“Grandma.” She gently put her hands on Grandma’s shoulders. “Tell me the story about the light on the mountain.”

Something flickered in Grandma June’s eyes. “The light on the mountain?”

“Yes.” Bea took her hand and pulled. In response, Grandma took a faltering step toward the car. “It’s my favorite story. Please, won’t you tell it?”

Grandma’s hair was soaked, her fingers frozen. When Bea saw how badly Grandma was trembling, she quickened her pace.

Grandma allowed Bea to lead her. “But I need to find him. What if he needs me?”

Bea still had no clue who he was, but maybe she could use him to her advantage. “He would want you to tell the story, don’t you think?”

The Toyota came into view, still idling.

Water streamed down Grandma’s face. Bea didn’t know if it was snow or tears. Maybe it was both.

Grandma’s voice was small. “He would’ve liked that story.”

“Who, Grandma?”

“My baby.”

Bea’s forehead wrinkled. “Let’s pretend he’s here. Once upon a time . . .”

They neared the car. Grandma didn’t speak. Bea opened the passenger door and nudged Grandma inside. Her body was shaking too badly to put up a fight. For the first time, Bea wondered how long Grandma could last in these conditions. She’d been so caught up in the drama, she hadn’t noticed how pale Grandma was. How blue her lips.

Bea ran around the car to get in, thankful she’d left it running. It was toasty inside. She jerked the car into drive and hit the gas. The car slid backward. The tires spun uselessly.

“Hot coffee.”

She tried again, but it was pointless. The snow had deepened and was beginning to freeze into ruts the Toyota would never climb out of on its own. Not with its narrow tires and low clearance. It might as well be a toy car.

They needed help. She checked her phone, but it was dead. Nothing drained a phone battery faster than searching for service in the mountains. There was no way to know if her message had gone through.

As the inside of the windows fogged up from their wet clothes, she worried Grandma might make another break for it. But it only took a glance to realize that wasn’t the biggest concern anymore.

“Let’s get you out of that wet coat.” Bea helped Grandma unzip it and pull it off. She needed to keep her awake. “Now, about that story. Once upon a time . . .”

This time a small light appeared in Grandma’s eyes. “Once upon a time, many years ago, there was a man named Miner McGee. He had spent his whole life searching for treasure but never struck it rich.”