Page 20 of Kian

“My boss,” Grady said then answered. “We might have found something, Warren. There’s a cabin deep in the forest.”

“I’m sorry but it will have to wait until the storm clears. You’re going to get caught in it. Check the mountains,” Warren said.

Both Killian and Grady looked at the Glacier Mountains. Killian sighed.

“As much as I hate it, I agree with Warren That looks like a powerful storm. I’ll just have to pray that Kian is in that cabin, safe and warm.”

“Alright. Let’s head back, that storm is moving too fast. We’ll come back when we’re able.”

“I appreciate it, Grady.” Killian stared at the smoke and prayed it was his brother.

Chapter Four

As they trudged through the thick, powdery snow, Gretchen could see Kian shivering in his inadequate boots and without gloves. She knew he must be freezing, but she knew he would push on. The sooner they reached their destination, the sooner they could retreat back to the warmth of the cabin.

Lobo bounded ahead of them, joyfully bouncing through the snow and barking with excitement. Gretchen couldn’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm.

“Well, someone loves the snow,” Kian remarked.

“He’s a Malamute. Of course, he loves it. There have been times when I practically have to drag him inside,” Gretchen replied with a smile. “He’ll just lay on the porch covered in snow and refuse to move.”

“I think I like snow, but not enough to stay out in it,” Kian confessed.

“I love it, but I feel the same way. Cold weather is my favorite, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy being cold.”

“That makes sense. People love summer but don’t want to be sweating in the heat,” Kian nodded. “When I would bale hay—” He suddenly stopped and looked at Gretchen. “I’ve baled hay.”

“See? Your memories are coming back,” she said encouragingly.

Kian grinned at her, causing Gretchen’s heart to skip a beat. She just couldn’t get over how undeniably handsome he was, and she couldn’t help but wonder if there was someone somewhere missing him right now.

They finally arrived at the tree where Lobo had found Kian, and Gretchen turned to face him.

“This is the spot,” she said quietly as they both looked around.

After a few moments of searching, Kian suddenly stoppedand gazed up at the sky.

“Is that a helicopter?” he asked incredulously.

“It sounds like one,” Gretchen confirmed. She tried to run out from the trees toward the sound, but the deep snow impeded her progress.

Kian attempted to do the same, but they both ended up sinking into the snow. They could hear the helicopter getting farther away and Gretchen felt a sense of disappointment wash over her.

She looked back at Kian who had dropped to his knees in defeat.

“Fuck,” he shouted, then turned to look at her. “I have a feeling they were looking for me.” He hung his head.

Gretchen walked back to him and crouched down beside him. “They’ll come back,” she reassured him.

He raised his head and stared at her. “What makes you say that? They didn’t find me here, so they’ve probably moved on.” He got to his feet. “Son of a bitch.”

“Kian, they went back because of that.” She pointed toward the mountains in the distance. “A storm is rolling in, and we need to head back. The snow is starting again.”

“Not yet. If you want to go, go ahead, but I’m going to walk around and see if anything jogs my memory.”

“You can’t be out in this weather for too long,” Gretchen reminded him.

“I won’t be. Please, just let me look,” he pleaded.

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