Page 25 of Desperate Creed

This time when he looked up he noticed that she had a takeout container in one hand and a coffee mug in the other. She gestured for him to clear a spot so she could set them down.

“You’re bringing me food?”

“You haven’t eaten since you got here. Paul ordered sandwiches. I grabbed a ham and cheese for you.”

“Thanks.”

Instead of making a spot for her to set the container down, Willis took it and the mug then did a half-circle, suddenly overwhelmed with the mess that surrounded him. A mess that usually didn’t bother him. Finally, he decided a pile on the credenza behind him looked sturdy enough for the food container. He sat back down and sipped the coffee. It was still hot with just the right amount of cream, no sugar. Mia always remembered exactly how he liked it.

“We heard from Gary.”

“And?” His eyebrow lifted at the same time that his stomach clenched and prepared him for the worst.

“His crew’s okay. A few scrapes and cuts. They’re still a bit shaken up.”

“How close were they?”

“Too close. He said it whipped their vehicle around. Broke every window.”

Willis took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He was exhausted, but he immediately felt a tension in his shoulders break loose. When the damage reports started coming in, he realized where the tornado had hit. No matter how many precautions a storm chaser took, there was always a risk.

He glanced at the monitor on his desk as the screen refreshed. The new reports were already coming in from the National Weather Service.

“How do you want to handle the schedule?” Mia asked.

The first outbreak of the season. Everyone would be on-call, but of course, his entire crew would want to be in on it. They were all weather geeks. Even if they weren’t in the studio they’d be on their phones and iPads checking the radar, watching the sky.

“Why don’t you go home and get some rest,” he told her. “I’m doing the radio interviews this afternoon. I just as well stay.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later.”

She turned to leave, and Willis was relieved that she hadn’t seen through his excuse. He could easily do the radio interviews from home. He’d done that many times before. When Mia stopped in the doorway, he felt his heart skip a beat.

He was practically holding his breath when she glanced over her shoulder and pointed her chin at his credenza.

“Don’t forget to eat.”

“Oh yeah. Thanks again.”

His desk phone started ringing. She gave him one last wave and was gone.

“Willis Dean,” he answered.

“Dad, I tried to call you, but you must still have your cell phone off.”

“Robbie, are you okay?” He grabbed at the jacket he’d left draped over his chair. He dug the cell phone out of his pocket.

“What’s going on? Mom said you guys are getting a divorce.”

Willis slouched back in his chair and slid the phone across his desk. That was just like Beth. She kept everything secret, but when she made the decision to tell, she told everyone.

He’d never lied to his boys, and he wouldn’t start now.

“I guess we are.”

“So it was a surprise to you, too?”

Willis couldn’t help but smile. It appeared his oldest knew his parents well.