Page 48 of Anchored to the Storm

She exhaled with a little smile as if I couldn’t have answered better. “I have to find Johnny.”

Yes! Me too!

Sarah added, “I don’t know why, but I’m sure we have to stop them from killing the pastor.”

Agreed. I’m doing it.

She said, “I think Kristen may be the key.”

Smart. “Let’s go to her. Too many ears here.”

She gawked, happily. “That’s why I’m here. I can’t drive a stick.”

Without another word, we rushed down the stairs.

Racing through the kitchen, I said, “Harmony, Sarah forgot something at school. I’m going to run her over there real quick.”

My sneakers squeaked on the tile as I came to a halt to snatch a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie from the cooling rack. Harmony smiled, forever pleased that her baked goods never went to waste.

I winked at Sarah, then we both headed to the front door.

“Wait.”

We both froze, thinking the jig was up.

“But it’s Saturday.”

Shit!

“Band practice,” Sarah chimed in while stealing my cookie. “In the parking lot, so the building I need is unlocked.”

“Of course.” Harmony tossed me another cookie, then waved a wooden spoon in the air. “Pot roast for dinner. Don’t be late!”

I saluted her with a huge smile. We are going to find Johnny.

West Five

Sarah

He is life. . . for us. . .

Heading down the road in Indestructible Tonka, with Finn running the stick shift through the gears, it was quiet as we finished our cookies and I searched my cell for Kristen’s number. I’d been in a vehicle with Finn many times over the years. He drove me to school when I was younger and picked me up if I needed a ride. However, this time, it felt different. We had recently been to literal hell together. And now, we were teaming up to prevent a horrible mistake.

“Sarah, you okay?” is how Kristen answered her cell phone.

I had her on speaker. “I’d be better if I could talk with you. Have time today? Like… now?”

“Ummm… Yes, of course. Umm… meet me at the park by your house in twenty?”

“Perfect.”

I slid my cell in my purse. “Thank you for helping me,” I told Finn.

“Thank you for coming to me with this.” He eyed me, honesty present. “Means a lot.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I’d brought Finn some joy, something it seemed only Johnny could do.

“So,” Finn said, “tell me about the nibble.”