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PROLOGUE

Estelle Noll neveron the rooftop made her sht were a welco su the world through the pane of glass They cracked the screen earlier in anticipation of as to come The distinct aroma that came from wet concrete was nature’s perfume She couldn’t wait to breathe in the crisp, clean scent

I’m an unrepentant pluviophile A total lover of rain who found joy and peace in the precipitation The corners of her lips curled up as her mind went to her ifted her with her appreciation of books, rain, and whilish-born couple loved classic literature, and ondrous tales about their life in Kent, England

They’d returned to their hoo, and Estelle missed them more every day Soon they’ll be back to prepare for your birth, little one She rubbed her rounded belly

A tiny foot kicked in response, and garnered a sht now Wonderment filled her For five years she and Everett tried to have a baby Therefore, with his low sperm count and her endometriosis this bun in her oven was a tiny miracle

“I can’t wait to lanced at the worn copy of her name inspiration, Great Expectations, in her lap

The wail of sirens brought her fros were co her book, she studied the sky rapidly changing color The hairs on the back of her neck and arms stood on end; a sense of unease flooded her syste her eyes Had the sky taken on a green hue? The wind had picked up The branches on the trees shook violently in the wind

“Stell” Everett strode into the room The terse tone and clipped words made her hackles rise

“What’s wrong?” she asked, standing to greet him

“We need to go downstairs The bathroom is the safest place They spotted a funnel nearby”

Goosebumps covered her flesh A fine sheen of sweat broke out on her forehead She toyed with the he the er and thumb

He led to close it “I’ll close this You go downstairs, now”

The bass in his voice put her in h her body; worry sat in her sto A luripped the bannister, careful not to trip as she waddled her way down the stairs Balls of ice hit the alls, and roof with loud cracks

She jogged toward the bathroom Fear drove her into the tiny rooer to have Everett in her line of sight Taking deep breaths, she atte at bay Her stomach soured She rocked back and forth to co bundle in her belly The attempt failed His footsteps pounded on the steps

He appeared in the doorway a few moments later His face was pale as a sheet, and the crow’s feet in the corners of his eyes stood out Lips drawn in a straight line, and dark eyes full of sadness, he presented a gri to make it Tears blurred her vision, and her shoulders shook as she tried to hold in her sobs

He sat on the edge of the tub and gripped her chin “Hey I need you to cal happen to you or the baby We’re going to get into the tub, stay down, and pray our asses off We’ll be interviewed on the nehen all this is over Okay?”

She sed the hysteria threatening to rise in her throat like carbonated bubbles full of crazy and nodded Their lips met in a kiss that smacked of desperation She poured every ounce of love she held for thisheavily, they stared into each other’s eyes She saw everything in his hazel orbs—the fear, the joy, and the determination Everett Noll had never let her dohen it counted He wouldn’t start now if he could help it

“I love you, Estelle”

“I love you, too, Everett” She had to yell to be heard over the roar that sounded like a massive waterfall