How would a large group of strangers react if they were forced to spend several days together, like during a blizzard? Karen Belton, a recent widow, and her seven-year-old son Charlie are driving into the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado to spend a day or two at Log Lodge. The snow and wind begin mid-morning, instead of the forecast report that it would be much later in the day. She has a challenging drive through the heightening storm. When they arrive, they are helped into the lodge by managers Sam and Ollie. Inside they face a beautiful brick fireplace burning brightly and many people milling around. An emergency arises almost immediately and Karen, who is an RN, jumps in to supervise. The day continues with another emergency and an unpleasant encounter. In all, there are 34 guests, including nine children. By evening, guests are mingling. Most are friendly, some are misfits. They settle in for the duration. There is sufficient congeniality that plans are made to have a reunion at the lodge the following year. When the storm moves out, departure is delayed. A mystery has raised its ugly head.
Karen and Charlie arrive at their destination in Aurora and settle into their new life. Karen is a nurse at Children's Hospital. The normalcy that she seeks takes many turns: friendships and heartbreak, happiness and horror. Her haven is Charlie's great-grandparents' ranch on the Eastern Plains of Colorado, where they visit several times during the year. Without a warning, the mystery that started at Log Lodge erupts during the year and a few innocent guests are at the center with no clue as to how they got there. Many attend the March reunion, arriving with a few surprises. In the evening they gather in the large lounge that was the gathering spot the year before. After each guest relates a highlight from his or her year, Sam lays out the details of the mystery. The revelation is astounding and emotional.
This is the book I'm currently reading on my Kindle. Below is the city hall of my town (University City) lit up in the colors of the Ukraine flag in solidarity with Ukraine.
2 comments:
Oh, the Ukraine situation is just devastating. It's nice to see all the support they are getting around the world, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on Putin.
I'm very sad about the whole Ukraine situation. I can't hardly believe that Putin would do such a thing. I hope that everything resolves itself soon and that people there can put their lives back together.
Happenstances sounds very intriguing.
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