flesh with their feathers? He doesn’t know how dangerous they truly are. He shook remembering the lashes he’d received from the wings. Because he was immortal, he was a fast healer and his punishment lasted six months. The pain was intense he had begged to die, but they hadn’t let him.
&nb
sp; He sensed Whirlwind was around. Something nudged his hand and he knew it was her. She was always close by if he needed her. “Tell Tempest about Raul showing up here and what he said. Warn him not to go along with any more of Wyatt’s stunts. If not both of them could be in trouble.”
She didn’t respond, but she heard him. Landon rubbed the back of his neck, cleaned up the spilled water, and then headed into his room. His rooms were the largest in the house. The master bathroom was big enough to hold three people with multiple 30
jets of water at different levels. A long sandstone bench ran across one wall of the shower. He flipped on the light and stripped off his clothes. His salt and pepper hair made him appear older than the thirty-five years he was frozen at. Years of working on his farm had sculpted his body into a muscled machine. He thought back to the years before he became a Rider. He’d been a real cowboy exploring the old west and causing trouble with the best of them. Jesse James, Wyatt Earp, and Buffalo Bill. He’d met Jesse when he lived in Missouri. He’d known the family when Jesse was young and Missouri was embroiled in the civil war. He’d met Wyatt at the poker tables in California in the early 1860’s. He’d known Buffalo Bill during the years he worked for Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. The past was alive in his bedroom with the memorabilia from his earlier days. Sometimes he wished he could go back. He’d had a lot of fun in the old days when the country was wild and still forming. Through it all, he’d never found the woman he’d want to share his life with. After so long, he had almost given up on finding love and decided that he would live a solitary existence spending an occasional night with a woman.
Shaking his head, he turned the water on and stepped under the hot streams hoping to forget about his fellow Rider and the little girl he had once saved.