Page 99 of All Too Well
“Oh my God.”
I smile because the falls are beautiful anytime, but at night, when the moon is bright and the stars are everywhere, it’s breathtaking.
“Welcome to Ember Falls.”
Ainsley’s eyes are wide as she looks around. There is one large waterfall off to the left, and to the side of it are five small ones. The big one has a pool at the bottom where we love to swim.
“This is incredible.”
“It’s my favorite part of the property.”
I lay out the blanket and extend my arm to indicate she should sit. She does, leaning back on her elbows, staring at the falls.
“I honestly didn’t know you guys had a waterfall. I thought I heard something at Killian’s, but I figured it was in my head.”
“Why did you think the town was named this then?”
“I don’t know. I thought maybe someone fell in a pile of ashes or something and thus the town was named.”
I snort. “It would be plausible, but no, these are the falls.”
“How have I been here this long and no one ever talks about it?”
I move toward her with a grin. “That’s part of the town rules.”
“Town rules? To not talk about the fact you actually have a waterfall in the town?” She sits up, crossing her legs.
“We take an oath.”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes, and we all know how well people keep their vows on anything these days.”
That much is true. Still, there are some things that people will honor, and this is one. “There is a legend about these falls.”
Now she looks incredibly interested. “Do go on.”
“The story is that over two hundred years ago, the settlers of Ember Falls wanted this place to remain a secret. The waterfalls were said to have healing powers, but they were a greedy bunch and worried the magic would run out if too many people knew.” She shifts closer. “The falls are on two private properties, and those two farmers wanted to keep people off their lands, so they told no one. It wasn’t until the first farmer got sick—he was told there was no hope and he couldn’t survive the illness, but his wife believed in the power of the falls. She had her sons carry him down to the falls and bring him in. Two weeks later he was back on the fields, plowing and farming.”
“No!” Ainsley gasps. “He was healed?”
I nod slowly. “Also, the two sons who went in the water had their scabies clear.”
She makes a face. “Umm, eww.”
“After that, the town made a vow that they’d protect the falls and its magic.”
Ainsley leans forward. “And what exactly is the vow? Because I’m pretty sure you’re breaking the rules by telling me. A journalist.”
“Are we on the record?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then I think my secret is safe. The vow is that we let no outsiders know, and you, sweetheart, are definitely one.”
“Thank you for bringing me here,” she says softly. “For trusting me with the town secret. I promise I won’t betray the trust you’ve bestowed upon me.”
I trust her more than I’ve trusted any other woman. I honestly don’t remember a time before she was in my life. I remember all the moving, not having friends, my mother being sad and alone, but not people. Not life, just as though it’s fragments of time I tried to forget.
Then I met the MacKinleys. Things were never the same after that. Caspian was like a brother to me, always there when I needed him, and Ainsley was ... well, Ainsley. She was always around, always driving us crazy and tattling anytime we left her out.
