In the months leading up to the conflict, the conversation around the dinner table invariably ended with talk of the Mason-Dixon line and the need to keep the shame of slavery from spreading into every new territory. Her pappa and stepbrothers spoke proudly of President Lincoln, who hailed from their fair state, and they denounced the Southern states for seceding.

Once the president had called for troops, the men had rushed off to put the South in her place. Like everyone else, Greta had expected a quick victory for the North, had never believed it would drag on for a year and a half.

Again, silence fell over the cavern. The lightning and thunder had ceased, and the rain had softened to a low patter. The chill in the air, however, hadn’t diminished. It had only seemed to increase, and Greta couldn’t hold back a shudder. She crossed her arms, hugging herself for warmth.

“The rain won’t last much longer,” Mr. McQuaid said.

“I don’t mind.” Astrid yawned, leaning her head against Greta’s leg. “Maybe me and Greta can live here in this little cave. It’s real nice.”

Greta’s thoughts tumbled together as she fought against another shudder. Though plenty of time had passed since she’d lost Thomas, thoughts of him always made her melancholy. She’d first met him when his father, Reverend Lawson, had performed her mamma’s funeral.

After the memorial service, Thomas offered her a peppermint, winning her affection. After that, he’d become a fast friend. He’d been a safe place, the only one who’d made her feel needed and important, at least until her half-siblings had come along, and she’d proven her worth by helping to take care of them.

Thomas had been there for her when she’d been devastated by her little brother Liam’s death from consumption, and when her stepmother had died not many months later. He held her and comforted her and promised her that God was there still with her.

And when she’d felt the pressure from her family to get married and take Astrid with her, Thomas had been the one to offer his hand, to tell her he loved her and always would.

When Thomas died, her future had crumbled, and she’d been floundering ever since. Then when she’d learned Pappa was gone, she realized she didn’t have a single soul left who cared what became of her. While Pappa had always been working and never affectionate, at least he’d been solid and secure and looked after her.

With the engagement to Phineas, she’d thought she’d reestablished her footing. But today, the solid ground had given way to raging rapids that seemed to be carrying her away.