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"After rescuing me in the middle of the night? It was inconvenient, to say the least."

"I imagine he was a little grumpy at first. But he cools off quickly, always does. I've known him since he was a toddler. He's a caretaker. Always has been. There isn't anyone in this town he hasn't helped at some point or another."

"Yeah, but I'm a stranger."

"No matter," said Marge. She had been listening while gathering staples for Alec's pantry. As she entered, Buddy went into the stockroom, as if they were tag-team personal shopping for him.

"Ever since he lost Brett, he's put his energy into helping others."

She stopped for a minute as if her thoughts had been interrupted. Alec picked up on this.

"I see," said Alec. "Tyler's a widower."

"Lost Brett to cancer five years ago," said Buddy, returning and handing Alec a very sporty looking downed jacket, black with blue stripes.

"Wow. I was expecting something a little more rustic."

"This will keep you warm, for trips on the Titan out there. Now, undergarments and socks…" he said, trailing off as he exited again.

"Brett was everything to Tyler," Marge continued. "He hasn't been the same since."

"That's sad."

"Yes…" she said, drifting a bit. "It is."

"If there's anything I need that maybe I don't know about…"

"We'll get you taken care of, sweetie," she said, awakened from her reverie. "Now, what do you like that we mightnotknow about?"

He looked at the liquor bottles on the shelf behind her, then thought better. Every minute he spent drinking would take him away from writing.

"Chocolate."

She winked. "Well, we have plenty of that."

Buddy returned. He swapped places with her while she collected some sweets for Alec. "Tyler

says you're a writer. Have you written anything I'd know? I'm a big reader."

Alec smiled, a little uncomfortably. "Probably not. I write a weekly column forThe WashingtonPost. Local humor mostly."

"I'm a John Sanford fan myself."

"So was my Dad."

"He writes a great book."

"I'm working on a book. But it's nonfiction. That's why I'm here."

"Kinda figured. Tyler said you got the cabin indefinitely."

"I'm hoping to be done and back in Washington by Christmas."

"Five weeks? That's pretty fast."

"Cross your fingers."

He finished bagging the clothing, handing Alec a pair of gloves. "You'll need these for the trip back."