Ira Knox didn’t have a typical childhood either. After the death of his mother, his father would eventually abandon him to work out his room and board for the Fortescues, an older couple very popular in the town of Deepwater, Texas. He doesn’t suspect his life will change when he picks up the new maid, Annabelle, from the train station. But it is about to.
Cedarville and Deepwater were formed into sister towns during the Long Winter of 1883. Because of their close connection, both Annabelle and Ira have memories of how people pulled together to survive during that terrible winter. This bond helps them through when their lives are threatened by a sudden, inexplicable danger. They will have to work together – just like the townsfolk did in 1883 – if they want to survive.