Nature does not care about human independence, and it will freeze the blood in your veins just to see if your grand ideas can survive a real winter.
The frost on the windows of the harbor master office was thick, forming sharp patterns that completely blocked out the view of the churning grey sea. Outside, a severe Arctic blast howled across the Scottish coast, bringing a freezing wind that had already dumped three feet of heavy snow across the highlands. Sarah Vance stood next to a large iron woodstove in the center of the room, rubbing her hands together to keep them warm as the building groaned under the pressure of the gale.
"The radio reports from the mainland are completely grim, Ethan," Sarah said, her voice tight with immediate concern as she looked toward her brother. "The main
