Chapter 11: Reunion in the Storm
They burst through the heavy steel exit door, collapsing onto the wet grass just as a dull explosion shuddered deep beneath the earth. The timber mill's foundations groaned, but the surface structure remained intact.
Rain washed over their dust-covered faces. Eleanor took a deep breath of fresh night air for the first time in ten years.
""Grandfather! Mom!""
A tiny voice called out through the dark. Laura had disobeyed Arthur's orders—she had left the SUV and was running across the muddy field toward them, tears streaming down her face.
May you like
""Laura!"" Eleanor cried out, throwing her arms wide.
The mother and daughter crashed into each other on the muddy ground, holding one another with a desperation that broke Arthur's heart. He knelt beside them, wrapping his arms around both, sheltering them from the storm.
