Page 57 of Royal Academy

Lia picked up a pillow from off the bed and tossed it at Benedict. “I am the only sister you have ever had.”

Benedict grinned, “Well, then it goes to show that I was right.”

Lia rolled her eyes dramatically before winking at the girls. They dissolved into giggles.

Nick closed the latches on Lia’s suitcase, “We are ready, my things are already loaded into the car.”

**

The flight was a long one, thank heavens they were flying private and were able to sleep a little bit. By the time the arrived at the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge airport they were tired and a little sick of each other.

“I didn’t seem as busy when we were younger,” Lia wrinkled her nose as they drove through the town where mini-golf and go-cart tracks seemed to litter every corner.

“Do you really expect to not be recognized here?” Nick’s tone was skeptical.

Benedict shook his head, “The cabin is in a remote location. As far as I know, there is only one other cabin within a mile of it. And I already arranged for the cleaners to go out this morning and freshen things up. They should have stocked the pantry as well.”

They drove the rented four-wheel drive up the canyon and away from all of the tourists. It was amazing to see the Smokey Mountains in all their beauty. The wildlife was abundant, they saw several foxes and even what looked like a moose.

The snow began to accumulate as they drove deeper into the forest. GPS only worked for so long before they needed to resort to other methods. The map helped them stay on course but driving was a bit treacherous at times.

At long last, they saw the flickering lights in the distance and knew that we were close. It was at that moment when the SUV began to slip, even in four-wheel drive. The roads were snow covered and it looked like they wouldn’t be able to pull it out of the slide, but eventually, they did.

By the time they pulled up to the cabin everyone was on edge. The storm had become something of a white-out and they struggled to get their luggage from the car to the front door.

Benedict went to unlock the cabin and found that the front door was left open. With a wary feeling, he opened the door and called out.

“Is anyone here?”

A pretty dark-haired girl was lighting another lamp when she suddenly whirled around.

“Gracious! You scared the tar out of me!”

Benedict was transfixed. He started at the curvy woman who was standing there in black yoga pants and a sweatshirt that read, ‘Maids for Hire.’

Lia shoved Benedict into the room, tired of standing out in the cold and Nick soon followed.

“Are you the maid?” Benedict asked and then immediately felt like an ass. He could read.

Her brows rose, “Not from ‘round here are you? That is quite an accent. Are you English?”

Nick took a step forward to introduce himself, but Benedict was faster.

“Erm, we are from across the pond. I’m Ben, this is my mate Nick and my sister Lia.”

‘Ben?’ Lia mouthed to Nick who shrugged helplessly.

The girl blushed, “It’s nice to meet Y'all. I’m Sally Leanne but most folks just call me Sally. I was just finishing up the place when the power went out. I started a fire in the stove and lit your lanterns, but I’m afraid because of the storm you may not have electricity for a few days.”

“The stove?” Lia asked faintly.

Sally motioned over to the fireplace where a roaring fire was happily blazing. “I lit the main fireplaces and then the pot belly stove in the kitchen just in case you wanted to cook anything. Do you know how to use a kerosine lamp?”

“A what?” Lia croaked.

Sally smiled kindly, “You folks really aren’t from the Smokies. It’s just a lamp run on kerosene.”

Nick looked pale, “Would you show us how to use that before you go, Sally?”

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