“I do agree. What I’m thinking is you, Charles, and I can work and get things set up, laid out. And then we just present it to the girls tomorrow morning.”

“What about that mysterious guest Charles said is coming to the mountain at dawn tomorrow?”

“I guess we deal with it tomorrow morning. The girls are adaptable, you know that. Look at them. They can barely keep their eyes open. I think that once our guests are gone, they’re all going to go to sleep and sleep through the night. Even the dogs are exhausted,” Myra said, pointing to Murphy and Grady, who were stretched out in their dog beds near the hearth.

Myra and Annie were always sad, even gloomy, when it was time for their guests to leave. That day was no different.

Two hours later they watched as everyone pulled on boots and heavy jackets.

Charles appeared with a carton that held thermos bottles full of hot chocolate. “You’ll need it when you get to the bottom of the mountain. More snow is predicted after midnight, so it’s a good thing you’re getting a head start. Please, all of you, drive carefully, and check in when you’re home safe and sound.”

Everyone promised to do so.

Nellie and Elias were the last to leave. Myra hugged her old friend and whispered in her ear. “I know you won’t forget, Nellie, but if you can’t find it, call me. I want to get married in my daughter’s wedding dress. I think…I think she might like to know I’m getting married in her dress. At least I hope so. It was so beautiful, Nellie. All those seed pearls that were hand-sewn.”

“Don’t worry, Myra. When I come up next weekend, I will have it with me.”

“Nellie, if I’m not here, just hang it in your room. We might be…Well, we might be off the mountain, working. I don’t want Charles to know. It’s a surprise.”

“Understood. Thanks for a wonderful weekend. Elias and I will treasure the memory. Stay warm, my friend.”

“You too.”

A last round of hugs and kisses followed. The two dogs slept through the departure. By the time the door closed behind their guests, the girls were making a mad scramble to the living room, where they snatched at pillows and comforters to make nests for themselves.

The moment the table was cleared of the cake plates and cups, the girls were sound asleep.

“The fire will last a good three hours, so I suggest we adjourn to the command center, where I can brief you on our agenda. If we’re to accomplish our goal, we’ll need to stay on a very tight schedule,” Charles told Myra and Annie.