No one came.

We hurried into the mudroom.

I grabbed a yellow rain jacket for Lily and slipped it over her shoulders.

I unlocked the door to the garage and pushed it open.

The garage was vast, housing Conrad’s vintage cars and Grant’s sports car.

My practical SUV sat in the far corner, dusty but reliable.

I opened the passenger door and helped Lily into her seat.

I buckled her in, making sure the straps were tight against her chest.

“Keep your head down, Lily,” I said. “We’re going to drive through the rain.”

“Okay, Mommy,” she said, her voice steady.

I closed her door softly and got into the driver’s seat.

My hands gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white.

I started the engine.

The low rumble of the motor felt incredibly loud in the enclosed space.

I hit the button for the garage door.

It rolled upward with a slow, grinding screech.

The wind immediately whipped rain inside, spraying the windshield.

I shifted into reverse and backed out into the driveway.

The headlights cut through the sheets of pouring rain.