Adam flung the door open and came into the house, along with a pile of snow. He closed the door behind him, stomped the snow off his feet, and handed my phone back.
“Sounds like Frank took a fall off his roof when he was clearing the snow. They need help getting him into town, andthey are setting up groups to check on some of the older folks. Said they had already checked on Mom on his way out, and she was doing okay.” His eyes shot to Danny playing with the now-more snow pile, and he frowned as he looked at us both. “They really need my help,” he muttered and trailed his thumb down his jaw.
They needed him, and he needed Danny to be safe. “Go.” I nodded toward the door. “I got Danny. Grab some extra warm clothes though.” I thought about Adam out there in the snow. “And you have to promise you will be careful.” I searched his face.
He closed the distance between us and put his hand on my cheek. “I will. If the power goes out, just grab one of the lanterns, okay?” he whispered, “And stay inside.” I saw how torn he was.
“I will.” I gazed up into his warm brown eyes as he placed his forehead on mine. “Be safe,” I whispered.
Danny came over to give Adam a hug. He must have been nervous. I should have stepped backed and not let Danny see Adam holding me. But all that mattered in that moment was that Adam be careful and return safely back to us.
He squatted down in front of Danny. “Hey, Champ. Frank is stuck in the snow.” He reached up and ruffled Danny’s hair. “Do you think you can stay here and keep Faith safe while I try to help?”
Danny’s eyebrows dipped as he looked toward me. I smiled at him.
“Thanks, Champ.” Adam gave him a quick hug and then stood and squeezed my hand. He ran down to his room, and before I was ready, he was running out the door to go help.
Danny and I walked toward the front window and stared out as Adam hopped into his truck. The tractor had cleared the driveway while he waited.
Adam held up his hand, and Danny and I both waved back. Then he turned and backed out of the driveway.
We both stood there watching the truck for as long as possible.Then I took a deep breath and turned my mind to helping Danny feel comfortable.
“Okay, Danny, do you have a favorite book or board game?”
He shrugged. “I like my tablet.”
“Well, you can show it to me, but some things won’t work without the internet.”
His eyebrows lowered. “Will Dad be okay?” He avoided my eyes. “Can he get hurt too?”
I took a fortifying breath and decided not to give voice to my irrational fears. “I’m sure he will be very careful.” I squeezed Danny’s shoulder. “Now, do you have any two-player games on your tablet?”
We played games on his tablet, watched Frosty the Snowman, drew pictures, and then I taught Danny how to make pancakes.
Time passed achingly slow. My phone vibrated in my pocket, going off over and over.
I must finally have gotten service.
I pulled my phone out and looked through the notifications. It was nine p.m. I checked to see if Adam had sent anything in the hours he had been gone.
Nope. I chewed my lip and went to my other messages.
Marissa: We are safe here! We lost a section of the roof of the gazebo, and there was some damage to the house, but not bad compared to some. I’m glad you are safe. I was so worried you’d driven back and got stuck.
Rose: Stupid storm. Snow’s the worst. Thanks for texting. I was going crazy. The hair salon looked okay from what I could tell.
I hit reply.
Faith: I’m still here with Danny. Adam went with some other guys to help Frank, and then they were checking on people.
Marissa: There is an emergency town meeting tomorrow to assess damages and see who needs what. We offered the community center-11AM.
My stomach dropped as I wondered what destruction the storm had caused. I hoped everyone was okay.
Faith: Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll make sure I’m back for that if not sooner.
Danny was tired, so I helped him get ready for bed. He brushed his teeth, and I helped him find some clean pj’s. After I tucked him in “snug as a bug in a rug,” which was apparently tight all along his body and the way Adam does it, I went to shut off the light.
