The smell of freshly brewed coffee beckoned me from a deep sleep. I climbed out of bed and looked out the bright bedroom window—at least a foot of snow had fallen while I slept.

The white snow on the rolling hills glistened like a billion little diamonds in the morning sun. I had never known that snow could be so breathtaking.

I got dressed and walked toward the kitchen in search of Luke.

A new fire burned in the fireplace and a noise was coming ...