Page 17 of Kian

“You have no idea what type of work you do?”

“None.”

She stood, and walked to the window and looked out to see the sun was shining and it wasn’t snowing. She turned to look at him.

“If you want to try to walk to where we found you, go put some warm clothes on and I’ll do the same.”

“Alright.” He got up and walked to the spare bedroom and closed the door. He removed the sweatpants, pulled on his boxer briefs, then his jeans. His arm was still a little sore, but it seemed to be healing. He picked up the jacket, opened the door, and walked back to the living room.

“Could you help me with the flannel shirt? Anytime I move my right arm, it hurts.”

“Of course, it hurts. You were shot. Sit down and I’ll help you.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He sat on the sofa.

She slowly slid the right sleeve up his arm, then around his back and he put his left arm in the other sleeve. He was sweating bullets by the time they got done.

“I’ll put the sling on when we get back. You have to try to use that arm or it will get stiff.”

After she finished helping him, she walked to where his boots sat on the hearth, then set them in front of him.

“Do you need help with those?”

“I don’t think so. I can use my left hand.” He grinned. “I’ve done it before.”

He picked up his boots and stared at them.

“Just let me know.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Please call me Gretchen. Ma’am makes me feel old.”

“It’s a habit,” he said then frowned. “I know that’s true.”

She smiled at him. “That’s good, though.” She shook her head. “Your jeans are going to get soaked again, but at least you have something to change into, but your boots will get wet again too.”

“I’ll just set them next to the fireplace again. I won’t be going anywhere for a while.”

“Alright. Let me grab my rifle, then we can go.” She unlocked the gun cabinet, removed the rifle then nodded at him.

When they stepped onto the porch, Kian heard Gretchen gasp at the cold and shook his head.

“Damn, I’m glad you found me. I would have died from exposure.”

“That’s why I don’t think you were out there long at all.”

“I couldn’t have been.” He stuck his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “Let’s go and get back before my ba—something freezes.”

Gretchen snorted out a laugh. “Okay.” She looked at Lobo. “Come on, boy. Let’s show Kian where we found him.”

****

As Killian tried to focus on his work at his desk, he couldn’t shake off the worry for his brother. Kian should have contacted him, and Killian hadn’t heard from him since the day he called and told him he saw two men poaching wolves for their pelts. That was days ago. Dave interrupted his thoughts with a question about their mutual concern.

“Anything?” Dave asked.

“No,” Killian replied with a heavy sigh. “This isn’t like him, Dave. Something is wrong.”

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