The only vehicle parked there was a truck camper with its hood raised, the back door open. The bottom was lit by a flashlight, tools strewn. A man was under it on his back. She could not see his face, but from his position he turned and saw Sam.

“Darn it,” he said, his voice coming up from under his truck. “Miss, I’m sorry if I woke you. I’m having some trouble with my truck.”

“You didn’t wake us.”

“Us?” he said. “I just see you there.”

“We’re out front around the side. I just came around for drinks.”

“Oh, that’s good. I pulled it back here so I wouldn’t disturb anyone while I try to fix this thing. The starter post contacts are loose. They’re hard to reach, and I can’t hold the flashlight at the same time, what with my busted wrist and my wife the way she is.”

That’s a lot of information, Sam thought, wondering what the man looked like. The guy’s chatty. It was then Sam saw the cast on his right hand, sleeved along his forearm.

“Oh. I see. Your wife can’t help?”

“No, miss. She’s asleep inside the camper.” He tapped the side of the truck. “Her medication puts her right out. She’s bad with the cancer. That’s why we’re heading to Boston for treatment. Most our money’s gone on the bills, and with our truck breaking down—I don’t know.” His voice weakened for a second. “I got to get her to Boston if it’s the last thing I do.”

Sam’s mind raced with memories of her mother, her determination to become a doctor, her inclination to pay forward the help she and Kevin had received. She set the two canned sodas down on the pavement and walked to the camper.

“I’ll help you.”

“No, miss, thank you, but I don’t want to trouble you.”

“It’s no trouble.” Sam lowered herself. “Tell me what to do.”

“God bless you.” The man shifted over, extended the flashlight to her. “If you could get down here by me, and—” he tapped a wrench “—aim the light where I’m tapping. Could you do that?”

“Sure.” Sam got down under the truck. It was then she noticed the man’s strong body odor. His tattered clothing. His fingernails—long, dirty and chipped. Feeling sorry for him, she concentrated on her task, directing the light so the metal tool glinted on it. “Here?” she asked.

“That’s perfect,” he said, shifting his body. “Be still. Don’t move.”

Sam heard a grunt, then a swift rush of air before everything went black.

CHAPTER 4

Near the Cold Hollow Mountains, Vermont

Kevin got out of the shower, toweled off, and left the bathroom.

As he pulled on his sweatpants and T-shirt, he was surprised that Sam was not in the room.