One freight driver made a cruel remark about her size.
The widow immediately told him he could eat elsewhere.
A miner laughed when the woman asked for a stronger chair.
The blacksmith who witnessed it offered to build one.
The woman thanked him.
Slowly, she began feeling as though the mountains might become home.
Then winter arrived earlier than expected.
A violent storm swept across the region.
The creek flooded during a brief thaw, then froze again.
Several freight routes closed.
The boardinghouse struggled to obtain supplies.
And one evening, a group of armed men arrived demanding rooms that had already been reserved.
Their leader was a wealthy-looking traveler in a dark coat.
He spoke as though everyone should recognize his importance.
When the widow explained there were no empty rooms, he became furious.
He accused her of disrespect.
Threatened to have her business closed.
And demanded that she remove several paying guests to accommodate his party.
The widow refused.
The men began shouting.
The woman stepped from the kitchen.
She was wearing a plain blue work dress and a white apron.
Her hands were dusted with flour.
"What seems to be the problem?"
The wealthy traveler stared at her.
Then laughed.
"Good Lord. Did the boardinghouse hire a circus attraction?"
Several men joined his laughter.
The woman felt the familiar sting.
But she didn't lower her eyes.
"The rooms are occupied, sir."
He smirked.
"And who asked you?"
She remained calm.
"The owner asked me to help manage the guests."
The man stepped closer.
"Then manage yourself back into that kitchen."
The widow appeared beside her.
"Sir, I won't tolerate that language."
He ignored the widow.
Instead, he reached toward the counter and grabbed the room ledger.
"Let's see who deserves to stay."
The woman immediately stepped forward.
"Please put that down."
He laughed.
"What are you going to do about it?"
Before she could answer, a deep voice came from the doorway.
"Put the book back."
The room fell silent.
A giant stood beneath the entrance.
He wore a heavy wolf-fur coat over a dark shirt.
Snow covered his broad shoulders.
His thick hair was windblown, and a long scar marked one side of his face.
His pale-blue eyes were fixed on the man holding the ledger.
The traveler turned.
Then stopped smiling.
The giant took one step into the room.
"I said put it back."