#littlelibs

[ejsandfarkleslovebot]

CHAPTER THREE, back at it like old times

As she sat in the back seat of Tyler's geared up red truck, she looked over at her brother and she knew they both were thinking the same thing. Was this going to be worth it? Loud country music played from the speakers in the truck, the engine roaring loudly as Tyler drove up to a nearby diner where fellow storm chasers were at. The horns Tyler did and the loud music were a bit obnoxious in Libby's opinion, but when he glanced back at her and her brother with a grin, she couldn't help but match his excitement. And when he glanced at her with a wink, her heart skipped a beat. Though she didn't entirely know why she and her brother were in the backseat with some random British man. She was sure they would find out soon enough.

Boone, who sat in the passenger seat, turns in his seat to grin at Tyler and the Bradley siblings on the way there. "Finally back at it like old times! Shouldn't have been that long to get the gang back together in the first place, but at least we're all here."

"Completely agree with you there, Boone. Feels great, right?" Tyler's voice was full of excitement and he looked back at Libby and Q, grinning.

"Honestly, yeah, it does." Q admits, grinning back at him. "Besides your wild driving." He teased, causing Tyler to scoff.

"My driving isn't that bad." He shot back.

"We beg to differ!" Libby chimed in, chuckling along with Q and Boone.

Tyler rolls his eyes but his smile never faltered. In fact, it widens as he continues driving to the diner. Libby watched as her brother and his best friend continued to banter, their familiarity bringing a sense of comfort and joy to her. She had missed this. Missed them. Their energy was infectious, and she couldn't help but smile.

She turned to look out the window curiously, noticing other storm chaser groups were there and wasn't surprised some recognized Tyler and his team. "Aye, Storm Par!" Boone, who sat in the passenger seat, leans out the window with his video camera, shouts to a group who looked annoyed and upset with them. "We're live on YouTube. Say something!"

Libby leaned back in her seat, noticing a storm chaser group Boone was talking to. She blocked out the rest of the conversation while she recognized each of them, but one blonde girl she noticed her brother staring at. She raises her eyebrow at that, her lips quirking into a small smile. Her brother was never one to really date anyone, he had always been so busy with work and other things. Maybe this girl will be the one to change that. It seemed like he was already intrigued with her. She leaned over the seat, nudging his shoulder and smirking at him, making him glare at her and tell her to shut up. She just grinned, shaking her head at him and looking back at Boone when she heard him mockingly say, "Science is fun!" followed by a whoop as Tyler kept driving to park the car with the team following.

Libby was taken aback by the small crowd that had already formed by the red truck as soon as it stopped. She knew Tyler and his team were quite popular now, but she didn't realize how popular they actually were. It was kind of intimidating, if she was being honest. When she and her brother were on the team, they weren't nearly this popular. They were pretty popular, don't get her wrong, but not like this. She watched as Tyler climbed out of his truck, standing on the edge of it, holding onto the top of the door and grinning at the crowd. He wore his signature look, sunglasses and a cowboy hat with a smug smile.

"Hey, man, how ya feeling?" Boone questioned, aiming the camera at him.

"Feelin' pretty good, Boone." Tyler replies, raising his voice so it's heard over the loudness of the crowd that was getting bigger once people knew who was there. "And if you feel it-"

"Chase it!" The crowd responded.

Libby bit back a smile, rolling her eyes fondly. She remembered the day she told him that and how he asked her if he could use it for his brand. Of course, she said yes. After teasing him and telling him it was cheesy. They were just starting out as storm chasers back then and she wasn't expecting them to blow up in popularity the way they did. She didn't mind though, they were doing what they loved and helping people. And that's all that mattered.

As if he felt her gaze on him, Tyler glances back at her. She was leaned out the window, her crossed arms rests on the open window as she smiled at him. His breath hitches and his heart flutters at the sight. He couldn't describe how much he missed her. Of course he missed his best friend too, but he missed Libby in a way he knew he shouldn't. He couldn't. It wasn't right. She was his best friend's little sister. Nothing more. Even if the idea of her being his something more did cross his mind on occasion. He shook his head and grinned at her, tipping his hat to her before looking at the crowd with a grin. He missed Libby's flushed face and the smile that she tried to hide by biting her lip.

Libby decided to get out of the car when she noticed her brother getting out and she waited until the British man got out before she closed the door. She chuckled when she saw he tried to avoid the big water puddle outside the door as he walked around the truck. Something told her he wasn't used to any of this.

She introduced herself and her brother to him, finding out his name was Ben and he was a reporter and writing about American storm chasing. He was currently writing about Tyler. He seemed like a nice guy, a little shy and nervous but friendly. She jumped when she suddenly felt an arm wrap around her shoulders, but relaxed at seeing Q by her side.

"You sure about this, Little Libs?" He murmured lowly so only she could hear.

"Can't go back now." She replies, nudging him with a grin. Her face softens after seeing his expression and she wraps her arms around him. "Stop thinking so much. I know you're probably worried about the storm shelter running without us but the twins have it handled. They've been helping us for a couple of years now and even with their crazy ideas, they're actually good. So, don't worry, big brother. Everything will be fine." She reassures him. "A week off will be good for us. Plus, don't you miss this? Being with our old team. The fans." She added teasingly, noticing some group of girls were giggling and whispering to each other after they spotted Q. She laughed when he groaned and covered his face with his free hand before leaning his head on her shoulder. She grinned at spotting blush creeping up on his cheeks.

"Okay, yes, I miss it, but I'm not really interested in dating right now." He muttered, lifting his head off her shoulder. Almost instinctively though, his gaze landed on the blonde girl from before, noticing she was watching him. Well, not really him, but their group. That was until her gaze landed on him and he felt like he couldn't breathe. While she looked annoyed and confused at first, she now suddenly seemed to be interested in him, tilting her head to the side as her lips curved up slightly. His heart skipped a beat. What was that?

"Hmm, sure." Libby replies, not convinced by what he said. Libby follows his line of sight and noticed he was staring at the girl. "Is that the one you were checking out earlier?" She asked teasingly, causing him to stutter and look at her, his cheeks turning red.

"W-What? N-No! No, I-I wasn't checking her out. I-I mean, I wasn't, uh, I-I wasn't-that wasn't, no. Shut up. I'm gonna go help out Dani with giving stuff out." Q grumbled, playfully shoving her as he turned to the RV that Dani had opened. The girl with the shortcut hair had opened the door, holding up some shirts with Tyler's face on it. Libby still couldn't believe people wanted shirts like that and she found it amusing. Definitely arrogant, but amusing.

"Alright, everyone, come get your merch!" Q yelled out to the crowd, trying to distract himself from the fact that his little sister knew he was attracted to the blonde woman. He tried to distract himself, but his gaze kept finding itself back to the girl, their eyes meeting every once in awhile. It was hard to focus. He didn't know why he was so drawn to her. Maybe it was because he hasn't had a chance to meet someone he was actually interested in and it's been awhile since he dated. That's all it was, right? His attention was brought to some members in the crowd shouting his name excitedly and some asking to get his picture. He politely agreed, not wanting to upset a fan. It was a bit overwhelming getting thrown back into this life.

He and Tyler both used to be the faces of this group until he decided to focus more on his family business. He did miss Tyler and the team, of course the fans, and especially chasing storms and tornados. However, his main focus was his family and working at the storm shelter. But maybe it wouldn't hurt to just have fun for a week and forget about that for a bit. He deserved to have some fun and focus on himself too.

Libby stood off to the side as she watched Tyler autograph things for people in the crowd. She chuckled and shook her head when she saw Boone was recording him and the crowd. She was surprised though when she heard someone calling out her name. Her eyebrows raised and her eyes widened when she realized some fans were asking her for her autograph. "Oh, wow. Uh, hi." She replies shyly, rubbing the back of her neck as she was handed a paper and pen. "Surprised you guys remembered me."

"Of course! We love you, Libby!" A young girl beams, smiling brightly at her. "We were so sad when you and your brother left, but now you're back! We're so happy."

