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“I hope so,” Kevin says. “It’s already getting late, so I can’t get all the way up there. I’ll have to come up here anyway tomorrow in case it snows again tonight.”
“It doesn’t look like it will,” I say.
Kevin wipes his forehead. “It took Cal and me four hours to get the path cleared down the passage all the way to Wishing. I didn’t realize how many of you guys live up here in the mountains.”
Our conversation is briefly interrupted by Susan’s arrival. “Oh, who’s this?”
“Hey,” Susan says shyly. “I’m Susan.”
Kevin’s eyes shift toward Susan, his expression filled with curiosity. He tilts his head slightly and asks, “So, is Susan a guest here? I’m pretty sure I would have remembered a pretty face around here.”
Susan blushes. “Are all of you guys here such smooth talkers?”
Kevin chuckles. “Can’t speak for others, but I sure am.” He gets this knowing look on his face, and I wonder if he can tell something is up between Susan, Ollie, Ed, and me.
I don’t know how we’re going to go about telling people—well, whatever this is. I know the lines are blurred, especially since the three of us are brothers.
My brothers and I exchange glances, our eyes conveying a silent understanding. Ed takes the lead, responding to Kevin’s inquiry. “Yes, she is,” he confirms with a smile. “Susan got snowed in with us during the storm.” That’s the safest answer for now. Kevin will probably have some questions later.
“Well, it’s always nice to have new faces around. Welcome to our little slice of winter paradise,” he says, his tone warm and welcoming.
Susan returns the smile, grateful for Kevin’s friendly reception. “Thank you for coming up here,” she replies. “I know it’s a difficult job. We were beginning to wonder when we’d be able to venture out again.”
My gaze cuts to her. She sounds insincere for some reason. Is Susan not happy the snowstorm has ended? What is that about?
“Just doing my job, really,” he says modestly. “But I’m glad I could be of help. And here—I got some things for you. I know you guys must be low on ration right now, and it’s too late to be making your way down in your car.”
Kevin returns with a couple bags filled with groceries, a warm smile on his face. “Here you go, folks,” Kevin says cheerfully. “I brought you some essentials and a few treats. Figured you might be running low on supplies after being snowed in.”
“Thank you so much, Kevin. This is really kind of you.”
Kevin chuckles. “No problem at all,” he replies. “Glad I could help out. Winter storms can be tough, but it’s moments like these that bring us all closer together.”
“It’s a lot,” Ed says with a little shake of his head.
“It’s the least I could do. Neighbors help each other, right?”
Ollie slaps Kevin on his arm. “We owe you one.”
“I don’t think so,” Kevin says. “You would have done the same for me and my daughter if the situation ever arose.”
As Kevin glances around, his gaze falls on Susan’s car, parked nearby in the snow. He furrows his brow, concern evident on his face. “Has that been sitting out here through the snow?”
“Yeah, couldn’t do much about it. I can’t exactly move it.”
“What’s wrong with your car, Susan?” he asks, his voice laced with genuine worry.
She looks at Ed for a few seconds, then lets out a sigh and gestures toward the vehicle. “The tires are busted,” she explains.
“All four of them?” Kevin asks. “How did that happen?”
“Hit a few bumps,” Susan says. It’s such a terrible excuse, and of course, Kevin doesn’t look like he believes her at all.
“I see. Well, I have a tow truck, and I could bring it down to the town for you. There’s a reliable mechanic there who could take a look.”
Surprise flickers across Susan’s face as she processes Kevin’s offer. “Are you serious?”
Kevin nods. “Yeah, it’s no trouble at all.”
