"Hello?  Hello? Anyone in there?"  

The shout brought Joe Hardy out of his light doze. "Hey," he said, nudging his brother.  "There's someone out there.  Help's arrived."  

"Wha?" Frank was immediately awake. "Great! Wait here. I'll be right back."  Ignoring Joe's exasperated snort, he was out of the car and heading up the small embankment.  Just before he made the top, a wrinkled but strong hand reached out to take his.  

"Let me help you there, fella." With surprising ease, the old man practically lifted Frank from the gully to the road.  "Nearly missed seeing your car in that ditch. This road can be a little hazardous at night when the fog comes in.  'Specially in the fall with the leaves covering it."  

"Well, it wasn't exactly…"  

The old man stopped Frank with a laugh.  "Now, where are my manners? Name's Benjamin Elderbridge.  Ben."  He extended his hand. "You're not hurt anywhere are you, son?"  He took an ancient and battered Stetson from his head and nervously wiped the inside of the brim with a hankie before putting it back on.  "It's not a deep ditch, but you coulda hurt yourself, jus' the same."  

"No, I'm fine, Mr. Elderbridge, but my brother..." Frank turned to look back at the car.  

"Lordy, you mean there's someone else in there? An' we been standin' here jawin'?" The farmer was already halfway down the slope with Frank following close behind.  "Needs help, does he?"  

But, Joe, who had been listening to the conversation, was already out of the car and making his way around to the other side.  

"Oh my, boy, looks like you got yourself some trouble, there," Elderbridge clucked as he looped an arm under Joe's shoulders to help him up the hill.  "Not to worry, though, the missus is as good as any doctor in these parts.  She's been mendin' broken bones an' fixin' hurts probably for longer than you been born."  

"No, it's okay, we don't want to impose." Joe was trying his best not to lean heavily on the older man.  He towered over him and was sure that he must have outweighed him by at least twenty pounds. But the arms that were supporting him were deceptively sturdy.  "Maybe if you could just help us get the car out of the ditch?"  

"I can do better than that," Elderbridge averred, "I can take you back to my place an' get you and your brother somewhere nice and warm to rest. Sada'll have a peek at your leg, too." Reaching the top of the incline, he released his hold on the younger Hardy and gave both boys a large gap-toothed smile.  "'Less, of course, you rather I take you back into town to see the doc there."  Noticing the uneasy looks on the faces of the brothers, he nodded.  "I see that you two already been to town.  Can't say as I blame you for not wanting to go back straightaway.  Affects most folk that way." Putting his hand on his hip, he gestured to his truck with the other.  "So whatcha say, boys? Does my Sada get the chance to fuss over you two or would you like a lift back to town?"  

Frank glanced at his brother before answering, catching his almost imperceptible nod.  "If you're sure it's not too much trouble?"  

"Ain't no trouble at all, son," the old man answered sincerely.  "My place is just down that lane there. Ain't more'n a fifteen minute walk, but why walk?"  He pointed to the soft glow of lights that shone through the trees. "Ya see it there? My, my, the missus is going to be so thrilled to have company.  We don't see many folk out our way and I think she gets tired a'lookin' at this old face," he laughed.  "Now, I don't think I caught your names."   

***

Frank relaxed as the old Ford truck drove up to the farmhouse.  Even the fog and night couldn't hide the hominess of the place. The large wraparound veranda was adorned with pots of mums whose deep colours were reflected in the shimmering of the overhead lights.  A porch swing, big enough to stretch out on, rocked lazily in the gentle breeze.  Its only occupant being the tawny-furred cat that was curled up and sleeping soundly on the cushions. Frilled curtains framed the windows and a grapevine wreath, interwoven with fall blooms, hung on the wooden door, bidding visitors welcome. Smiling to himself, Frank was reminded of the Mortons’ farm.   

"You expect to see Chet standing on that porch, don't you?" Joe quietly asked, correctly reading his brother's smile.  

"Yeah, I was just thinking that."  

Elderbridge put the pick-up into Park and leaned forward to look at his passengers.  "Well, this is it boys.  I'll let Sada know we've got guests.  You think you can manage those steps with your brother's help, Joe?"  

"No problem," he answered, giving the farmer a crooked grin.  "Thanks again for your help."  

The older man dismissed the teen with a wave of the hand.  "Think nothin' of it, son. Couldn't leave the two of you stranded out there, could I?  It's coming on nigh of ten. Lord only knows when another car would have come by." He slowly climbed out of the cab.  "Now let's get you two inside," he ordered with a grin.  

Frank was helping his brother from the cab of the truck when he heard the unmistakable squeal of a screen door opening.  Turning his attention to the front of the house, he saw a woman standing at the top of the steps. Dressed in a heavy woolen sweater and jeans, she stood huddled against the damp night air.  Her silver hair was tied back in a small bun that sat at the nape of her neck.  Sada Elderbridge, Frank decided, assuming that was who she was, was the perfect match for her husband, Ben.  If ever there was a stereotype for a rustic couple, the Elderbridges were it.  

"Ben?" Sada called worriedly from the porch.  "Back so soon? Is there anything…" Catching sight of the two teens, one leaning on the other for support, she made her way down the steps.  "Dear me, was there an accident?  Oh child, that looks like a nasty cut."  She slipped under Joe's free arm, wrapping an arm around his waist.  "Ben, honey, can you get the door?"  Smiling up at the two brothers, she saw Joe's embarrassed flush.  "Don't worry, I'll have you fixed up in no time.  I imagine you both have a bit of a story to tell."  

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