"Yeah, you and your brother are amazing. We can't wait to see you and Q chasing storms together again." Another girl says, grinning at her. "Thank you so much. I know Tyler is amazing, but I think you're pretty great."

Libby couldn't stop the blush that crept up on her cheeks and her lips curved up into a small smile. She felt a sense of pride and happiness at the compliments. Having fans was something she would never get used to, but she would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy the attention. "Thank you. I appreciate that." She replies, signing the paper. "Hopefully we'll be able to catch some good ones this week."

She continued to keep conversation with the small group, signing autographs and even taking some selfies. She smiled at them and waved goodbye to them. She was surprised how she easily warmed up to the fans, but she was grateful for their support. They really were some of the best fans.

"Little Libs, don't tell me you're already stealing the spotlight." Tyler joked, causing her to turn around. He was standing behind her, his hands on his hips and an amused look on his face.

Libby laughs and rolls her eyes at him. "As if. You and your ego will always be the center of attention."

Tyler chuckles, shaking his head at her. "Whatever you say."

She just shrugs, smiling at him. She couldn't explain how happy she was to be spending time with him. It's been awhile since they hung out like this and she was really looking forward to it. She hoped everything would go smoothly, especially with the storms they were chasing. But she was sure nothing could go wrong. "Hey, where have you been?" She asked her brother when he walked over to them.

"Talking to Kate." Q admitted with a shrug, acting nonchalant.

"The blonde girl you were checking out before? You got her name?" She teases, wiggling her eyebrows at him. "Find out anything else?"

Q glares at her, his cheeks heating up. "Shut up. And yes, I did. She's from New York. And she knows her stuff about tornados too. Basically said East is the one to go to, but I think we need to go West."

"West?" Tyler raises his eyebrows. "Really? Even despite what City Girl said?"

"Kate." Q corrected, narrowing his eyes.

Tyler just grinned, knowing he got under his skin and that meant he was interested in her. "Right. Kate."

"Yeah, even despite what Kate said. We should get going to the West." Q muttered, rolling his eyes at his best friend before heading over to the truck to get inside.

Libby shares an amused look with Tyler before following her brother. Tyler was right behind her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as he guided her to the truck. He opened the passenger door for her and helped her in before closing the door and hopping into the driver's seat. Once the rest of the gang were back from heading inside the diner, they were off to the West.

And Q was right. West was the better option. It almost seemed like Kate was trying to throw them off, but luckily Q was smart enough not to fall for her tricks. Or was he? Because he seemed like a flustered mess anytime she was around and Libby and Tyler enjoyed teasing him.

"Alright! What's up, chat?" Tyler greets his livestream with his signature charming grin, staring at a go-pro hooked on his windshield. "Welcome back. Thank you for joining us! It's a perfect weather day! We just had tornado genesis. I am looking at a tall one," He admits, pointing at the sky that caused Boone to aim the camera at his movement. "And she is pretty."

Libby chuckles at his over the top enthusiasm mixed with a bit of arrogance. She shook her head and leaned back in her seat as Tyler continued. "Joining us today we have our ususal, my chief-storm-hound, Boone." Tyler puts a hand on Boone's shoulder, playfully shoving him. Boone let out a cheerful whoop while aiming the camera at himself before aiming it back at Tyler. "We got Dexter and Dani in the pyramid behind us. And Lily with her drone. And would you guys believe it if we said we got the whole gang back together? And by that, I mean the whole gang! Joining us for one week only, y'all should know 'em, especially the OGs, is our very own Q and Little Libs."

"It's Libby." Libby argues, reaching over his seat in front of her to flick the back of his head. "I'm not a kid anymore, Ty."

"Ow!" Tyler whines, pouting as he rubbed the back of his head. He glances back at her. "And I'm the childish one." He muttered, earning a glare from her.

Q sighs dramatically, looking at the camera. "See what I have to deal with on my first day back? But really, it's good to be back." He admitted, smiling softly.

Libby nods in agreement, smiling from ear to ear. "Yeah, for sure!" She leans back against the seat, smiling at the camera when Boone pointed it at her. "It's good to be back." Her gaze flickers to Tyler, who was looking at her through the rearview mirror and gave her a fond smile. Butterflies swarmed her stomach and she smiles back at him. "Though I definitely didn't miss his driving." She added with a chuckle.

Tyler rolls his eyes and grins, not bothering to glance back at her. "Ha ha. So funny. But anyway, we also have another special guest here today. Ben, you just came in from London, uh, yesterday, right?" He asked, glancing back at the British man between the Bradley siblings.

Boone lets out a whoop, aiming the camera at Ben, who looked even more nervous at the sight of the camera on him. "Er…Uh, yes. South London." He nervously said. "Uh, just between Streatham and West Norwood."

Libby shares a look with Q at that. He seemed unsure those of what to say, but he did his best to be polite. He was still adjusting to the whole thing, but he seemed like a nice guy.

"Okay…" Tyler drawled out as he continued driving.

"Tyler!" Dani's voice comes through the intercom that was hooked to a radio. "Tornado's on the move."

Libby has to brace for impact, holding onto the seat and the door when Tyler suddenly made a sharp turn, speeding up to around eighty miles per hour. "Oh, yeah! It's on now, Ben!" Tyler exclaims, grinning back at Ben. "You ain't in London anymore!"

Her eyes widen as they drive straight to the tornado and her grip tightens as hail hits the truck and the rain and wind become worse. She forgot what it was like being in the middle of a tornado. She forgot how crazy Tyler and the others could be. She forgot that she liked doing this before. And she had a feeling this week would be filled with many more reminders as to why she loves chasing tornadoes and stopping them.

She blocked out whatever nonsense Tyler and Boone were shouting as Tyler suddenly was doing donuts in the field. She shared a look with her brother, both of them holding on for deer life along with Ben. It's definitely been awhile since they've been doing anything like this. A part of a windmill falling off and landing by them made her gasp, her eyes widening more as Tyler narrowly missed it. Despite the fear she felt, the adrenaline was a rush. And she couldn't believe it that she found herself relaxing and not gripping for deer life the longer they were chasing. She missed this. She really did. And that was the day she knew that this week was going to be filled with memories that would last forever.

Libby didn't miss the fan group that was parked nearby, watching the group head closer to the twins. She looked out the window behind her, her lips curving up a little as she noticed the rest of their team were there cheering for them. She looked over at her brother, noticing he seemed to be enjoying this too. He met her gaze with a smirk.

"Well, this should be fun." He commented, raising his eyebrows. She just rolled her eyes and laughed, looking back out the window with a grin. She was actually glad he convinced her to come along. As crazy as it was, it was a lot of fun. She couldn't deny that. And she was ready for what else was to come.

[themargaritamum-blog]

This Razzle Dazzle Raspberry Infused Tequila margarita was created by Casey @littlelibations using Raspberry Infused Tequila, Cointreau, Lime Juice And Agave. Full recipe details available on his page! Salud! . . . . . . #margarita #mezcal #margaritas #pink #photography #cocktailbar #tequila #cocktailart #drinks #homemade #homebar #mixology #instagood #instadrink #delicious #thirsty #craftcocktails #cocktail #cocktails #thefeedfeed #raspberry #cocktailsofinstagram #foodporn #instacocktail #yummy #cocktailporn #margs #cointreau #slurp #drinkstagram

[goldenagebartending]

Lime cordial recipe! 🍋 . Here in Golden Age, we try our best to expand the knowledge of our followers. . Is not just about pretty drinks and cool shakes, but also about giving you something that you can work with. . Here is this great and useful how to on a lime cordial, brought to you by @littlelibations 📣🍋👌 . . I’m working on some R&D for bottled and keyed cocktails (more on that to come). First thing I’m trying to tackle is being able to have citrus in a drink that could keep for a few months in the fridge. 🤓 Experiment #1 is with a lime cordial. I’ve read that this recipe keeps “indefinitely”. I’m going to explore flavors in a bottled cocktail over time but also get to making some cocktails ASAP (did someone say Gimlet!?). ··· Lime Cordial • 1 cup water • 1/2 cup white sugar • 1/2 tsp citric acid • 1/4 tsp tartaric acid • Zest of 2 limes • 5 oz lime juice • 1/4 oz 151 rum ___________________________________________ Bring water to a boil. Add sugar and acids and dissolve. Add lime juice and zest. Bring to a light boil for about 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat, cover, and let cool to warm. Refrigerate overnight in a sealed jar. The next day, strain with a fine metal strainer. Add 151, bottle, and store in the fridge. ··· 📘: via LiquorAndDrink.com

