“You can mention your parents without resentment taking over. You’ve come a long way in forgiving them.”
“Like Archer told me, it’s a process, but I’m trying.” He shifted his gaze over the front yard. “I think we’re done. The others have gone in.”
“I know we need access to the front exit, but a part of me wishes we didn’t have to disturb the snow. It’s so much prettier when it’s untouched.” She gave a parting glance down the street, to where the snow still lay unmoved. She locked the memory in her head and went inside.
She shed her outermost layers by the door so she wouldn’t track the snow and water through the bed and breakfast. Mrs. Addy had set out old metal folding chairs on top of trash bags and ordered that everyone coming in from the snow discard their wet clothes there. When the power came back on, she’d throw it all in the dryer.
Landon laid out his coat over a chair, along with his scarf, gloves, and borrowed snow pants. “I’m going to check on coffee. Want any?”
“Yes, please.” She pointed to her feet. “I’m running upstairs for dry socks. Keeping the snow out of my boots didn’t work as planned.”
She ran upstairs and changed her pants and socks, added her old lady slippers to the outfit. While she was up there, she grabbed her phone and turned it on. To conserve her battery, she’d kept it powered off—after letting her mom know so she wouldn’t worry if her call went straight to voicemail.
Holding her phone, she waited a minute before making a call to see if any messages popped up. One from Rachel checking in, and Jessa typed a quick reply letting her know everyone at Addy’s was fine and surviving without power. Her boss, the board president, sent her an email that today counted as a paid day off.
Not that she would have gone in regardless. The walk to her office was very short, but trampling through three feet of snow to get to an office without power while the wind still blew and precipitation fell? Not worth it. She would have used a vacation day if it had come to that.
No word from Trixie. Where was she? Had it snowed where she stayed?Protect her, please, Lord. I love my sister, and I know You love her infinitely more. Wherever she is, give her warmth and a full stomach, and may she know she always has a home here. She prayed for her brother, as well. The prison had generators so Hunter wouldn’t be without power or warmth. It was a small comfort as she envisioned her brother in a stark cell.
She called her parents’ landline, but no one answered. Had they lost power too? If so, their cordless phones wouldn’t work. Dad reasoned they had cell phones to use if the power ever went out. She’d gently reminded him even cell phones needed electricity to charge the battery, but he hadn’t been concerned.
Let’s put him to the test. She called Dad’s cell phone, surprised he answered on the first ring.
“How’d you fare last night?” he asked.
“Good. A little on the cold side, but we made it. How about you? Did you lose power?”
“We made it until midnight, then it cut out. We’re all gathered in the living room now, soaking in the warmth of the fireplace.”
“Phoebe’s still there?” She caught a glimpse of her hair in the mirror and scowled at the messy hat hair.
“Yes. She made us a delicious breakfast of cereal and milk this morning.” Three different tones of laughter came through the phone from Dad’s side.
Jessa chuckled too. “That is her specialty.”
“For lunch, she said it’s her other one—peanut butter and jelly.”
“Sounds delicious.” Jessa smiled, savoring those moments of humor from her father. It was a glimpse of the old him, and she cherished it. “I won’t keep you long, but call me later if you can, let me know you’re okay.”
“You do the same. I love you.”
The call ended. Jessa stood from her bed and pulled out the elastic ponytail holder. She brushed her hair and refashioned it into a neater ponytail. Semi-satisfied, she went downstairs, stopping first in the kitchen to find Landon.
He wasn’t there, nor was he in the library.
Mrs. Addy came out of the game room, holding April’s hand. “We’re going to make cookies by candlelight. Would you like to join us?”
“Maybe in a few minutes. Have you seen Landon?”
“He’s in my office.” She nodded in the direction of that room. “Another call came through, and I told him he could use it for privacy.”
“Thanks.” She went to the door and stood still for thirty seconds. Did she knock and interrupt or wait for him out here? She went with her instinct to knock.
A broad grin spread from cheek to cheek when he opened the door. “We have a baby. A little boy.”
“Aww. That was quick.”
“She was further along in labor than anyone realized.”
