Epilogue
Two months later… Joan Dempsey checked her lipstick one last time before tucking her compact into her purse. Careful of the electric cords and light stands, she took a critical look around the lobby at the lodge of Tanner’s Outdoor Adventures. Still decorated for the holidays, though New Year’s was several days ago. The fifteen-foot Christmas tree was lit with tiny lights. There was a fire in the hearth and stockings hung from the mantle. Green garland and red bows ran the length of the banister on the staircase, and the railing on the veranda outside, which overlooked the parking lot that was covered beautifully in ten inches of new snow. Though there were many, not a decoration was out of place, which meant the entire lodge had a lived-in comfortable feeling without being prete