[littlelibs-blog-blog]

JennybObenny swagger #littlelibs #goodoledays (Taken with Instagram)

[ejsandfarkleslovebot]

CHAPTER TWO, reunion with the tornado wrangler

(NOW)

It was a bright, sunny day. Perfect for being outside and enjoying the weather. There had been a thunderstorm the previous night which is why Libby was currently at one of the Bradley's Public Storm Shelter in town, activity bustling all around her. She was in her late twenties now, but the memory of the tornado and how her brother's words of wisdom helped her still lingered in her mind. They were like a constant reminder for her, always there. And that memory, that day, would never fade. It was a memory she would always treasure. It was a memory that made her who she was today.

Her family, the Bradleys and other emploees, were all around her, helping those in need. After the tornado hit, her parents started the public storm shelter idea. And soon enough after making a deal with the local city council, it was official. Now they had six public storm shelters all around town. Each one was just as big and had the same things in it. All the Bradleys, their employees, and the other volunteers were hard at work. The people around town loved and adored them for what they did which was give everyone a safe place to go during storms. They made sure no one was left behind. And the storm shelters were open and free to anyone and everyone.

Libby loved the feeling of helping others, giving them somewhere safe and secure to go during the storms. She'd seen the aftermath of a tornado and the damage it could do, so helping people feel safe and cared for during such a scary time was important to her. And seeing the people around town, both old and new, being given a place to feel safe and secure made her feel like she was making a difference. Like her family did so many years ago.

It was a rewarding feeling. She'd been working at the public storm shelters for about three years now. Ever since she came finished college and got her meteorology degree. She loved her job. She worked mostly as a volunteer, though her parents did pay her for it, even though she tried telling them not to. She used to work as a storm chaser, specifically tornadoes. She always wanted to learn more about the weather and was fascinated by tornadoes. She studied and did her best to understand and learn all she could about them. So she got a degree in meteorology and became a storm chaser. And can you guess who she ended up working with?

Tyler Owens. Now known as the Tornado Wrangler and was quite popular on YouTube. It was weird not working with him anymore. She and her older brother, Q, who was Tyler's best friend, had been a part of the team before Q was in charge of dealing with a storm shelter their family owned in a small town in Oklahoma. Libby didn't quit at that moment, she stayed working with Tyler and the team for a couple more years before Q had asked Libby to work with him at the storm shelter. Libby loved working with her brother, but she did miss working with Tyler. She still kept in contact with him, Q did as well, of course, they were still best friends. Though it seemed like Tyler was a little different now. Seeming to be more arrogant and cocky. She wondered if all the fame went to his head. And she hoped he was still the same Tyler she grew up with and called her 'Little Libs'.

Okay, while she hated the nickname, she still missed it. Especially when he wasn't around. But, maybe someday, they'd cross paths again. Though, that seemed unlikely. After all, he was a popular YouTuber and had many followers and was very busy. But, still, a girl can dream, right? And she was a dreamer for sure. She loved anything involving fairy tales and fantasy and romance and happily ever afters. She hoped some day she can have her happily ever after. Maybe someday, she'd find the person she was destined to be with. But for now, she was content with helping others and her family. And that was enough for her.

She was busy helping a little boy and his parents making sure they were alright and had didn't need anything else at the moment. A lot of the storm shelters were filled to capacity, but her family did their best to help anyone and everyone. It was important to them that no one was left behind. They had made it a priority to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who came to their shelters, and they did their best to meet the needs of all the people they served. The public storm shelters had become a much-needed resource for the community, and Libby was proud to be a part of something that was making such a difference in people's lives.

Volunteers and employees were helping people get the necessities, handing out water and food and blankets. Libby was amongst the group helping the people, making sure that they had what they needed. She was currently handing out blankets to a small family, a mother and her two children. "Thank you." The mother said gratefully, taking the blankets and giving them to her kids. "Really. For what you and your family do. Your storm shelters. It helps people like us who doesn't have a safe place to go during these storms."

"Of course. We're glad we can help." Libby responds, smiling at the woman and her children. The woman's kids were a little boy and a little girl, the two currently curled up against their mom on the same cot and were sleeping. Libby glanced at the children, her smile softening. "How are the kids doing?"

"They're a little shaken up, but they're okay." The mother replies, wrapping an arm around her kids. "They're tough."

"They're lucky to have a mom like you." Libby says softly. "Keep doing what you're doing, okay? And remember, we're always here to help."

The mother nods, a smile on her face. "I will, thank you."

Libby smiles at her one last time and goes to move on to the next person who needed a blanket. As she helped them out, she heard a commotion near the entrance but she didn't think anything of it. Thinking one of the other helpers would handle it. She didn't look until someone called her name, causing her to turn around and see who it was.

"Well, well, well, look who it is. Little Libs."

Her heart skips a beat, and her eyes widen. She can't believe what she's seeing. She's dreaming, right? She blinks a couple times and even pinched herself, not trusting her eyes. But no, she's not dreaming. Standing in front of her was Tyler. Tyler freaking Owens. She couldn't believe it. She hadn't seen him in a few years. They had kept in contact and occasionally talked, but it was nothing compared to being face to face with him. Plus he was famous now. He had a YouTube channel and he was a storm chaser better known as the Tornado Wrangler. She was surprised he remembered her. She had noticed he seemed to grow more cocky, arrogant and even more charming since the last time she had seen him. But it was him, the same guy who had her heart since she was younger.

"T-Tyler?" Libby asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She takes a shaky breath, trying to compose herself. Her heart is pounding in her chest and she can't seem to get her mouth to form a coherent sentence. Flashbacks of hiding out in a cave to wait a tornado to pass with him came in her mind. Him being her first kiss. Them saving a horse. All the good times she had with him.

Tyler smirked, looking her over. He noticed she changed, she was a woman now. She had grown a lot and matured a lot since the last time he saw her. And she looked good. Better than good. Beautiful and stunning were a couple words coming to mind. She still had long blonde hair, but now she had pink tips mixed with the blonde, which surprised him though still he couldn't help but admire. Her hazel eyes were as vibrant as ever, reflecting a mixture of surprise and warmth. And her lips were still as kissable as they were before. He could still remember how they felt against his. And the way her body felt pressed against his. It made him remember how much he liked her. How much he missed her. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He couldn't think about that now.

"Look at you." He drawls, taking a step towards her. "You're all grown up." His gaze fell to the charm bracelet he had given her years ago, which she still wore, and his eyes softened slightly. Part of him was surprised she kept it and still wore it, but another part of him wasn't. Libby had always been a sentimental person. The charm bracelet was a symbol of their shared past, and seeing it on her wrist now brought a rush of nostalgia and warmth to Tyler's heart. It was like a thread connecting them, a reminder of a time when things were simpler and their connection was pure. It gave him hope that perhaps their bond was not entirely lost.

After all, she was wearing it. Even if it had been years since they last saw each other, some things never changed. Some things could not be forgotten. Some feelings remained buried deep within, waiting for the right time to resurface. And maybe, just maybe, this was that time. After all, fate had brought them back together, and that had to mean something. "You're still wearin' it." He couldn't help but smile at the sight of the charm bracelet on Libby's wrist. His voice was softer now, filled with a mixture of warmth and surprise. "I can't believe you're still wearin' it after all these years."

