The Browns were driving north on Highway 17 when they caught a distant flash of light to the east. Looking over, they saw that Mount Blanca had poked its white peak through a wreath of clouds and the sun's rays were glancing off the snow in a dazzling display of light. It was so bright it was almost painful to look at, yet so wondrous that Tony thought, So that's what heaven looks like.
He pulled the car to the side of the road and remembered the old Muslim adage about doing what is necessary: If the mountain would not come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain. He had been praying for some sign, and now it seemed his prayers had been answered. He turned to Sharon, who was looking at the mountain, to explain what he was thinking--but she already had reached the same conclusion. "This is the place," they said at the same time, then laughed in relief.
end of part 1
