“What are you sorry for, Mr.

Ross?” I asked, stepping into the dark entryway.

“Please come inside out of the cold,” he said gently.

The inside of the cabin smelled strongly of stale dust, cold wood ash, and pine.

Most of our family’s old furniture was gone, but the large stone fireplace was still the centerpiece of the room.

Along the back wall, several wooden shelves held tools and hardware boxes.

Leonard closed the heavy front door behind us and turned to face us.