Libby glances down at the bracelet, her fingers instinctively brushing over the charms. "Of course I am. It's special to me." The charm bracelet was silver, she wore more silver jewelry than gold, something she had told Tyler years ago. It had six charms on it, a camera, a tornado, a horse, a pair of boots, a star, and a heart. Each charm symbolized a memory or moment they shared, and it had always been a cherished reminder of their time together. She hadn't taken it off since the day he gave it to her.

It was like a piece of him was always with her, and she couldn't bear the thought of letting go. She continued to look at Tyler, her heart racing. Seeing him again brought back a flood of memories. It was like no time had passed at all, despite the years and the changes in their lives. "I… I can't believe you're actually here." She couldn't hide the awe in her voice. She had never imagined that Tyler would show up at her family's storm shelter, and she had no idea what to make of his presence. Was it coincidence or fate? She wasn't sure, but she had a feeling that something was shifting between them, something that could change everything.

"Well, believe it, darlin'." Tyler replies, his smirk growing. "You're not dreamin'." He couldn't help but notice the sparkle in her hazel eyes and the way she bit her bottom lip slightly, causing him to grin. She was still just as cute and adorable as he remembered, and it made his heart beat faster. He couldn't help but stare at her, admiring her beauty. After a moment, he cleared his throat, forcing himself to look away. He couldn't let himself get distracted by her beauty. Not now.

"W-What are you doing here?" Libby finally manages to say, her voice shaky. She had no idea what to say. She was still trying to process that he was here. That he was really here, standing in front of her. "Figured you forgot about me." She was trying to ignore the way her heart fluttered at the familiar nickname. Tyler had a range of nicknames for her, mainly using 'Little Libs', 'darlin'', and a few others. They brought back a mix of nostalgia and warmth.

Tyler looks surprised and he shakes his head. "Forget about you? Never." He assures her, his tone gentler while his face softens. "I could never forget about you, Little Libs."

Libby can't stop the smile that spreads across her face. His words mean a lot to her, and she can't help but feel happy. It had been a few years since she had seen him, but he still had the same effect on her. His voice, his touch, his smile, it all made her feel giddy and excited. "So what brings you here?" Libby questions, taking a small step closer to him. "I mean, I know you're a storm chaser." When he sent her a look, she chuckles and rolls her eyes. "Sorry, Tornado Wrangler. You have a whole YouTube channel and fans and everything. I've been watching and keeping up with you. So, what's going on? Why are you suddenly here?"

Tyler looked her over once again, a smirk forming on his face. He didn't realize how much he missed her, and seeing her now made him realize just how much he did miss her. How much he missed the way her eyes would light up when she talked about something she was passionate about. How her cheeks would turn pink whenever he teased her. How she could make him laugh without even trying. How her smile would make his heart skip a beat. How beautiful she was, inside and out. He had fallen for her a long time ago, and now he was realizing that he still had feelings for her. He screwed up when they were younger. He let her go. But now, he was determined to win her back. He wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.

"You come here alone? Or did you bring the whole crew?" Libby added, looking at him curiously.

"Nah, came here by myself. They went ahead and I told 'em I would meet them there. We're heading to a town not far from this one to get ready to get to this tornado we've been tracking." Tyler tells her and looks around, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You've been doing a great job. Your family, too. These public storm shelters are fantastic. Good on ya."

"Thanks. Yeah, we've been working really hard to make sure everyone is safe during storms. It's been a lot of work, but totally worth it," Libby replies, feeling a sense of pride swell within her. "My brother is around here somewhere, I'll take you to him. I'm sure you want to see him and he would wanna see you too." She said softly, beginning to lead him further into the storm shelter to where Q was. "So, you're still chasing tornadoes, huh? I saw that you even gained the name Tornado Wrangler." She said teasingly, nudging him with her elbow.

Tyler laughs and rolls his eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I gained a bit of a reputation-"

"Please. You have, like, around a million subscribers on YouTube and don't think I didn't see the little fan club you had when you arrived here." Libby interrupted him with a chuckle. When Tyler had got there, she had heard a loud commotion and noticed a small crowd surrounding someone but she couldn't see who it was until Tyler had walked over to her.

"Oh, so you've been keeping tabs on me?" Tyler teases, raising an eyebrow with a playful smirk. "I should have known you'd be one of my loyal fans."

Libby ignores the butterflies that erupt in her stomach at the smirk he sends her way and she rolls her eyes. Libby chuckles, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Guilty as charged. I've been following your adventures. It's hard not to when you make tornado chasing look so exciting. Plus, your videos are hard to miss with all the buzz they create."

Tyler grins, clearly enjoying the playful banter. "Well, I'm glad to know I still have some fans out there. Especially one as special as you."

Libby's heart skipped a beat at his words, a warm blush creeping onto her cheeks. Tyler's smile is contagious, and for a moment, the bustling storm shelter fades into the background. She focused on him, her mind racing with memories of their past adventures and the connection they shared. She had to admit, he had changed a bit. And not necessarily in a bad way. He was taller, a little bit more muscular, and his hair was a little longer and he had more scruff, not a beard. Not that she minded. She thought it was sexy, actually. No! Stop it, Libby! She scolded herself. But she couldn't help it. He was just…So hot.

"You checkin' me out, darlin'?" Tyler's sudden question caught her off guard and she almost tripped over her own feet, causing her to almost hit a nearby table. Almost. Tyler, being the gentleman that he was, steadied her with his hands on her waist and pulled her up, close to him. Too close. "Easy, Little Libs." He whispered, his breath ghosting her lips and causing a shiver to run down her spine.

Her heart pounds wildly in her chest as she feels his grip on her waist tighten ever so slightly. She looks up at him, her gaze locking with his, and she feels like the world around them has disappeared. It's just the two of them, staring into each other's eyes, and it's as if time has stopped. Her face is flushed and her palms are sweaty, but she doesn't care. All she can focus on is the feeling of his body pressed against hers and the sound of his breathing, ragged and uneven. Her mind is racing, and she knows she should step away, put some distance between them, but she can't move. Her hands were on his biceps from when he steadied her and her eyes were still locked on his.

She didn't know how long they stood there, just staring at each other, but it felt like an eternity. She was sure her face was as red as a tomato, and her heart was beating so fast, she was afraid it would burst out of her chest. His face was inches from hers, and she could feel the heat radiating off of him. She had no idea what was going on, but she didn't want it to end. At first amusement shined in his eyes, but now, his eyes were filled with an emotion she couldn't quite place. Something that made her heart flutter and face flush more. Something familiar she saw in his eyes. It was like a mix of longing, warmth, and something unspoken that pulled her closer to him. She wasn't sure what it was, but she wanted to find out. She didn't want him to let her go.

"No way, is that who I think it is?" A sudden voice broke the spell between her and Tyler and they jumped apart as if their touch burned. They both looked to the source of the voice and saw none other than her brother, Quentin.

"Q, hey." Tyler clears his throat, his face a little red as he rubs the back of his neck. Libby noticed he almost looked embarrassed which surprised her. He was always confident and didn't really show embarrassment. And was he blushing? Nope. No way. She had to have been seeing things. It was just a trick of the light. "What's up, man? Good to see you."

Quentin walks over and hugs him tightly before pulling back, clapping him on the back. "You too, Ty. Wow. It's been a while." He chuckles. "Noticed you've been doing good though. You're quite a celebrity now." He teased, making the taller man roll his eyes.

"Shut up, you're just jealous." Tyler replied, grinning.

"Oh, am I?" Quentin challenges, laughing. "Well, maybe a little. But really, I'm happy for you. You're living your dream."

Tyler nods, smiling. "Yeah, I am."

As her brother and his best friend caught up, Libby found her eyes glued to the tall, muscular tornado wrangler. His eyes lit up as he talked, and his voice was deep and smooth with a country twang to it. He had an air of confidence about him and while she can see some change in him, he was still the same Tyler that she grew up with. The one who taught her how to ride a for wheeler at her family's ranch. The one who chased storms with her and her brother. The one who held her and comforted her when she was scared of the thunder. The one who teased her and made her laugh. The one who gave her hope.

"Little Libs."

