Snow fell outside the cottage. The horizon, absent cloud cover, rippled with the illuminated curtains of color that were the aurora borealis, the great northern lights. The wind whipped and turned, creating dry snow devils beyond the frosted window panes, and causing the eaves of the cottage to hum in gentle sympathy.
Within the snowbound house, Charlie Boone and his boyfriend, Kippy Lawson sat together on one of two fat, comfortable sofas before a large stone hearth filled with flames. Th