“And you’re going to bring them butter tarts?” Eve was teasing, but when Pearl didn’t even crack a smile, she understood that the situation was serious.

“I don’t know if it will be any help, or if they’ll even be able to stop long enough to eat, but I want to bring some coffee—I got it made just before the power went out. It’s freezing out there.”

“Of course. The car’s out back.”

As they inched down Main Street, she started to get scared. For themselves—visibility was down to nothing as rain lashed against the windshield harder and faster than the wipers could deal with—but also for whoever was down at the lake.

“What kind of rescue is happening?” She had to shout to be heard over the pounding of the rain.

“There’s a boat out on the lake, and apparently its engine gave up.”

“Who would go out on a boat in this?”

“The world is full of people with questionable levels of intelligence.”

When they got to the little beach, Eve started to get really nervous. Giant waves that looked like they belonged in National Geographic lashed the shore, and the rain was starting to turn to ice. There were two ambulances and several Ontario Provincial Police vehicles parked on the street. Their flashing lights threw out eerie bursts of color in the unrelenting rain.

“Looks like OPP marine units out there.” Pearl pointed to the lake, where just barely visible was a big boat with flashing lights that seemed to be anchored and a smaller speedboat coming in to shore. “And Jake,” Pearl added, and sure enough, Jake’s boat was coming in, too, trailing the speedboat.

“Is that Sawyer on Jake’s boat with him?” Or, no, he was actually hopping out of the boat and into the water.

Pearl wasn’t looking anymore; she was unloading the coffee urn from the back seat. “Probably. OPP has jurisdiction in the water, but Sawyer will be here somewhere.”

Eve, trying to keep an eye on Sawyer, helped Pearl set up the coffee on the trunk of the car and held her umbrella over it. One of the EMTs came over and gratefully accepted a cup.

“What happened?” Eve asked.

“A small cruise ship got stuck about a mile out.” He shook his head. “OPP and this guy”—he jerked his thumb toward Jake’s boat—“have been shuttling people in.”

“Is everyone okay?”

“So far. Some mild hypothermia and a nasty shoulder dislocation in the first batch. We’re waiting for the next group.”

“But what about the lightning?” Eve was feeling increasingly frantic. “It can’t be safe for people out there. The rescuers are putting their own lives at risk.”

The EMT shrugged. “Part of the job. Someone has to save these idiots from themselves.”

“Todd! The last group is on its way!”