The voice snaps her out of her thoughts and she shakes her head, clearing her thoughts. "Hm?" She turns to Tyler, noticing him smirking at her, causing her to raise an eyebrow. "What is it?"

He laughs, his voice a low rumble. "I've called your name a couple times. You alright? You seem distracted." He questioned, looking at her curiously.

"Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry, just thinking about stuff. What were you saying?" She asked, trying not to make it obvious that she was staring at him.

Tyler smirks, his eyes shining with mischief. "Just sayin' I'm gonna have to leave soon. I gotta get to the tornado, you know, being a tornado wrangler and all. You should come along. You too, man." He adds, looking over at Q with a grin, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It'll be like old times. Us chasing tornadoes together. Remember when we used to do that, Little Libs?" He glanced back at her with a fond expression, causing her to smile back at him as her cheeks flush more.

"Yeah, of course. Though I also remember you are a crazy driver." She shot back playfully, causing him to laugh and Q to snort.

"She's not wrong, dude. You still drive like a maniac with your radio blasting?" Q teased, looking at his best friend with amusement.

"That's the only way to drive. If it's not blasting then you're not really living." He said matter-of-factly, his hands on his hips. "I'm serious though. Tornado week is coming up. Come on. For old times sake. I know you guys got a storm shelter to run now, but I think you guys can handle being away from it for a week. Right?" He looked between the siblings, raising his eyebrows.

Libby was tempted to say yes, but she wasn't sure if Q would be able to leave the shelter. He had a lot of responsibility, he was in charge of it while she was the manager. He was the boss. So, she looked over at him, wondering if he was going to accept the offer or not. She hoped he would agree. She had been wanting to get back into tornado chasing for awhile, she missed it a lot. A lot more than she realized until now. Yes, she loved helping people and working at the storm shelter of course, but she also missed the adrenaline and thrill of chasing a tornado and the satisfaction of stopping one.

Q sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure, man. This storm shelter is important. People need us. And besides, I have a lot of responsibility now."

Tyler scoffs, waving a hand. "Psh. Responsibility, shmonsibility. Come on, it's a once in a lifetime chance. And it's Tornado Week! How often do you get to spend an entire week chasing tornadoes? It'll be fun, you guys can reunite with the team and we can catch up. Please. Do it for me." He said, putting his hands together in a begging gesture.

"You can't say no to him." Libby chimes in, causing him to grin victoriously. "I mean look at that face. And those puppy dog eyes. How can you resist that?" Tyler nodded in agreement, doing his puppy dog eyed look more dramatic and pleading now to get Q to agree.

"Please, can we go? Just one week!" Libby tries to convince her brother, using her own puppy dog eyes that she knew he couldn't say no to. "Don't you miss it? The rush? The adrenaline?"

Q sighs heavily, looking up at the ceiling as if looking at God for help. "tares at the two of them, sighing heavily. "Ugh. Okay, fine. Fine! We'll go." He gives in, shaking his head. "I hate it when you guys gang up on me."

"Yes!" Libby cheers and hugs her brother. "Thanks, Q. You're the best. Seriously. Thanks."

Tyler's grin widens as he watches the siblings celebrate. "Awesome! You won't regret it. It'll be just like old times — except, you know, with a few more subscribers watching us now."

Libby's excitement is palpable as she looked at Tyler, her heart racing at the thought of getting back into tornado chasing. She had missed it more than she realized. The adrenaline, the thrill, the camaraderie with the team — it was all part of who she was. And now, with Tyler and Q agreeing to go, it felt like everything was falling into place perfectly.

Quentin chuckles, shaking his head with a fond smile. "Alright, alright. But you better make sure this week is worth it. I don't want to be dragging my tired self back here." He told his friend.

"Of course. When have I ever let you down?" Tyler replied, his eyebrows raised.

"Oh, let's see…There was that time in —"

"We don't talk about that."

"Okay, okay."

Libby laughed as her brother and best friend continued to banter back and forth, a warm feeling settling over her. It had been too long since the three of them were together, chasing tornadoes and laughing like they used to. She couldn't wait for Tornado Week.

[ejsandfarkleslovebot]

CHAPTER ONE, storms and forbidden feelings

(THEN)

It was a bright sunny day with a slight cool breeze. The Bradley household was buzzing and lively as they prepared for dinner. Colorful streamers and balloons were scattered throughout the first floor of the house and streamers went up the railing of the stairs. Of course they were all the same two colors, green and blue (Libby's favorite colors), and a sign was hanging from the ceiling that read, "Happy Birthday, Libby!" that her mother, Kendra, had painted herself. She was happy she could use her artist skills to decorate the house and was very pleased with the outcome. She was in the kitchen preparing the food with her mother's help.

The Bradley's lived in a small town in Arkansas, living on a ranch and raising cattle, chickens, and a few horses. Her parents were hard workers and had worked their way up from nothing to have the life they currently live. Libby's and Q's father, Daxten, was currently out in the field and would be back soon for dinner. There was a storm coming so he and his employees were making sure the cattle and the chickens were in shelter and had enough food and water to last until the storm was over.

"Kendra, honey, the cake is almost done. Where's Libby?" Loretta asks her daughter as she took the cake out of the oven. "I figured she would want to help decorate it."

"Most likely in her new hideout her dad made for her for an early birthday gift." Kendra chuckles, thinking about her now seven year old daughter. "She was so excited to have a new spot all to herself. She's been out there all day."

"I'll go get her then." Loretta replies with a smile. "See if she's up to decorating her own cake."

Loretta walks out of the kitchen and heads up the stairs to her granddaughters room. It took her a bit but she eventually found the secret door. It blended with the walls color and the wallpaper so if you didn't know it was there, you would've missed it. "Cupcake, dinner is almost ready. Want to come down and help decorate the cake?"

"No grandma. I'm good." Libby replied back, her voice muffled from the other side.

Loretta laughs at the girls response. "Okay, I'm coming inside." She says as she opens the secret door and climbs up the latter into her granddaughters hideout. It was small but not too small that you felt claustrophobic. "Nice place you have here, cupcake." She complimented, smiling while looking around.

Inside the hideout, it was decorated with fairy lights hung up, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and posters. Some of her drawings were hanging on the walls. There was a little corner where a couple bean bags were placed. A desk with a lamp and some books were in another corner. Art supplies sat on the desk. There was a rug in the middle of the room, surrounded by the bean bags. It was a simple cozy space, but it was Libby's own little hideaway from the world.

"Thanks, grandma." She beams. "Daddy made this just for me and helped me decorate it."

"That was nice of him." She replies. "Your mommy is getting dinner ready and your daddy will be back soon. So, yours welcome to help me decorate your cake if you want, cupcake." Loretta offers, smiling at her. "I'll even let you lick the spoon after we finish decorating."

Libby's eyes lit up and she nods. "Yeah! Let's go decorate!" She said excitedly, jumping out of the bean bag she was sitting on and running out of the room, heading downstairs. Loretta smiles and shakes her head, following her granddaughter downstairs.

When she arrived downstairs, Libby had already put the stool in front of the kitchen island where the cake was placed and grinned at her. "Can I add sprinkles, grandma?" She asked, giving her puppy dog eyes.

"Of course you can, cupcake. It's your cake." Loretta smiles. "Why don't you go grab the sprinkles from the pantry while I get the frosting ready."

"Okay." Libby went to grab the sprinkles and brought them to her grandmother. She stood on her stool and watched as her grandmother opened the can of frosting and grabbed a knife. She got the cake ready and began spreading the vanilla frosting onto the cake. When the cake was completely frosted, Libby's smile widened and she opened the can of sprinkles, pouring some onto the cake.

"Can I lick the spoon now, grandma?" She asked.

"Go ahead, cupcake." She handed the bowl and the spoon to Libby, who quickly began licking the frosting.

"Yummy!" She exclaims happily, eating the frosting. "It's really good, grandma."

"We can tell, sweetheart." Kendra chuckles, looking at her fondly and with slight amusement at seeing icing smeared across her daughter's face. "Try to eat the icing, not wear it."

