The storm broke faster than the forecast dared to predict, a sudden fury that plunged the evening sky into dark. Bethany had just finished stacking another armload of firewood on Richard’s porch when the heavens cracked open. Rain lashed sideways, thunder rolling so low it rattled the windows of the old Victorian next door. Richard, her quiet, silver-haired neighbor of years, appeared at his front door, umbrella in one ha...