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Still exploring, she walked back down the hallway The door to John’s roohty, she opened the door and stepped into the room

Having uessed what his bedroom would be like It was spare and plain, the double bed neatly e map of Alaska was thumbtacked to one wall A lamp, a book, and a clock radio rested on a bedside table The only other ornaraph that sat atop the bureau opposite the bed Walking closer, she saw that it was a picture of ablack-haired toddler in his arms Behind them, Emma could just make out the lower part of a totem pole

Had the other bedroom been ly?

Who was he? What had become of him? She could ask John But she sensed that the answer to that question was painful and deeply personal She would be wise not to mention it

She’d just left the roo from the front of the house She crept forward, her heart pounding So on the door but buined Boone, piling wood onto the porch, preparing to set it on fire and burn down the house

Her shaking hand found the pistol and thu open the door and shoot whoever was on the other side? Maybe But she’d never fired a gun before What if she ht be best to keep quiet and wait

Crouching behind the love seat, she rested the muzzle on the back, aimed the pistol at the front door, and held it steady In the silent room, she could hear her own heartbeat and taste her own fear

CHAPTER 4

Still crouched behind the love seat, with the pistol aimed at the door, E struck the porch with a sharp thu sound After a , his key turned in the lock

She rose, still gripping the gun, as the door opened John stood on the threshold, a shopping bag slung over his ar “Put that pistol down before you blow a hole in me,” he said

Knees weakening with relief, Eun

“Are you all right?” he asked, stepping inside

“Fine! Just scared out of un on the side table “What just happened out there?”

“Just a blasted bear on the porch Probably s I threw a chunk of firewood at him, and he took off”

“A bear?” Eave way She sank onto the arer?”