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said, that could heal Frank and help him to get on with his life.
    He didn't believe a word of it, but what the hell? He'd tried everything else, and since he'd had to call for another surgeon to take over for him during two heart surgeries last week, he knew it was past time to kill the demons that haunted him. If it meant putting an end to the ever-present sound of the screeching of tires, the crunching of metal, and the echo of Sandy's screams, and the nights when he awoke bathed in a cold sweat to a room filled to overflowing with despair, loneliness, and self-loathing, then he'd be a fool not to try it. If gaining that end meant giving Steve the benefit of the doubt, then so be it.
    Steve had told him of his trip to this special place and that it helped him understand his role as a pediatric oncologist and the loss of young lives with which he had to contend almost on a daily basis. If it could bring Steve the same kind of peace of mind, then maybe, just maybe, there was hope for him, as well.
    He shivered and glanced at his watch and realized time had gotten away from him. He should have been here an hour ago. With the lousy road conditions from the blizzard that had covered the southern part of New York State the night before and all day today, and with the heavy holiday traffic, he should have left earlier. But he didn't, and he knew why. Afraid to acknowledge the false hope it might give him, he had put this off as long as he could.
    Resignedly, Frank opened the car door and climbed out. He made his way toward the front porch. The freshly fallen snow crunched under his boots. As though his feet contained lead weights, he slowly climbed the steps until he reached the porch and stood outside the rough-hewn door. He stomped the snow off his feet, then raised his hand and knocked.
    Moments later, Meghan and Steve stood in the open doorway, welcome written all over their faces. The enticing aromas of cinnamon, new pine, and freshly baked cookies wafted out to greet him. A crackling fire spread homey warmth through the room, warmth that reached out and beckoned to him to come inside.
    Steve wrapped his arm around his wife and smiled. "We were beginning to think you wouldn't make it."
    Frank leaned against the door frame and stared at his closest friend, uncertain whether or not he should go inside. "I almost didn't. I still don't see what all this is going to accomplish." He glanced around him at the very ordinary-looking cabin. "This cabin may have been the thing that brought you back to life, but I think I'm beyond resurrecting."
    "It was not the cabin, but what is out there," Steve said, motioning with his free hand toward the thick wall of trees surrounding the cabin. "And no one is beyond resurrecting, my friend. This place will teach you that, if you let it." Steve snuggled Meghan closer to his side. "There's a miracle waiting for you there. All you have to do is open your heart to it."
    Miracles. Hogwash .
    Perhaps because his sentiments had been written plainly on his face for her to see, Meghan smiled at her husband, then at Frank. "Faith and trust, Frank, that's all you need."
    As he looked at the two of them, a painful twinge squeezed Frank's heart. He remembered when Sandy had smiled up at him like that, her beautiful blue eyes full of adoration and trust. Trust . The word lay heavy on his conscience, and though he hadn't spoken it aloud, bitterness filled his mouth. His shoulders slumped. Sometimes he felt as though they bore the weight of a thousand tons of lead. How misplaced Sandy's trust had been, and he'd proven that to her in the worst way possible.
    Resigned, Frank stepped into the light just beyond the threshold.
    Steve's expression told him how terrible he looked. He wasn't stupid, and he'd seen his own reflection in the mirror that morning. He knew lines etched his face, he had dark circles rimming his eyes, his mouth had forgotten how to smile, and his mismatched clothes bespoke how little attention