Libby giggles. "Sorry, mama." Kendra just smiled and shook her head.

"How's my favorite birthday girl doing?" Daxten asks as he entered the kitchen, smiling at his wife and daughter. He chuckles when he sees icing all over his daughter's face. "Looks like you're having fun, ladybug."

"I am, daddy." She smiles, looking up at him. "Grandma let me help decorate the cake and I got to eat the icing, too." She beamed proudly, a few giggles leaving her.

"That's great, ladybug." He smiled and gave her a kiss on the head.

"Did you and the guys get the animals situated?" Kendra asked her husband.

"Yeah, the storm isn't going to hit us until late tonight so we should have time to prepare and board up everything." He responded, placing his cowboy hat on the kitchen counter, earning a look from his wife.

"You know the rules, no hats on the counter." She scolded.

Daxten rolls his eyes playfully and places his hat on the hook near the door that led to the garage. "Happy now, woman?"

"Not yet." Kendra replies, looking at him with amusement shining in her eyes as she smirks. "Maybe give me a kiss and I'll think about it."

He chuckles and walks over to her. He takes her hand, pulling her closer and surprising her by dipping her a little before he gives her a sweet and tender kiss. Libby was still standing on the stool, watching her parents with a huge grin and a sparkle in her eyes. Loretta stood behind her granddaughter, watching the couple with a smile. She was happy her daughter had found someone like her son-in-law.

"Gross." A voice called out. Tad pulled away from the kiss and chuckled, helping his wife stand up straight and then looked at his son who was standing by the door, his face scrunched up in disgust.

Quinten walks inside the house, closing the door. "Is it okay if I hang out with Tyler later? We were gonna go four wheeler drive after dinner." The ten year old boy admitted, looking at his parents hopefully.

Tyler Owens lived next door and was his best friend. His family was their neighbors and the boys had grown close. The Owens' had lived there for as long as the Bradley's. The families had gotten close over the years and the two boys were practically inseparable. Libby often tagged along with the boys, sometimes annoying them since they didn't want to have to babysit her all the time. But Libby just wanted to have fun and would often pester them to include her. She gained the nickname 'Little Libs' by Tyler. He was the one who had came up with it and had continued to use it over the years. It just stuck and now her whole family often called her that. She didn't like it at first, but grew used to it.

"Might have to cancel that. We're expecting a bad storm tonight." Daxten replies as he moved to help his youngest kid off the stool. Quinten pouts and moves to sit at the kitchen island. "C'mon, ladybug. Let's go clean your face."

Libby nodded and climbed off the stool and was picked up by her father, who took her upstairs to her bathroom. He helped her wash her face and hands. Daxten was surprised when he heard it raining, seemed like the storm was coming sooner than he thought. He and his daughter headed back downstairs. Rain was pelting against the windows, thunder rumbling in the distance, and the wind howling.

"Looks like the storm is here." Loretta calls out. "Hopefully the weather isn't too bad. Heard a rumor were supposed to get a tornado tonight."

"But grandma there aren't usually tornados here." Quinten argues, hesitating when he thought it over more and now second guessed himself. He pauses before furrowing his eyebrows. "Right?"

"There have been a few in the past." Daxten nods. "Just not recently."

"And that's why it's only a rumor." Loretta chuckles, smiling reassuringly at her grandson. "Don't worry, we thankfully have a storm shelter."

"I wanna see a tornado!" Libby spoke up excitedly. She never seen one in real life and she loved them. She always had this fascination with them. She loved watching videos and learning about them and storms in general. When she leaned what a weather man was, she declared she was going to become one and help predict storms when she was older and be a weatherman well weatherwoman.

"Too dangerous, sweet pea." Kendra tells her, shaking her head at her daughter. "We want to stay in the shelter so we can be safe when a tornado comes by. Not get close enough to see one."

Libby pouts and crosses her arms over her chest. "But I wanna see one. It's cool."

"No means no, ladybug." Daxten said, looking down at his daughter. "And it's not cool, it's dangerous and we could die." He firmly told her. He wanted her to understand how dangerous and deadly these storms are.

"But-" Libby began to argue, but stopped when her mother shot her a stern look that made her be quiet. She pouted again and looked down at her shoes. She had learned a while ago not to argue with her parents when they gave her a look like that. But she still felt upset. She understood what her dad was saying and she did want to stay safe, but she wanted to see a tornado. They fascinated her and she wanted to get a good look at one. She had never had a glimpse of one in person. She was a bit scared, but was also curious and she wanted to see how a real tornado was.

"Now that that's settled. Why don't we all eat?" Kendra offered.

Everyone agreed and made their plates. Conversation flowed easily as the rain picked up and the wind was blowing harder. The family ate their food, occasionally laughing and having fun. Libby was distracted, though, staring out at the window, watching the rain hit the window and the wind making the trees blow. She was excited and nervous about the storm, hoping she'd get to see a tornado.

The family ate their food, enjoying each other's company. After they finished, Libby and her parents helped clear the table and clean the kitchen while the rest of her family went to the living room to hang out and watch the news. But the TV eventually went out due to the storm.

Daxten was worried about the animals. They were protected from the storm, but they were still in danger if they were near a tornado. The storm was getting worse. Thunder booming, the wind howling and rain pelting hard against the windows. Libby was watching the storm, fascinated and amazed. The lights flickered a few times before they went out, the power going out. Libby wasn't phased and didn't notice. She just kept looking outside curiously. The power generator kicked in a few seconds later. Daxten checked the radio, listening to the warning that was currently on the radio. Then they heard a faint sound of the tornado siren go off.

"Okay, everyone. To the storm shelter." Daxten orders, looking at his family. He picks up Libby, holding her close. "Let's go, ladybug."

"No wait, Mr. Turtle!" She squirmed out of his arms, just then remembering she left her beloved stuffed animal outside on the porch swing when she was watching her brother and Tyler throw around a football. She didn't care about her own safety, she was worried about her stuffed animal. It meant the world to her. She ignored the calls of her parents as she ran to the door and onto the porch, taken aback when she was met with a harsh and cold wind and the heavy downpour of rain. But that didn't stop her. It surprised her but she continued on.

She ran to the porch swing where the stuffed turtle sat and grabbed him. She was soaked from the rain, her hair plastered to her face. She hugged the stuffed turtle close to her chest, shivering a little and was about to head back inside when she spotted it. There in the distance was a tornado. Her eyes widen in awe. She had never seen one in person before and seeing one in real life made her heart beat faster. The wind was howling and blowing hard and she was sure her parents and family was calling her name, but she was mesmerized.

She stood there and watched the tornado. It was huge, dark grey with white clouds inside of it. The sight was breathtaking. The wind and rain had stopped, it was silent. Libby stood there on the porch, her eyes trained on the tornado. She should've been afraid. Should've run and went to the shelter with her family, but she wasn't. She couldn't. It was a beautiful, majestic sight to see and she didn't want to miss it.

Her breath was caught in her throat, her grip tightening on the stuffed turtle. She stood there for a few more moments, her eyes still trained on the twister. It was amazing and she was glad she got to witness this. She let out a yelp when she's suddenly picked up and brought inside the house. Thomas had came back to grab her. She didn't care, she didn't pay them any attention. Her eyes were glued outside and on the twister.

"Dad, look!" She exclaims happily, her smile growing wide. "A tornado! I finally got to see one." She beamed and was still smiling, not noticing her dad was taking her to the storm shelter and didn't care. She was excited and happy, feeling proud of herself for getting to witness such an event. Daxten got to the storm shelter, Quinten closing the door behind them. Libby didn't really take note of the fact her family was in there. She was too entranced by the tornado.

"What were you thinking?!" Daxten scolds, looking down at his daughter as he set her down, but was keeping a hold on her. "You could've been hurt, ladybug. You're lucky the twister wasn't any closer."

"I'm sorry, daddy." Libby said, looking up at him with an apologetic look. "Mr. Turtle is safe now, too. See?" She showed her dad her stuffed turtle, looking more relieved now with a small smile on her lips.

