her, as to comfort herself.
The bearded man who sported a turban and a nametag that read
Desh Pradesh, QIG Manager
rushed out from behind the register and addressed the dozen or so people who were seeking shelter in his store. “May I have everyone’s attention, please? People, I believe the storm will no doubt be causing us some damage within a few moments. First, I ask that you all try to stay calm. I have had some emergency preparedness training.” He’d located several flashlights and held them up. “Why don’t some of you take these and make sure the batteries work? If not, the new batteries are at the end of that aisle. Also, the first aid kit is here with me.” He held it up.
“I hope we will not be needing it. Extra fresh water is stored in the back. Help yourselves to anything you need to make your stay more comfortable. And I mean anything. Except the till.” Everyone chuckled nervously. “And ma’am? The one who is expecting a blessing, I have a chair here for you, if you wish. My wife also is expecting soon, and I know standing at this stage can be tiring.”
With a grateful smile, Jen’s knees buckled as she sank into the chair he offered.
“Is there anyone you need to call?” Justin whispered in Abigail’s ear.
She licked her dry lips. “I should call my aunt,” she whispered back, but wondered if her shaking fingers would be able to dial.
“Good. I want to check in with my grandparents.” Standing arm in arm, they found their phones and called their families. Justin’s grandparents were safe and heading to a shelter in Southshire with some neighbors. Abigail couldn’t reach Aunt Selma or Guadalupe at the quilt shop, so she could only hope that they’d gone to Aunt Selma’s together. Aunt Selma had a full basement with a storm shelter built in.
“They’re saying it looks like the storm might miss Southshire, so I guess my family is okay.” Justin pulled her close and rubbed her shoulder. His voice was just as compelling as it had been last night, but now it carried the timbre of comfort. And strength. She was so glad he’d come after her. Going through this without him would be unthinkable.
“What do you—” she began, but was interrupted by a young woman with small children in tow as she came bursting into the store.
“Don’t go out there!” she shrieked, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she herded her kids deep into the room and away from the windows. “It’s heading straight at us! And . . .” she was sobbing now, “it’s enormous!” Her kids, one on her hip and two preschoolers were blubbering along with her. Behind her, the entire sky was roiling and black now, lit only by sudden flashes of lightning. The flying debris was getting bigger now, sheets of metal roofing flipping and whipping across the parking lot, as rain battered the Quick In Go’s front windows. In the distance, sirens were wailing like Irish banshees, forecasting certain death.
Tension had them all gripped in its clutches as everyone turned their attention back to the TV. The Weather channel now showed the tornado barreling down on Old Town.
“ . . . once again, the tornado has crossed Fisher’s Mill Highway and has reached the outskirts of Rawston, and we are watching it here in the studio as Doppler Radar tracks its progress. This weather system is producing violent winds and debris; if you are outside, take cover immediately . . . we are getting a report right now that the tornado is heading directly toward Old Town Rawston . . . we’ve got video . . . you can see that it is a very powerful tornado, and its base is estimated to be at least a half-mile in width, maybe twice that . . .”
The funnel was massive. Abigail’s eyes slid shut and sorrow spilled down her cheeks.
No. Please. No.
Not her beautiful shop. She battled back a wave of nausea as she looped her arms around Justin’s waist and pushed her face into the comforting softness of his flannel shirt. Alternately, he
The bearded man who sported a turban and a nametag that read
Desh Pradesh, QIG Manager
rushed out from behind the register and addressed the dozen or so people who were seeking shelter in his store. “May I have everyone’s attention, please? People, I believe the storm will no doubt be causing us some damage within a few moments. First, I ask that you all try to stay calm. I have had some emergency preparedness training.” He’d located several flashlights and held them up. “Why don’t some of you take these and make sure the batteries work? If not, the new batteries are at the end of that aisle. Also, the first aid kit is here with me.” He held it up.
“I hope we will not be needing it. Extra fresh water is stored in the back. Help yourselves to anything you need to make your stay more comfortable. And I mean anything. Except the till.” Everyone chuckled nervously. “And ma’am? The one who is expecting a blessing, I have a chair here for you, if you wish. My wife also is expecting soon, and I know standing at this stage can be tiring.”
With a grateful smile, Jen’s knees buckled as she sank into the chair he offered.
“Is there anyone you need to call?” Justin whispered in Abigail’s ear.
She licked her dry lips. “I should call my aunt,” she whispered back, but wondered if her shaking fingers would be able to dial.
“Good. I want to check in with my grandparents.” Standing arm in arm, they found their phones and called their families. Justin’s grandparents were safe and heading to a shelter in Southshire with some neighbors. Abigail couldn’t reach Aunt Selma or Guadalupe at the quilt shop, so she could only hope that they’d gone to Aunt Selma’s together. Aunt Selma had a full basement with a storm shelter built in.
“They’re saying it looks like the storm might miss Southshire, so I guess my family is okay.” Justin pulled her close and rubbed her shoulder. His voice was just as compelling as it had been last night, but now it carried the timbre of comfort. And strength. She was so glad he’d come after her. Going through this without him would be unthinkable.
“What do you—” she began, but was interrupted by a young woman with small children in tow as she came bursting into the store.
“Don’t go out there!” she shrieked, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she herded her kids deep into the room and away from the windows. “It’s heading straight at us! And . . .” she was sobbing now, “it’s enormous!” Her kids, one on her hip and two preschoolers were blubbering along with her. Behind her, the entire sky was roiling and black now, lit only by sudden flashes of lightning. The flying debris was getting bigger now, sheets of metal roofing flipping and whipping across the parking lot, as rain battered the Quick In Go’s front windows. In the distance, sirens were wailing like Irish banshees, forecasting certain death.
Tension had them all gripped in its clutches as everyone turned their attention back to the TV. The Weather channel now showed the tornado barreling down on Old Town.
“ . . . once again, the tornado has crossed Fisher’s Mill Highway and has reached the outskirts of Rawston, and we are watching it here in the studio as Doppler Radar tracks its progress. This weather system is producing violent winds and debris; if you are outside, take cover immediately . . . we are getting a report right now that the tornado is heading directly toward Old Town Rawston . . . we’ve got video . . . you can see that it is a very powerful tornado, and its base is estimated to be at least a half-mile in width, maybe twice that . . .”
The funnel was massive. Abigail’s eyes slid shut and sorrow spilled down her cheeks.
No. Please. No.
Not her beautiful shop. She battled back a wave of nausea as she looped her arms around Justin’s waist and pushed her face into the comforting softness of his flannel shirt. Alternately, he
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