The wind howled outside her door. Hester sat by the fire knitting and praying while she rocked. "Tom should be home by now" she thought. She went to throw another log on the fire but the box was empty. She peered out the window at the swirling snow. It had snowed for days and piled high against the shed where the firewood was stored. She shivered as she donned her bonnet and shawl. Opening the door, she was met by a wall of snow. All she could see was a pair of boots and a hand reaching for the latch.