snowplows working along the interstate. Joe hit the mute
button.
“Good Lord,” he said, staring at Judith. “Why didn’t you
tell me?”
Judith sank down next to him on the couch. “I started to,
then I lost my nerve. You sounded so grumpy.”
“I was.” Joe put an arm around Judith. “It was a rough
weekend. But not as rough as yours.”
“They forgot Barry.” Judith bit her lip and pointed at the
silent TV.
“Barry?”
“The staff clerk, the body we found by the creek. Killegrew
killed him, too.”
“Jeez.” Joe shook his head. “Want to make us a couple of
drinks and tell me all about it?” He indicated his soaking
feet. “I’d do it, but…”
Judith grinned. “Yes, you would. You’re not like some
men, who have to be waited on.” She got up to fetch their
nightcaps.
They had finished their drinks by the time Judith got to
the part about Mike’s unexpected arrival. Naturally, Joe was
astonished.
“Mike and Kristin got their transfer midweek,” Judith explained. “Because of all the snow and avalanche danger in
the pass, they were shipped out of Idaho right away. They’ll
both be working in the national park, just an hour away.
Isn’t that wonderful?”
“It’s great,” Joe enthused. “You see, Jude-Girl? You
worry about all kinds of things that don’t happen.”
“I know.” Judith snuggled against Joe. “I worried tonight
I wouldn’t get home, but the driving wasn’t bad at all. Of
course the rangers who brought us home knew what they
were doing. The worst part was when we got to Heraldsgate
Hill. We came up on the north side, to drop Renie off first.
That’s much easier than coming up the south side. It’s so
steep. The only problem is, Renie tried to drive the Chev.”
“I thought she didn’t drive in snow,” Joe said.
“She doesn’t. The Chev’s piled into a gas station pump at
the summit. I’m afraid it’s totaled. Bill will be awfully upset.”
Joe grimaced. “I don’t blame him. I remember when you
ran your Nissan into the wall at Falstaff’s Grocery.”
“Maybe Bill won’t retire, now that they have to get a new
car,” Judith mused. “Have you thought any more about it?”
Joe gave a single nod. “Sure. I’m not changing my mind.
Bill won’t either. Hell, we’ve both earned retirement. Why
not?”
Judith started to say something, nebulous thoughts about
financial uncertainty, changes in lifestyle, the future of the
B&B—but she kept silent. Joe and Bill looked forward to
