Lynn Hot! | Ella Reese River

“Hey,” Ella said.

“We fix it,” Lynn said quietly. “The breaker box is on the side of the house. The tree missed it by two feet. If we can seal this hole and reset the main breaker, we have heat and light. Then we wait.” ella reese river lynn

Then a tree fell.

They would clear the tree tomorrow. They would call a repairman for the door. But right now, the four of them were exactly where they were supposed to be: tangled together in the wreckage and the light, holding on. “Hey,” Ella said

When the immediate terror passed, they saw the problem. The fallen tree had taken out the main breaker box. The house was dark, cold, and the only way to the road was now blocked by a tangle of oak branches. The tree missed it by two feet

Ella watched Reese’s profile. The firelight danced on her sharp jaw. She thought about saying it. I love you. I have always loved you. But the words tangled in her throat, barbed wire and honey.

They huddled in the living room. Lynn dug out hurricane lamps. River found a deck of cards. But the storm was too loud for conversation. Every crack of thunder made the floorboards jump.