In these freezing temperatures, so much was ruined. Food had frozen solid. Meats like pork, beef, and lamb could be thawed and cooked, but what about vegetables? Seafood? Fruits?

That made Ray's fresh supplies a true rarity—a treasure no one else could provide.

Even those who normally carried themselves with a hint of pride—Heather, Cassandra, and Katie—couldn't help but soften slightly toward him, their affection quietly deepening.

But dinner hadn't even begun when the walkie-talkie suddenly