Daxten sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He knew his daughter wasn't going to be afraid or scared of anything after this. He was grateful she was okay, but he was worried about her safety. He didn't want her running into the middle of a storm just to watch a twister. He didn't know what he would do if she had been seriously hurt or worse. He would do anything to keep her safe.

"I'm sorry for worrying you and mommy." Libby apologizes again, her bottom lip quivering and her eyes beginning to tear up as she looked at her father with remorse. "I just wanted to see the tornado because I've never seen one before. I didn't mean to make you worry."

Daxten's expression softens as he looked at his daughter, seeing the fear and concern in her eyes. He kneels down to her level and gently wiped a tear from her cheek. "I know, sweetheart. I understand that you're curious and excited. But your safety is the most important thing to us. Tornadoes can be very dangerous, and we want to make sure you're always safe."

Libby nods, her eyes still glistening with tears. "I'm really sorry, daddy. I promise I'll be more careful."

"That's all we ask." Daxten replied, giving her a reassuring hug.  

"I love you, daddy." She mumbled, hugging him back and burying her face in his chest as she held her stuffed animal tightly. 

"I love you, too, ladybug." Daxten whispered back, holding her close. The storm raged on outside, but in the shelter, surrounded by the comforting presence of her family, Libby felt a sense of security. The tornado, though still visible through the small window of the storm shelter, seemed distant now, and the roaring winds felt like a faint memory compared to the warmth and love she felt from her family. She felt guilty for worrying them, but was still happy she was able to witness a tornado. It was something she'd never forget and was grateful to have seen it.

The aftermath of the tornado was a little destructive. Thankfully no one was hurt and the animals were all safe. Some houses were destroyed, a few torn apart. It was a relief the Bradley's house wasn't destroyed. Many limbs and leaves in the yard, a large tree branch had hit the roof of the house so that part would have to be fixed. The storm didn't last too long and wasn't a big one thankfully. The whole family went out to help the community and help their neighbors, fixing the damage caused by the storm.

Libby's birthday had ended a lot different than what she had imagined. But it was something she'd never forget.

****

The next tornado she saw, she was a teenager and it was a much more terrifying experience than the first time she saw one.

She was with her family and the Owens' when the storm hit. The fifteen year old was helping them take care of the animals as the weather got worse and worse. She was getting worried. She knew they had a shelter, but they were still in danger. They could get hurt or worse. And when she noticed a horse had gotten scared and was running off into the words, she feared the worst and didn't hesitate to go after it. It was young too, it wouldn't stand a chance.

She ran after the horse. The rain was hitting her hard and the wind was blowing. The rest of her family and the Owens family were too busy with handling everything else, but Tyler spotted Libby running to the woods out of the corner of his eye as he helping getting the rest of the horses in the barn with her and Quinten.

"Little Libs!" Tyler locks the stall door he was at, having just guided one of the horses inside. "Q, keep doing what you're doing. I'll go after Libby." Quinten hesitated since be was also worried about his little sister and wanted to go after her too, but Tyler ran out before he could argue.

Libby was still chasing after the mare. It was dark and the sky was grey. Lightning and thunder crackled above her, lighting up the sky and startling the young horse even more. She ran after the horse, calling out to it. "Come on, girl!" She tries. "I'm trying to help you. Just listen to me. It's not safe here." She pleaded, but the horse kept running which made her groan in frustration.

Tyler catches up with Libby and the horse, grabbing her arm. "Are you crazy?! What were you thinking, Little Libs?!" He asked her, his voice a little loud due to the wind and rain.

"I was thinking that this poor mare is out here and is scared. We can't leave her." She replies, glancing up at the sky, noticing the weather was getting worse and they had to get somewhere safe. "She's young, Tyler. She won't stand a chance out here." She yanks her arm away from him. "And I'm not gonna leave her. So you can either come with me and help or go back." She turned and ran after the mare.

Tyler was taken aback by her attitude, but quickly followed her, not wanting to lose her. Libby ran after the mare. Her clothes were drenched and her hair was sticking to her face. She was soaked and freezing, but that didn't matter. All that mattered was saving this horse. But the weather was getting worse. The rain was coming down hard, the wind blowing harshly, and the lighting flashing. It was harder to see, but the two teens continued to run. Though at one point they lost sight of the mare.

"We need to go back. The weather is only getting worse. It's not safe here." Tyler yells over the wind, grabbing her hand and turning her around. "We can try and find her later, but right now we need to go."

Libby was hesitant, but knew he was right. She felt bad for the poor mare and wanted to help her, but they needed to get somewhere safe. And with the weather, they'd never be able to find her. When a sudden tree branch hits the ground next to her, it nearly misses her if it wasn't for Tyler, who grabbed her waist and pulled her close to him.

"C'mon, Little Libs. We gotta go." He grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him. Libby doesn't protest. They ran through the woods, trying to get home. But with the bad weather, it was hard to tell where they were or where they were going.

The tornado warnings went off, a loud siren sounding in the distance. Libby's heart was pounding, her stomach in knots as her grip tightened on Tyler's hand. The sound of the tornado siren only made things worse.

Tyler spotted a cave in the distance and tugged her to follow him to it. That cave was deep enough where they could hide and be safe from the storm. And the tornado forming nearby. The two ran to the cave, Libby almost slipping on the muddy ground when they reached the cave. Tyler caught her just in time before she hit the ground, tightening his hold on her. The seventeen year old helped her inside the cave, making sure they were far back and away from the entrance. They were far enough where they weren't close to the entrance, but could still hear the wind howling and see outside a bit. They were both drenched and soaked and exhausted from running. Libby slumped down on the ground, wrapping her arms around herself as she shivered. Tyler sat down next to her, putting an arm around her and bringing her close to him. She leaned into his side, laying her head on his shoulder. She brought her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

Tyler was trying his best to keep her warm, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. It wasn't doing much, his hands were freezing too, but he was trying. He knew they were both in danger. They were still a good ways from their houses and they didn't have the shelter with them, but this was the best he could do. The cave was dark and damp, but it was a temporary shelter. They both had used their flashlights on their phones for now, sitting them down for the light to face up.

"You scared the h** outta me." Tyler's voice broke the silence, his voice soft. He was staring ahead, his arms wrapped loosely around the girl next to him.

"I didn't mean to worry you." Libby replies, looking up at him. "That horse is young and she's alone and I didn't want anything to happen to her." She mumbles, looking at the rock wall in front of her. She was scared. While she was fascinated with tornadoes still, no one would want to be in this situation. "Thank you for not leaving me behind." She added quietly.

Tyler turns his head and looks at her, lifting a hand to push a strand of her hair behind her ear. He could see how scared she was. She was only fifteen, she was still a kid. And despite her stubbornness and tough attitude, she was still a kid. He didn't like seeing her upset or scared. "You really thought I would just leave you here?"

She looks back at the wall, hugging her knees tighter to her chest. "I don't know. It's not the first time someone left me behind." She muttered, remembering times he and her brother and sister had left her behind before when they didn't want her tagging along.

He sighs and wraps his arms around her. "I'm sorry." He whispers, hugging her close. Tyler looks down at Libby, his expression a mix of concern and relief. He could feel how cold and scared she was, and he wanted to do everything he could to make her feel safe. "I'm sorry you've felt left behind before," He said softly, his voice gentle. "You're not alone now. We're in this together."

Libby glances up at him, her eyes reflecting both her fear and gratitude. "Thank you for coming after me. I was really scared, but I didn't want to leave that horse out there."

Tyler nods, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. "I know. You've got a big heart, Libby. I understand why you were trying to save her. We'll find her after the storm."

She takes a shaky breath, trying not to think about what could have happened to the poor mare. "I hope so." She leans into Tyler, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you were with me."

Tyler pulls her closer, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Me too, Little Libs."

