Conrad and the man lean forward in their seats, getting a better look. They turn back toward us almost in unison.
“We’ll have to turn around,” Conrad says. “This is the only way into town tonight.”
“What? No. She has to go to the hospital.” I gently squeeze Greta’s arm.
“I don’t disagree, but unless someone in here has a plane I don’t know about, there’s no way. We can’t move the tree on our own, especially not in the middle of this storm.”
“Then, we’ll get out and walk,” I argue.
Conrad shakes his head. “The storm’s too bad. The roads are already starting to flood, and we haven’t even made it to the worst parts.”
I glance out my window with a sinking feeling in my gut. Dark water covers most of the road. There’s no denying he’s right.
“About half a mile up, the road floods for quite a ways every time it rains,” he goes on. The storm is so loud he’s having to shout to be heard. “If it’s already this bad here, it’ll be worse there.”
“We could try,” Lewis says, but he doesn’t sound convinced.
“It’s not safe,” his friend says. “You can call an ambulance if you want, but whether or not they’ll be able to make it through is questionable until the storm clears and the water drains. Fornow, we’ll get home and get the wound on her neck cleaned up. Get a better look at it and ride out the storm.”
“There has to be another way,” I argue, trying to think of one. He’s right, however. This is the only road into town, but I can’t give up.
“Look, he’s right. Let’s just go back to Foxglove. I’m really okay,” Greta tells me, putting a hand on my shoulder. “It’s not worth dying over. We’ll find a way into town once the storm has passed.”
“You have no idea if you’re okay. You don’t even know what day it is.” My words are biting, but she takes them in stride.
“Either way, we don’t have a choice.”
“She’s right.” Conrad backs the car up, turning us around.
“Hey, who are you guys anyway?” she asks Conrad and the stranger. “Why do I recognize you?”
“You met him,” I remind her. “At the house after Taylor’s stuff was ruined. You saw Conrad then. Our neighbor.”
“That’s right,” Conrad says. “And this is my husband, Benji.”
“Husband?” The word smacks me in the chest. “I thought…what about the woman at your house earlier?”
Conrad glances back at me. “My mom. I was delivering her groceries before the storm. Benji is my husband and a nurse. He can take care of her, at least until we can get more help.”
Relief floods my chest so quickly it takes me by surprise. “A nurse.”
“Partially retired.” Benji smiles at me. “Also a baker, but he only ever brags about the nurse part. I’m not sure whether to be offended.” I remember the cookies then. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Before I can respond, my phone rings. “Taylor.” I put the phone to my ear quickly. “Hello?”
“Mom, what are you talking about? I’m not driving all the way to Grandma Billie’s.”
My veins freeze, then turn to slush. “What?”
“It’s way too far. I’m not driving there alone.”
“You…” My head spins. “You’re not already there?”
“What? No. I’m…I’m in town. I was supposed to be meeting Madison, but her mom made her turn around when the storm got bad.”
“You’re… Jesus, I don’t understand, Taylor. You’re in town? Right now?”
“What’s the big deal?”
