Chapter 8 - UNLOCKING THE EAST WING
The rescue team dug them out thirty minutes later.
When Garrett and Sarah walked back into the warmth of the manor house, covered in dirt and snow, Higgins burst into tears of relief. Penny came running out of the kitchen, throwing her arms around Sarah's legs.
Garrett didn't go to his study that night. He allowed Sarah to bandage the cut on his head, sitting quietly at the kitchen table while Penny brought him a warm cup of broth.
The next morning, the blizzard had passed, leaving behind a world of blinding white snow and clear, pale blue skies.
At ten o'clock, Garrett stood in the hallway of the east wing.
He didn't look like the cold cattle baron anymore. He wore a simple flannel shirt, his dark hair falling naturally across his forehead. He held a brass key in his hand.
Sarah walked up behind him, holding Penny's small hand.
Garrett looked back at them. "Will you help me?"
Sarah nodded gently.
Garrett inserted the key into the lock of his dead son's bedroom, turned it, and pushed the heavy oak doors wide open.
Sunlight flooded into the room through the large windows. Garrett walked inside, stepped up to the lace curtains, and pulled them back, opening the windows to let the fresh, crisp mountain air wash away five years of stale dust and heavy grief.
He walked over to the wooden rocking horse, knelt down beside it, and gently stroked its mane.
Penny stepped into the room slowly. She walked over to Garrett and set her small hand on his knee. "Is this William's room?"
Garrett looked down at the little girl, a genuine, beautiful smile breaking across his face for the first time in five years. "Yes, Penny. This was William's room."
"It's a nice room," Penny said softly. "It has lots of sun."
"It does," Garrett agreed, his voice thick with emotion. He picked up the tiny brass trumpet from the bed and handed it to Penny. "He would have wanted you to play with this."
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Penny took the trumpet, her eyes shining with joy, and blew a tiny, comical TOOT that echoed down the quiet hallway.
Sarah let out a soft laugh, bringing her hand to her mouth. Garrett stood up, walked over to Sarah, and took her hand in his. His calloused fingers intertwined tightly with hers, and for the first time, neither of them looked back.
