before
long。 She didn't relish driving through the storm in the dark。
She thought of stopping at an inn for the night； but feared that
tomorrow wouldn't be any better。 Besides； she had no way to contact
Mitch。 He would be worried if she didn't show up。
Her snow tires clung tentatively to the road as she turned off the
highway at last。 There were still miles to go； but at least the road was
smaller。 Unfortunately it was also deserted。 She pushed the small car
through a blinding rage of white。 Vistas were obliterated。 Only the low
fencing at the side of the road kept her on course； though how long it
would be before they were covered by drifts； she didn't know。
Her hands were white…knuckled on the wheel。 The snow was a thick wall
behind her； so there was no turning back。 She peered nervously through
the windshield； praying for a plow。 With each passing mile； she drove
more slowly through accumulating depths。
When her pace was down to fifteen miles an hour； and she couldn't see
more than a single car's length ahead； she felt a wave of panic。 The
sense of isolation was utter and intense。 Fighting a sudden dizziness；
she kept her foot on the gas。
Dusk had fallen by the time she reached the cottage cutoff。 She was so
relieved to see it； that she took the turn a hair too fast。 The car
skidded and fishtailed before ing to an abrupt halt several yards
into the private way； lodged firmly in a snow bank at the side of the
road。
Swearing under her breath； Anne worked the gear shift； alternating
between forward and reverse in an attempt to free the car from the
drift。 Her nerves were already taut。 Now s