h's

ain lodge wasn't the warmth from the massive stone firepl

Sophi

a suitcase beside her, looking just as

econd, neithe

eekends in the year, fate had somehow decide

ross her chest. "You'v

ed them into my coat pocket. "I

one of us to the other. "Do..

ophia answered bef

g. "I don't think she's

rprisingly

er throat. "I'm sorry, sir

h St

ked over with a bright smile. "We're honored to have you staying with us, Mr. Steele.

ebrow. "What k

toward Sophia. "We onl

t happened to the ro

failed about an hour ago. We had to move several guests into the remai

a and I looked

utely

e another optio

ed, and the state police

r forehead. "Thi

wo bathrooms," the receptionist offered. "

t exactly the s

sleep in the lobby tonight, th

pped in blankets. Children slept against their parents. An elder

ot to annoy

t belie

ai

amatically. "

do

re she finally looked at the rec

y card, and quietly added that the blizzard was expec

der

iving room while floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the mountains, though almost nothing was visi

ase beside the bedroom closest to t

g to argue. I'll

her of us spoke. The sile

und rules," I said. "You stay out of my room.

n't aware adults needed t

be surp

hing

kend, we never tell any

earned a la

the first time you'

le. It was a f

accept

toward the kitchen. "You rea

interest

efest moment before pr

windows while fierce winds rattled the entire building. The television displayed conti

he window. "I've neve

y keep us here

ally, I already called him. He said getting he

ke a reaso

t your cha

zers. They'd rather I arrive l

intly. "That'

ployee stood outside holding several blankets, a

help,"

ed beside me

travelers had arrived during the past hour, and seve

han six. She clung tightly to a stuffed ra

side her. "Hi. My name is S

oked down. "His na

rmly. "That's a

e child sm

an carry luggage toward the elevators. Sophia wasn't trying to impress an

urpris

ting beside the fireplace with steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Nei

"Can I ask you something? Why

estion I had expecte

ake up every morning thinking about

tly. "Those aren'

hey ar

ted pat

time when your brother and I were friends. We played

d. "Mason never

ot sur

happ

ll hurt too much to explain. "

tened. "I've heard

h I ha

e but didn't push for more. Instea

letely off guard. Most people wanted details. M

e me look at h

ter far too quickly. Maybe she

s though the storm had pressed pause on the rest of the world. Somewhere

o the flames befo

me,

, but instead she moved closer, wrapping her arms around

il nothing else seemed to m

while inside we stopped fighting the fe

only to us. When morning came,