Page 5 of The Ice Sisters

The bad feeling in Cord’s gut morphed to borderline panic. “Where was she?” Cord asked.

“Emerald Falls Inn on Coal Mountain.”

Cord’s mind raced. That was a little over half an hour from Crooked Creek. He’d worked SAR, Search and Rescue, with FEMA for years. With the sudden snowstorm, freezingtemperatures and the miles of untamed land on the Appalachian Trail, even experienced hikers could get lost or slip and fall. Or succumb to the elements. There were also dangerous animals in the woods. A wild boar could blow a pint-sized woman like Ellie away in seconds.

“I’ll drive up and check on her,” Cord said.

“Thanks, McClain. I’d go with you, but Ellie would have a hissy fit if I showed up acting all parental.”

Cord bit back a chuckle. He was right about that. Ellie was as stubborn as a mule and independent to a fault.

“Copy that.” He hung up, contemplating whether or not to go alone. But if Ellie was in trouble, he might need help.

He punched Fox’s number and relayed his conversation with Randall. “I’m heading to Coal Mountain as soon as I pack some gear.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Cord agreed, then told Shondra and hurried outside to his truck. He’d pick up his SAR dog, Benji, on the way.

But as he stepped outside, the snow was thickening and the temperature was dropping quickly. If whiteout conditions occurred and Ellie was hurt or trapped in the woods, it might be difficult to find her.

They had to hurry.

FOUR

EMERALD FALLS

Ellie’s lungs strained for air as she sank into the freezing water. She kicked and pedaled her arms, clawing for something to hold onto so she could break the surface. Ice cracked and shattered as she clawed at the ground.

She held her breath, but she felt as if her lungs were going to explode. Already her body was going numb, her limbs heavy.

You can’t give up. Get yourself out of here.

But her body was so heavy she felt like she was trapped in quicksand. Fighting panic, she blinked rapidly to find her way. Her lungs stung as they started filling with water. Pain shot through her body and head, and the water pulled her under. God help her, she was drowning.

Determination and the will to survive burst through her and she summoned every ounce of strength she possessed and fought until she finally broke the surface. More ice cracked and she spit out water, then gasped for a breath just before she sank again. Seconds ticked by. A minute. Two. Three.

How long could she hold her breath?

She flailed, felt the water tugging her deeper and deeper. It was murky and hard to see, the darkness closing around her.

But a sliver of light seeped through the ice, and she followed it until she swam to the edge. Arms throbbing and body shaking, she clawed at the ground surrounding the pond. Snow chilled her already freezing fingers through her gloves, but she finally managed to latch onto a vine. Her body screamed with pain as she dragged herself over the edge.

Teeth chattering, she hauled her body across the snowy ground and collapsed. She needed help.

But as she lifted her head, the vultures’ screeches reached her. She gasped for another breath and pushed herself up, then staggered toward the waterfalls. The wind howled off the mountain, burning her cheeks and ripping through her clothing. Trees swayed in the gust of wind, sending snowflakes flying through the air. Numb from the cold plunge, she forced her feet to move and slogged through the snow. Her boots sank into the slush and snowflakes fell in a blinding haze.

She stumbled and nearly fell but caught herself. Her breath puffed out. The world blurred as a dizzy spell assaulted her. She swiped water from her eyes, then leaned against a tree for a second to steady herself. Time seemed to stand still as she struggled to keep moving.

One foot. Two. Three. Snow swirled around her. The splash of the cold water from the falls sent another chill through her. She crossed to the side and ducked beneath the overhang, her legs wobbling.

Nausea clogged her throat, and shock slammed into her as she spotted two little girls lying on the ground.

Twins with matching hairbows and torn clothing. Streaks of crimson stained the snow and ice and had created a dark red pool beneath their bodies. And their pretty green eyes were wide open, haunted with the death stare.

FIVE

PAWPAW VALLEY

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