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“I want to be aware of everything.” It was important to Leah that everyone have what they needed. “We could lose the power, and then we’d have to fend for ourselves the old-fashioned way.”

“I heard Cook and Mrs. Astor say that we were well stocked, miss, so don’t be worrying yourself. We have plenty of firewood and lamp oil, as well as coal and candles. We shouldn’t have any trouble at all.”

“Sometimes I think I was silly for insisting all the staff be women. I just didn’t want there to be any problems for the expectant mothers, nor for my staff. Now I fear I’m making you all work much too hard.”

“Not at all. Vera is quite strong, and she used to work in the logging camps. She can fell a tree if need be.” Zelda chuckled. “She’s downstairs right now seeing to the furnace.”

Leah thought of the feisty redhead newly hired by her grandmother once Leah made it clear she wanted only women to work at the house. “Vera is definitely more than capable.”

“We’ll be just fine, Miss Leah. You’ll see.”

As if in challenge, the wind picked up and blew all the harder. Leah shivered. She would have to fetch a sweater to ward off the chill.

Once her hair was styled, Leah headed downstairs to check on breakfast. Mrs. Mackenzie was busy preparing food in the kitchen but gave Leah a nod as she helped herself to the coffee.

“It’s a cold one today, to be sure,” the woman declared as she pulled biscuits from the oven.

“I saw the snow. Must already be another foot on top of what we already had.”

“I thought the same.” Cook nodded toward the icebox. “Cream is still inside if you need it.”

Leah put her cup on the kitchen table and went to get the cream. Just then the phone rang.

“Well, it’s certainly early for a call.” She quickly answered the phone. “Hello, Turner House. Leah Garrison speaking.”

“Hello, Leah. Pastor Breckenridge. Given the conditions outside, I won’t be able to come to your house today for services. I wanted to let you know as soon as possible.”

“I appreciate that, Pastor. I don’t blame you at all for canceling. I can’t even make out the streets or houses near me. It’s definitely not fit for man nor beast.”

“No, indeed. I doubt anyone will venture out for services this morning. We’ll try again next week.”

“Thank you for calling.” Leah replaced the earpiece and turned to explain to Cook. “Well, we won’t need to serve refreshments early this afternoon. Four o’clock as usual will be just fine. Pastor Breckenridge won’t be venturing out.”

“I think it’s wise,” Cook replied. “Folks will be getting stuck all over town. I don’t like automobiles. Give me a good Morgan horse and sleigh during the snowy winter days.”

Leah laughed and poured a liberal amount of cream into her coffee.

“Just leave the cream on the table, miss. I’ll bring it to the dining room for breakfast.”

Sampling her drink, Leah sighed. The warm liquid was already doing much to bolster her spirits. She loved winter, but with a household to run, it did make her consider things differently.

“I’d better see about getting the front shoveled. That’s the only problem with not having a man around to help.” Leah finished her coffee, then headed to the front of the house.

She opened the door to find Erik waving to a sleigh driver from the street. He bounded through the knee-high snow and made his way to the buried steps.

“Do be careful,” she said. “I haven’t had a chance to get out here and shovel the snow.”

“Not a problem. I’ll do it for you. And don’t argue with me and tell me it’s none of my business or concern.” He grinned. “I’m better dressed for it than you are, and I’d hate for you to freeze out here.”

Leah laughed. “I won’t argue with you on the matter. I’d be delighted for you to do the job. I’ll get the shovel; it’s in back.”

“I’ll wait right here.”

She hurried through the house and out to the mudroom off the kitchen. There she found the shovel and brought it to Erik. After leaving him to work, she went in to check on breakfast and tell Cook to set an extra plate for Erik.

By the time the others were starting to gather in the dining room, Erik had finished with the snow and was more than ready to warm up and eat. “Thank you for inviting me to breakfast. I must say that shoveling definitely works up an appetite.”

Leah smiled at his disheveled hair as he removed his hat. “I appreciate having the shoveling done. I was just bemoaning that without a man on staff, we are responsible for such things ourselves.”