he cursed her luck as she
fumbled with the door handle； tripped out of the car； and promptly sank
in snow nearly as high as her boots。 Even through rose…colored glasses；
hopes for the car were low。
She peered up the hill in the direction of the house。 In ideal weather；
the walk was a mile's mild uphill challenge。 But in this blizzard？ And
then there was the possibility that Mitch was stuck somewhere； too。 But
he was the one with the key。
She sneezed and raised a parka…covered arm to her face。 If the door was
locked； she would just have to break in。 There was no other choice。 She
couldn't go back； and she couldn't stay here。
Packing her pockets with KLEENEX； she closed up the car。 She zipped the
parka all the way； pulled its hood over her wool hat； pushed her hands
into gloves； and set off。 She trudged as fast as she could through the
mounting snow； lifting one leg high； then the other。 Her muscles began
to ache。 Tucking her head deeper into the hood of her parka； she plodded
on。
Thirty minutes passed； then another fifteen。 Exhausted； she looked
around for something to rest against。 But all was white； lonely；
uninviting； and bleak。 Looking back； she saw nothing but her own
footsteps。 Looking ahead； she saw nothing at all。 She pushed on；
absolutely； positively refusing to believe that she may have taken the
wrong road。
Bone…weary and weak from coughing； she grew more frightened as the
minutes passed。 Signs of life were nonexistent。 The cabin had to be
somewhere。 For another half hour； she pushed herself forward； pausing
occasionally to blow her nose； huffing hoarsely at the exertion；
ig