Prologue
Ellison
Age 23
“Ellie, get your ass up here.”My sister, Baylor, motions for me to join her and our other two sisters in their dance party in the middle of the living room.Baylor is the closest in age to me, being two years younger.At twenty-one, she’s free-spirited and as independent as they come.She’s got big dreams, and she’s not going to let anyone stand in her way.
“I’m supervising,” I fire back, taking a sip of my sweet tea.Grandma Ruby makes the absolute best sweet tea.
“Nope.It’s sisters’ night,” Baylor reminds me, shimmying her hips on her way to the couch.She offers me her hand, and I take it, allowing her to pull me to my feet.I roll my eyes but wiggle my hips at the same time, and all three of my sisters cheer me on.
I was thirteen when we started sisters’ night.My parents were going on a date night, and my youngest sister, Courtlynn, was six and not having it.She wanted to go with them, and her big crocodile tears broke my heart.I was supposed to hang out with friends that night, but I changed my mind, declaring it a "sisters’ night" instead.It became our tradition anytime our parents had a date night.
At thirteen, I’d been the oldest, so all three of them had looked up to me.Courtlynn had quickly dried her tears, and it was junk food, movies, and dancing, then, as Courtlynn got older, boy talk.That was ten years ago, and we’re still going strong.Of course, it helps that we all still live at home.
I’ve considered moving out several times.In fact, my best friend, Kinzie, and I are going to look at an apartment in town next week.Magnolia Ridge is small, so available places are few and far between.We’re both pretty certain we’re going to sign the lease.We’ve been talking about this for years, and we’re finally going to make it happen.
I work for the family business, Magnolia Manor, so I live on the same grounds where I work.At twenty-three, it will be nice to have some independence away from my sisters and my parents for once.Don’t get me wrong, I love them all dearly, but it’s time for me to leave the nest.
I jump at the sound of thunder roaring outside.The deep grumble is so intense it seems to shake the house.Rain pelts the windows, and the wind is howling.A loud crack of lightning has us all screeching and diving for the couch.
Courtlynn bursts out laughing.“What’s this couch going to do to protect us?”She’s sixteen, wild, and witty.As the baby of the family, we all let her get away with pretty much anything when she was younger.Who am I kidding?We still do.
“At least we’re together,” Leighton, my second youngest sister, declares.Her eyes grow wide as another crack of lightning rolls through.She turns to stare out the living room window.“I hope Mom and Dad stay put until this is over,” she muses.Leighton’s eighteen, and she’s my quiet, kind-hearted sister.She’d do anything for anyone without a second thought.
“I’m sure they’re fine.Probably waiting it out at the restaurant, letting the storm pass,” I assure them.As the older sister, it’s my job to keep them calm, right?
A huge wind gust rattles the windows, and chills break out across my skin.
“Maybe we should turn on the television,” Leighton suggests.
“Good idea.”Reaching for the remote, I hit the power button, and the TV comes to life.Instantly, the news anchor tells us we’re under a tornado warning and should seek shelter.
“Shit,” Leighton mutters.
“What do we do, Ellie?”Courtlynn asks.
“Basement,” I tell her.“Grab flashlights, candles, a lighter, and some blankets.”Our parents keep a refrigerator down there—just a small one with water—and they keep it stocked, thankfully.“It might be a long night.”We all jump into action, and I grab my ringing cell phone off the table.We scramble to get what we need as I answer the call, while the realization hits me that Grandma Ruby is all alone at the inn.It’s about five hundred feet from the house, and there are only two rooms full tonight.
Grandma Ruby’s name flashes on the screen.“Are you okay?”I answer.
“Ellison.”Her tone is firm, and instantly, I’m on alert.“Are your sisters with you?”
“We’re all here.Mom and Dad are still out.Are you in the basement?The guests?”
“We are,” she says, her voice cracking.“Ellison,” she says again, using my full name, and I know whatever she says next is going to rock me to my core.“There’s been an accident.”
My heart starts to race, and my palms are sweaty.“What kind of accident?”I ask, waving for my sisters to go on to the basement, nodding that I’m right behind them.My feet are slow to move, but I start taking small steps as I wait for Grandma to say more.
Gram’s voice cracks, and I know it’s bad.My phone beeps, alerting me to another call.Pulling my phone from my face, I see Bowen's name, one of my best friends, on the screen.I hope he’s okay.I need to know he’s all right, but right now, I’m frozen in place.
“Tell me,” I croak.It’s bad.I know it is.
“The water was too high,” she says, her voice raspy and thick.“Their car got swept away.They’re—” A sob breaks free, and I swallow back my own.“They found them, but it was too late, Ellie.It was too late,” Grandma cries.
No.No.No.“Who?”I ask.It’s a stupid question.I know who she’s talking about, but I need to hear her say it.
“Your parents.They’re—gone,” she whispers.
