Dad had followed her in the truck until she turned onto Second Street, then continued driving down Highway 288 to the interstate. Bea had turned in her seat to watch as they drove on. Never had Ponderosa seemed so far away.

“Thank the Lord you found your grandma when you did.” Pastor Frank shook his head. He’d been waiting with Jeremy when she arrived, just like Dad predicted. “God was watching out.”

“Yeah.” She stared at the table.

“That God would lead you to be driving way out there at the same time she wandered off . . .” He smiled. “It’s nothing short of a miracle.”

She tried to smile back. It had been bittersweet to come home and find him sitting at their kitchen table. Sweet because he was such a dear old friend with whom she shared many fond memories. Bitter because the last time he’d been in their house was the day of Mom’s funeral.

“I can’t believe they let you drive yourself back.” Jeremy set the hot tea he’d prepared for her on the table near her elbow. “You were in no condition to—”

“I’m fine.” She wrapped her hands around the warm mug. “It was fine. Grandma was the main concern.”

“Well, you’re my main concern.” Jeremy frowned. “Are you sure you’re—”

She shot him a look.

He held up his hands. “Sorry, but I was really worried.”

She took a sip of tea and leaned her arms on the table. When she’d gotten home, it had taken every bit of energy she could muster to change out of her wet clothes and take a hot shower. Jeremy had taken one look at her wet hair and ordered her back upstairs to blow-dry it, as if it would make any difference now. Still, she appreciated his concern.

Her phone rang from where it was charging on the counter. When she moved to stand and grab it, Jeremy held up a hand. “I’ll get it.”

He handed her the phone, and she glimpsed Dad’s name on the screen. “Hi, Dad. Did you make it? How’s Grandma?”

The voice on the other end was crisp and clear, as if an entire mountain didn’t stand between them. “The roads were terrible. Wrecks everywhere, like I figured. But they took her back right away and are giving her fluids and checking everything. She’ll be spending at least one night. Maybe more. That’s all I know right now.”

Jeremy and Pastor Frank leaned toward her, eager for news.

“Did she wake up? Does she feel okay?”

“She woke up all right.” Dad snorted. “Halfway to Ponderosa, she panicked and started screaming about searching for treasure. Then when we tried to get her into a wheelchair to wheel her into the hospital, she sat down on the ground, right in the snow, and refused to move.”