night time

outside the window the snow was falling in earnest. no breeze toughed it. it just fluttered to the ground and settled. it was rare that snow fell along the date creek. but when it did it was welcome. as it melted with the sunshine it put moisture in the ground that would help sprout the grass come spring.
 janet was snuggled down deep in the feather bed, 3 warm hand made quilts stacked on top of her. the room was dark with the glow of the propane heater in the corner.turned to its lowest setting  it gave off a red glow, and warmth against the chill of the night. this bed had been her parents bed. it was one way of staying close to them and their memory. as a little girl many mornings she had ran through the house to jump in bed with them and feel the warmth of their love and snuggle down in the feather mattress. this was the only place she felt at home. her small house in town was just that a small house. it was a roof , a place to eat and sleep, but it wasn't home. no matter how hard she worked at making it such. she had a good job in town managing a feed store. and the income was important as the ranch couldn't support them both. but when in town she felt ailien, lonely and out of place. she had been courted by severel young men. she found them attractive and fun for short periods. but always lacking in some way. she always found herself measuring them  against her brother. tho the town cowboys were rodeo hands or had small intrests in livestock, they wernt cowboys in the true sense of the word.  and deep down she knew she wouldn't be happy with anything less.
  outside her window the snow was piling up. inches not feet. she hoped she wouldn't be able to get to the county road. she didn't want to go back to town.