Page 58 of Royal Academy

“Go?” Benedict frowned, “You can’t leave in a storm like this.”

Sally’s smile broadened, “I have the snowmobile out back, shouldn’t have any trouble getting back to my place. They called me to come out here because I was the closest to such a remote location.”

“How far is your place?” Lia asked as she took off her coat and hung it near the door.

The fire was providing a nice haven against the early winter chill.

“About a mile as the crow flies,” Sally answered. “I stocked your larder as best I could on such short notice. I can bring more supplies when the storm lets up.”

“I don’t want you traveling in that storm,” Benedict was staring out the window. It was hard to make out even the car from the cabin.

“Oh, I will be fine!” Sally insisted.

A large crack sounded in the distance.

“Oh, shit,” Sally breathed.

“What was that?” Lia asked moving into Nick’s arms.

“It was either a tree coming down or it could be an avalanche.”

Benedict steadied himself on the wall, “Did you say Avalanche?”

Sally nodded, “Well, yeah, it’s where the snow slides…”

“I know what an avalanche is,” Benedict bit off.

“Maybe I will stay and wait out the storm,” Sally bit her lip. “I’m sorry to be a bother.”

“Nonsense,” Lia smiled at the girl, “Why don’t we sit down and get warm? I would love to learn how to use that lamp.”

Sally nodded, “Sure, what is it Y'all do?”

Lia went to open her mouth when Benedict jumped in again, “We are educators.”

Lia gaped at him.

That was a bald face lie. Sure, she and Nick had worked at the Royal Academy, but Benedict had never taught anyone anything in his life.

Sally smiled, “Education is a proud and noble profession. Y’all are so fancy I almost thought I was in the midst of royalty.

Nick choked on a cough, “Nope, just regular old teachers here.”

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