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I m on my way over, Tony said. Unless you don t
want me around.
Oh, no, she said quickly. I d like you to be here.
We ll pop some popcorn and watch an old movie. She
tried to make it sound like fun.
Like the old days.
Yeah, she agreed. She knew that he was just as
worried as she was. Sean probably was, as well. But
none of them wanted to admit it.
GINGER CHAMBERS 125
BY THE TIME Sean arrived after his shift duty nearing
1:30 a.m Steffie and Tony had given up all pretense.
What can we do? Tony asked before his brother
was even through the door. I keep calling their cells,
and nothing!
Steffie was right behind him, also tense.
Only a year apart in age, Sean and Tony could have
been carved from the same block of stone. Both took
after the Davis side of the family with strong features,
square jaws, dark hair and eyes. They might have been
mistaken as identical twins at first glance. A longer ex-
amination would reveal that Sean was the more serious
of the two, Tony the more open and outgoing. Tony was
also a couple of inches taller than his older brother.
She, Steffie, was a combination of Davis and Stewart.
Taller than her mother by several inches, she neverthe-
less had the same shape face, some similar features and
color of hair. But her eyes were dark, like her father s.
That doesn t necessarily mean anything, Sean
said, following them into the living room, where they
all took seats. I called the Highway Patrol before
leaving the station, and a couple of the sheriff s depart-
ments in the area. They said travelers are staying
wherever they can up and down the highway, waiting
for the storm to move on or play itself out. They had to
evacuate a lot of people from their cars yesterday. The
Highway Patrol has the names of their evacuees in their
computer system, but Mom and Dad aren t listed.
Again, that s not necessarily bad news. Caltrans he
named the California highway works department
helped in the evacuation, and other drivers just got off
the road on their own and found shelter anywhere they
could. Everything s really bad up there. Some of the
126 ALL THAT LOVE IS
Highway Patrol officers and sheriff s deputies are
snowed in and can t get out themselves. Caltrans is
doing all they can, but& It s just going to take time to
sort it all out.
So you don t think we should worry yet, Steffie
surmised.
Sean smiled at her. Not yet. It s way too early.
I don t like that they haven t called, Tony said, his
frown set in place.
They probably can t. If they could, they would.
Tony rubbed his hand over his face, an action that
reminded Steffie of their father.
She met Sean s steady eyes. He exuded self-control
and confidence, his training as a police officer only
heightening his natural qualities.
So we wait, she said. And hopefully, we ll hear
from them by morning.
You know Mom will call just as soon as she can.
She won t be able to stop herself.
Even Tony smiled at that. Their mother was notori-
ously protective. Maybe a little too protective. But they
loved her in spite of it.
The last weather report said they expected this
snow to be the last of the storm. Steffie reached for
Tony s hand. He instantly squeezed back reassuringly.
Sean stood up, moving his head from side to side as
if to loosen tight muscles in his neck. I d better get
home. I told Lynn I wouldn t be long.
You sound tired, Tony said.
Hard shift. Some sleep will fix it. You, ah, heading
home, Tony?
I m going to stay here. Keep Steffie company, if she
wants some.
GINGER CHAMBERS 127
Definitely, she said.
The brothers clasped hands, hugged, then patted
each other on the shoulder, and then Sean gave Steffie
a quick kiss on the cheek before letting himself out the
door.
We re probably being silly, Steffie said, folding her
arm through Tony s and leaning against him.
Yeah, he agreed.
You remember that Mom always keeps a spare
toothbrush in the bathroom.
Yep.
They started for the stairs. Should we call Gram and
Gramps to let them know what Sean said? she asked.
It s way too late. Probably be best to call them in
the morning.
Maybe by then Mom will have found a phone that
works.
Fingers crossed, he said, crossing his own fingers
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