It was three in the afternoon; he and the Kellys had been outside for only one-and-a-half hours, but he’d never felt so cold before, either. He’d found them about twenty minutes after separating from Eliza. Fortunately, they hadn’t yet reached the avalanche zone, but they’d run into trouble when Sydney fell off the path face-first into a tree well. The depressions that formed around trees in a snow pack were dangerous places. Marshall knew of experienced skier who had suffocated in similar situations. Her husband had been trying to release her skis when Marshall arrived, while Sydney was almost hysterical with panic. He’d pulled out the portable shovel from his pack and quickly had her out, but she was unable to bear weight on one of her ankles. It had been too cold for a full exam, but Marshall suspected she’d suffered a bad sprain. He and Jason had been supporting her weight between them, walking slowly back toward the lodge, when, like an angel, Griff had appeared with the skidoo.
