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anyway.”
    “Looks like you had a good harvest this year.”
    “I did.”
    “Just came over to talk to Seth. So, Seth, can you use me for plowing?”
    “Sure. I’ll call you as soon as I have the details. Once the snow stops.”
    “Right. Thanks. Good to meet you, Meg.” He climbed into an ageing pickup truck and pulled out onto the road.
    “I haven’t seen him around before,” Meg said as the truck disappeared. “Which is surprising, since it’s not like there are a lot of people living on this road.”
    “John doesn’t socialize much. He’s having a rough time—he’s got a sick kid, and he just lost his job a few months ago and had to move back in with his mother. I plan to hire him when I need another pair of hands, so you’ll be seeing him here, on and off. And I’ve been throwing what municipal work I can his way, like snowplowing. His wife can’t work because someone’s got to stay home with their child full-time.”
    “Sad,” Meg said.
    “It is. Come on, let’s get out of the weather!”
    “Right behind you.”

4
    Meg followed Seth into the house, and they stripped off their outer clothing, shaking the snow from each piece; it melted quickly on the floor, making puddles. Max was eager to help, and excited about being inside with some of his favorite people. He kept bouncing around their legs, and Meg had to remind herself that Max wasn’t even a year old yet—still a puppy, albeit a large and boisterous one. Lolly watched the scene from atop the refrigerator, keeping out of the fray.
    “So, now what?” Meg asked. “Are you hungry?” She was surprised to see that it was lunchtime already. “I did stock up on staples, so we won’t starve. Oh, except I didn’t think of dog food. Will Max eat cat food?”
    “I can go back and get a bag of kibble.”
    “Seth! You want to go back out in that?” Meg waved out the kitchen window, which showed nothing but white.
    “Why not? It’s daylight, I’ve got the snowshoes, and I know the way. Give me lunch and I’ll be ready to brave the storm.”
    “If you say so,” Meg said dubiously. If it had been up to her, Max would have eaten whatever she could find. “Ham and cheese work for you?”
    “Sounds good.”
    Once lunch was over, Seth donned all the pieces of clothing he had taken off.
    “Are you going to take Max with you?” Meg asked.
    “I don’t think so—he doesn’t have snowshoes, and it’s getting pretty deep out there. Besides, if we got separated, I’m not sure I’d find him again. He’s never seen snow, and I’m sure you’ve noticed he’s easily distracted.”
    Meg conjured up an image of doggie snowshoes and laughed. “He’ll be okay here. Won’t you, Max?” Max responded by drooling on her hand. “How long will you be? Just so I can send out the Mounties when you don’t show up.”
    “This isn’t the Arctic, Meg. I’m walking home and back again. I’ve done it a thousand times, even in the snow. An hour, maybe? I’ve got to make sure my place is secure, too. Don’t worry—I’ll be fine. You’ll be fine. Maybe you should start cooking dinner—that at least will keep the kitchen warm. We’ll wait to build a fire until I get back. Anything else you can think of that we need?”
    “Just you.” As he headed for the door, she grabbed his coat and pulled him back and kissed him.
    When she let him go, he smiled and asked, “What was that for?”
    “I’m sending you off into a howling blizzard in search of dog food, a truly noble calling. Thank you for humoring me about staying here.”
    “Hey, I get it. Although you may find one experiment as Meg Corey, Pioneer Woman, is enough for you.”
    “Take care.” He gave her a salute then strapped on his snowshoes. She watched him as he disappeared into the driving snow—it took him only a couple of seconds to vanish. She turned to the dog. “Well, Max, what shall we make for dinner? How does minestrone sound to you?” Max wagged his tail