Kinner nods grimly. "I'm guessin' more than a few folks have done things they ain't proud of in this weather. But I'm glad you're alive, too. The Nexus wouldn't be the same without you, Cricket. You're one of my very best friends here."

He nods at the mention of pie, and of fishing when spring comes. Spring seems farther away than ever. "Y'know what? I don't think I've ever met Forrest. You've told me about him. He sounds like quite the guy the more I hear. I wonder if we'd get along."

There's one thing for sure, though, Kinner thinks, a wry smile playing on his scarred face.

"Y'know what, Cricket? I never want to see so much as a snowflake for a good long time once spring comes. I'm sick of this winter. Reckon everybody else here is, too."