Lana didn’t hesitate. She handed me back my phone and moved past me onto the porch, kneeling beside the woman. Together, we helped her to her feet and guided her inside, Scout watching warily from the living room.
Once the door was shut against the storm, I got a better look at our visitor in the firelight. She was soaked through, shivering uncontrollably, her dark hair plastered to her face. She had no visible injuries, but hypothermia was a real concern.
“Blankets,” I said to Lana, who was already moving toward the linen closet. “And see if there are any dry clothes that might fit her.”
The woman swayed on her feet, and I caught her elbow to steady her.
“Let’s get you by the fire,” I said, guiding her toward the living room. “I’m Caleb. That’s Lana. What’s your name?”
“J-Julia,” she stammered, allowing me to lead her to the couch. “Julia Smith. I was driving to Pinecrest when the storm hit. I couldn’t see the road...”
“How far did you walk?” I asked, helping her remove her wet coat. Beneath it, her clothes were soaked as well.
“I don’t know. It felt like forever.” She looked up at me with exhausted eyes. “Thank you for letting me in. I thought I might...”
“Die out there?” I finished when she trailed off. “Yeah, that was a possibility. You’re lucky you found us.”
Lana returned with an armful of blankets and what looked like sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt. “These should work. The bathroom is down the hall if you want to change. There are towels in there, too.”
Julia nodded gratefully, but when she tried to stand, her legs buckled. I caught her before she could fall, grimacing as my own injury protested the sudden movement.
“I’ve got her,” Lana said, slipping under Julia’s arm. “Come on, let’s get you warmed up.”
As Lana helped her toward the bathroom, I sank into an armchair, rubbing my thigh. The day’s exertions had taken their toll, and now this. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. The timing was too convenient—a stranger appearing at our doorstep during a power outage, in the middle of a snowstorm, right after we’d discovered evidence of hidden treasure.
Scout seemed to share my suspicion. He’d moved to sit by my chair, his attention fixed on the hallway where they had disappeared.
“What do you think, boy?” I murmured, scratching behind his ears. “Coincidence or complication?”
The dog’s ears twitched, but he offered no opinion beyond a soft whine.
I pulled out my phone, checking the signal—nothing. The storm had knocked out cell service and power. We were cut off, isolated with a stranger who might or might not be what she seemed.
The bathroom door opened, and Lana emerged, followed by Julia in dry clothes. The young woman looked marginally better—less like a drowned rat and more like an exhausted, frightened human. Her dark hair was wrapped in a towel, and she clutched a blanket around her shoulders.
“Feel any warmer?” I asked as Lana guided her back to the couch.
She nodded, sinking onto the cushions with visible relief. “Much. Thank you both. I don’t know what would have happened if...”
“Don’t think about that,” Lana said, arranging another blanket over her legs. “You’re safe now.”
I watched Julia carefully, searching for any hint that she might be more than a stranded motorist. Her eyes were clear despite her exhaustion, taking in the room with genuine curiosity rather than with calculation, as Margret had.
“So, Julia,” I said, keeping my tone casual, “what brings you out in the middle of a snowstorm?”
“Job interview,” she replied, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “I’m a veterinary technician. There’s a clinic in Pinecrest that’s hiring. I was supposed to meet with them tomorrow morning.” She sighed, looking toward thewindow where snow continued to pile against the glass. “Guess that’s not happening now.”
“Probably not,” I agreed. “Where were you coming from?”
“Colchester. About three hours east of here in good weather.” She glanced between us. “Do you two live here? I wasn’t expecting to find anyone this far out.”
“We do,” Lana answered before I could.
Smart, I thought. Giving enough information to seem cooperative without revealing anything.
“Lucky for me,” Julia said with a weak smile. “Is there any chance I could use a phone? My parents will be worried sick when they can’t reach me.”
“Power’s out,” I said. “And cell service, too. We’re pretty much isolated until the storm passes.”
