Chapter Text
One summer later
The tornado had formed out of nowhere. One minute the radar was clear. The next, an angry red splotch covered the town not fifteen miles from where the Wranglers had set up camp.
There’d been no time to gather supplies or chase after it. Now half of the town was gone, and Kate couldn’t help but feel guilty. She knew they couldn’t disrupt every tornado. It just wasn’t possible yet. But every town that got hit felt like a punch to the gut.
She stooped down to pick up a picture frame hidden under the rubble at her feet. When she flipped it over, she was surprised to see the glass intact, the photograph of the smiling family untouched by the destruction.
She held out the frame to the middle-aged woman standing a few feet away in what was left of her home. “Here you go.” Kate and Javi had spent the last half hour helping her search for any important belongings amongst the debris.
The woman smiled as she grasped the frame. “Thank you. This is my favorite photo of us.” As she turned back to the ruins, Kate could see the pain in her eyes. She’d give anything to be able to prevent it.
“Hey!” Kate whirled at the sound of Tyler’s raised voice just in time to see him stalking across the street from where he’d been helping a man search for his cat. His boots carried him swiftly across the pavement toward a group of people gathered in front of a partially collapsed building.
She didn’t understand what had put such a thunderous look on his face until someone moved to the side to reveal none other than Scott and Marshall Riggs.
They looked the same as they had a year ago—Scott with his dark sunglasses and stuffy uniform, Marshall in his over-the-top cowboy hat and cheap suit. She had no doubt that they were spinning their usual lies.
Kate was already moving, and reached back to pull Javi along with her. “Whoa, Kate,” he to protest even as he stumbled after her. “I’m still looking for the–”
“Javi, look.” He followed her line of sight and made a low sound of disgust when he saw the two men talking to yet another shell-shocked family. She dropped her hold on his arm when he fell into step beside her.
“What the hell do you two think you’re doing?” She heard Tyler ask as he placed himself between Riggs and the family.
“Our job,” Scott replied cooly. “Which we wouldn’t have to if you did your own job correctly.” Even behind his sunglasses, Kate could feel his gaze swing to her. “Right?”
Marshall adjusted his belt buckle as he chuckled lightheartedly, “You’ll have to excuse this young man–”
Tyler turned to face the family then, cutting off whatever Marshall was about to say. “Sir, ma’am, I’m real sorry to interrupt, but you don’t want to get into business with this man. I guarantee whatever he’s offering you is not a fair price and not nearly half of what you deserve.”
Marshall’s eye twitched as he tried to regain control of the situation again. “Folks, I have no idea what he’s talking about.”
“But we do,” Javi said as he and Kate sidled up next to Tyler.
Kate took a step toward the parents who looked expectantly between the three of them. “We used to work with these men, and their entire business revolves around profiting off families who have recently been through tragedy. If you do want to sell, we can help you find a reputable company willing to pay fair price for your land.”
“But you don’t have to make any decisions right now,” Tyler added. “We’re just here to lend a hand.”
The parents looked to each other and seemed to carry on an entire conversation with their eyes. The woman gave an almost imperceptible nod before they turned back to them.
“Thank you, Mr. Owens. Ms. Carter.” The man held his hand out for Tyler to shake as the woman clasped one of Kate’s in both of hers.
Scott sputtered behind them. “You know each other?”
The man squared his shoulders as he addressed Scott. “We’ve been watching Mr. Owens’ channel for years. Nearly everyone we know does. We trust his opinion.”
Scott glared at Tyler as Marshall readjusted the lapels of his suit. “Well,” he scoffed. “You all know where to find us if you change your minds.” The older man tipped a hat to the family before he grabbed Scott’s elbow to pull him away. Kate watched as they whispered heatedly to each other and felt a small sense of satisfaction at their irritation.
Javi guided the family back to their home and began to take down a list of items to look for, leaving Tyler and Kate alone on the street. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest, jaw still clenched as he stared at Scott and Marshall’s retreating forms.
Kate stepped closer and put a hand on his arm. “Are you okay?”
Tyler’s gaze softened when he finally pulled his attention to her. One of his hands drifted down to settle at her waist, toying absently with one of her belt loops as he so often did. “Yeah. Seeing them just grinds my gears.”
She knew the feeling. “We’ve got to stop them.”
“But how?” He swiped a hand across his jaw. “I’m sure Marshall Riggs has the best lawyers money can buy. If we go to the press, he’ll nail us for slander. It’s his word against ours.”
He was right. But was it possible to let people know this was happening without explicitly mentioning Riggs’ name?
An idea began to form. We’ve been watching Mr. Owens’ channel for years. Nearly everyone we know does.
It was easy for Kate to forget what a powerful tool social media could be. Tyler and his crew had built a channel based around providing entertainment, sure, but also knowledge. Millions of people across the Midwest looked to them to better understand Mother Nature’s mysteries.
We trust his opinion.
Kate gripped Tyler’s arm tighter, her mind already racing, planning. “Tyler. I think I know of way we can take them down.”
He raised a brow at her and a familiar, mischievous glint illuminated his eyes. “What did you have in mind, city girl?”