“That depends,” she said slowly, “on whether he’s still alive.”
A gust of wind slammed down the main road, lifting snow into a swirling curtain. The children huddled closer together.
“What do you mean?” Evelyn asked.
Martha swallowed.
“Mr. Keene lives outside town. Big place up the ridge. Used to be the richest rancher in the county. But folks… well… folks don’t go up there anymore.”
“Why not?” Henry asked.
The woman lowered her voice.
“Because strange things have been happening since his wife died.”
A nervous murmur spread through the children.
Evelyn felt irritation rise through her exhaustion.
Continue on the next page:
