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The first thing he realized was that there wasn't much temperature difference inside and out.

"The cabin has electric heat," said the man, crossing to the thermostat. He flicked a switch and the lights blinked briefly before the rumbling sound of the heat kicked on. "It'll warm up soon, but you'll want to keep a fire going when you're here. That way it won't run continuously."

Alec looked at the fireplace. It was rustic but clean, a fresh stack of wood lay in there as if a

hotel valet had left it there for the next lodger…in 1997, perhaps.

"My name is Tyler, by the way." He placed his hat on the table, then removed his gloves and scarf and did the same. He stuck out his hand.

Alec turned from the fireplace to face him. The man was older than he had expected. His dark

buzzed hair and beard scruff speckled with a little gray.But he's handsome,Alec thought—a westernwriter's fantasy.

"Alec." He took Tyler's hand in his. The man's grip was large, firm, and warm.

"Sorry if I was a little blunt out there. The cold makes me irritable."

Alec, a little mesmerized by the man's rugged good looks, said nothing.

Tyler smiled, pulling his hand from Alec's frozen grip. "Let's get you warmed up." He went to a linen closet outside the bedroom and grabbed a blanket. With the grace of a matador, he flung it open and wrapped Alec in it, pulling the corners down like a cape over his shoulders. Alec took the

woolen fabric into his hands gratefully, closing himself tight within.

Tyler walked over to the refrigerator and opened it. "You're going to have to get some groceries tomorrow. Nothing in here but a jar of pickles. When was the last time you ate?"

"At the airport… in DC."

"Well, you're going to be a hungry puppy until then. Buddy's Bodega in town will have

everything you need. They're open at eight."

"In the morning?" Alec asked.

Tyler stared with a gradual nod. "Uh, yeah."

Alec spun slowly around in his blanketed shawl, taking in the place. Tyler continued to

investigate, opening cabinets and closet doors. "This pantry has a few appliances… like a toaster, and an electric griddle."

"Griddle?"

Tyler either ignored or didn't hear him, walking through a door off of the kitchen. "And there's a washer and dryer back here. You'll need to get some detergent though, only enough for a couple of

loads."

Alec continued to look around. The place wasn't as bad as he had expected, he was just dazed

and weary from the trip.

Tyler walked briskly past him, picking up a clunky remote control from the coffee table. He

pointed it at the old console television by the fireplace. There was a flash, and the screen gradually glowed from black to gray, to pink, to a muted color. "TV works… Now, what am I forgetting?"

Alec stared at him as if awaiting instruction. All he wanted to do was crawl into bed so that he

could wake up in DC.

"Oh, the generator. I need to show you where it is and how to turn it on."