Libby felt herself begin to relax, Tyler's warmth and presence comforting her. Despite their surroundings, she felt safe with him. They're in this together, and she knows that they'll be okay. As long as they have each other. The storm continued and eventually the tornado had went past them. They knew that the tornado had went past since debris, tree branches and limbs were being thrown around. They were in a deep part of the cave, so they knew that they were safe. But Libby couldn't help but flinch and bury her head in Tyler's chest when the wind was getting loud or debris was being thrown. He kept his arm wrapped tightly around her, holding her close and doing his best to comfort her. He shielded her with his body as well, her body pressed against the rock wall and his body in front of her. He wanted her protected if something happened. He didn't want anything to happen to her and he was trying his best to protect her.

Libby had made sure to hold onto to the wall of the cave, there were little indents where she could hold on. Tyler held onto some as well, kneeling in front of her to cover her. She was thankful for his presence and support, even though they were both freezing and soaked and were stuck in the middle of the woods, hiding in a cave while a tornado raged on outside. She knew that as long as they had each other, they would be okay. Tyler kept reassuring her and telling her that they'd be okay. She was thankful for his company and she knew that he wouldn't let anything happen to her. She felt safe with him and she trusted him. Even though they'd bicker and fight sometimes, she knew that she could trust him. And she was grateful for that.

Tyler thought he should try to distract her from the raging storm outside. He couldn't help but glance down at her lips. He was thinking about kissing her. It was the perfect moment, right? She was scared and needed comfort. He could give her comfort. His thoughts were interrupted when a small tree branch and piece of wood came flying into the cave. Thankfully, it didn't land anywhere near them. Libby buried her head into Tyler's chest and wrapped her arms around his neck.

He wrapped his arms around her, one hand on her head, and he buried his face in her hair. His heart was beating fast, partly because of the raging storm, but also because he had her so close. He didn't want to admit it, but he had feelings for her. Strong feelings. And being this close to her and her practically clinging to him, it made him realize those feelings even more. He was brought out of his thoughts when Libby spoke up, her voice soft and a little shaky.

"This storm is really bad, isn't it?"

"Yeah." He agrees, his voice quiet. "It is."

Libby pulls away slightly, just enough so she can look at him. Her eyes are wide, reflecting the fear she feels. But there's something else there too, something deeper, something he can't quite name. "We'll be okay though." He assures her, giving her a small smile. "I'm not gonna let anything bad happen to you."

She nods, taking a deep breath. She knows he's right. As long as they're together, they'll be okay. "I trust you."

Tyler's smile widens at that, and he moves his hand to cup her cheek. "I trust you, too, Little Libs." He whispered, and he leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers. He couldn't help it. He had to. He was tired of pretending, of keeping his feelings a secret. He had to show her how he felt. He kissed her gently, but firmly, putting all his emotions into the kiss.

Libby's eyes widen in surprise, but she doesn't pull away. Instead, she returned the kiss, her eyes fluttering closed as she lost herself in the moment. Tyler's lips are soft and gentle, and she can't help but melt into the kiss. She has no clue what to do, it was her first kiss. But Tyler guided her, his hand moving to the back of her neck and pulling her closer. His lips move against hers, and she responded, following his lead. The kiss is tender and passionate, and it leaves them both breathless when they finally pull apart.

"Wow." Libby breathed out, her eyes still closed. Her heart was racing and her lips tingled from the kiss. It was her first kiss, and she didn't regret it. She didn't regret kissing him.

"Yeah." Tyler whispers, his thumb stroking her cheek. "That was..." He trailed off, unable to find the words to describe what he's feeling. He can't believe he finally kissed her, and he can't believe how amazing it was.

"Amazing." Libby finished for him, her eyes opening and meeting his. She gives him a small smile, and he can't help but grin back.

"Yeah, it was." He murmured, and he leaned in to kiss her again, this time a little more urgent and desperate. He had been waiting to kiss her for a while and he couldn't get enough. He hadn't done anything about his feelings for her because she was his best friend's little sister and his friend. He had never acted on his feelings because of that. But he couldn't stop himself now, not when she was kissing him back with just as much enthusiasm and passion.

She didn't care that her lips were cold, and they were both still freezing. The only thing that mattered was the two of them, and this moment. The storm raging outside was forgotten, the only thing she could focus on was the boy in front of her, the one who made her feel safe and who cared about her. The one who made her heart beat faster and her cheeks turn pink. The one who she had been secretly crushing on. And now, he was the one who was kissing her and making her feel like she was on top of the world.

As their lips moved against each other, the only sounds were their breathing and the tornado outside. It was like nothing else existed except for the two of them. They were in their own little world, and the only thing that mattered was the fact that they were together, and that they would always have each other. They were both scared and cold, but as long as they were together, they knew they would be okay. They had each other, and that was all that mattered.

Libby's heart was pounding in her chest, and she felt dizzy with happiness. She had been waiting for this moment for a while, and now that it was finally here, she didn't want it to end. She couldn't believe she was kissing her older brother's best friend and her friend, but it was everything she had imagined and more. He was an amazing kisser, and she couldn't help but get lost in the moment, in the feeling of his lips against hers. She had never been happier, and she knew that this was the beginning of something special, something that would change her life forever.

She was clearly less experienced, but Tyler didn't mind. Tyler was guiding her gently, his kiss tender and filled with a depth of emotion that spoke volumes about how he felt. Despite the chaos of the storm outside, the intimacy they shared in the cave provided a haven of warmth and connection that transcended their immediate fears. As their kiss deepened, Tyler's hands found their way to Libby's face, cradling her gently as if he were afraid to break the spell of their moment together. He loved how she responded, her hesitance gradually melting into a passionate and genuine return of his feelings. Each touch, each movement was filled with care and a newfound tenderness that was both exhilarating and comforting.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Tyler rests his forehead against Libby's. "You're beautiful." He murmurs, his gaze locked on hers. "And I'm sorry it took a freaking tornado to finally kiss you."

Libby smiled shyly, her cheeks turning pink as her heart fluttered at his words and the look of tenderness and adoration in his eyes. She was speechless, but she didn't need to say anything. The look in her eyes was enough to convey how she felt. She was happy and she was in love, and she knew that Tyler felt the same way. This was the beginning of something new and exciting, and she hoped they could get together and last forever. They stayed in the cave, huddled up and sharing more sweet kisses and whispers. The storm had died down and it was safer to go out now. The tornado had passed them.

When the storm finally ended, they were both ready to go out and continue their search to find the mare. They were surprised with the damage that had occurred and the destruction. They pushed on to find the mare, their hands easily finding each other's as they walked through the woods. They were both worried for the young mare. It was a miracle, but they did manage to find her. She was shaken and scared, hiding in a nearby cave. But when the two approached her, she knew that she was safe. She recognized them from before and didn't run. She was hesitant, but she let them approach her and they managed to get ahold of her and guide her back home.

"Do you think she'll be okay?" Libby asked, petting the mare as they walk back to the barn. The weather was getting better, the sky was clearing and the rain was stopping. She was relieved and thankful that they were able to find the young horse alive and unharmed and that the bad weather was finally gone.

"Yeah, I think so. 'Cause of you." Tyler replied, smiling at her and nudging her shoulder.

She blushes and smiles back at him, a sparkle in her eyes. "You helped too."

He laughs softly and shakes his head. "You did most of the work. I'm proud of you, Little Libs. You saved her."

She ducks her head, her cheeks flushing pink at the compliment. "Thanks."

They reach the stables, relieved to see that the damage was minimal. They lead the horse into the stables, giving her a good amount of food and water. The other horses were fine as well, but were shaken. But they were safe and sound and that was all that mattered. After a few minutes of petting the horses and making sure they were okay, the two teenagers left the stables and headed home.

Libby looked up at Tyler, a shy smile on her face. They were holding hands again, and the feeling of his hand in hers was both thrilling and comforting. She felt giddy and happy, and she couldn't believe how much had changed in such a short period of time. She had saved a horse, gotten caught in a tornado, and finally kissed the guy she'd been crushing on for a while. It had been an eventful day, but it had been worth it. And she was glad that Tyler was by her side through it all.