Page 24 of Kian

Gretchen watched him walk from the kitchen and sighed. It was going to be tough being around him, remembering how great the sex was, and not want it to happen again.

He came back into the kitchen wearing the jacket and walked to the door. After he opened it, he glanced back at her.

“Take the rifle,” she said, then opened the gun cabinet and handed it to him.

He nodded as he took it from her. “I shouldn’t be too long.”

“Please don’t be. It’s too cold out there, and your jeans and boots are still wet. At least take Lobo with you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’d feel better if you didn’t go alone. Lobo would come back if something happened to you. Once you get back, I’ll put your sling on. You have to be in pain.”

“The pain in my shoulder isn’t what hurts me right now.” He looked at the dog. “Come on, boy. Let’s take a walk.” He smiledwhen Lobo barked and ran out the door. Kian stepped outside, then pulled the door closed behind him.

****

As Kian made his way through the snow, carrying the rifle in his left hand, he wished he knew what he could say to convince Gretchen he knew he wasn’t married or in love with someone. He somehow knew he wasn’t but convincing her would be a tough mountain to climb. After all, would he believe what he’d told her if someone said it to him? He shook his head. He wasn’t so sure about that.

He continued to trudge through the snow with no destination in mind. He was just hoping to see something that would click in his mind and make him remember who he was and what had happened to him.

Kian stopped to glance around and laughed when he saw Lobo jumping through the snow, then he walked toward the area where Gretchen and Lobo found him. It was unbelievably quiet. Just the sound of the snow falling to the ground.

He leaned against the tree, looked into the woods, and straightened up as images came to his mind. Two men, staring at him with their rifles aimed at him, but the image faded as quickly as it appeared.

He was sure he needed to go down that hill but it was getting late and colder. With a deep sigh, he headed back toward the cabin.

“Come on, Lobo, let’s go before we freeze our balls off.” When the dog ran past him, he laughed. “Sorry. I didn’t know you didn’t have yours anymore.”

As they trudged through the snow, he stopped suddenly and glanced around. Standing there, it hit him. All of it, and he dropped to his knees.

****

Gretchen placed her cup in the sink, smiling when she saw Kian and Lobo making their way to the cabin, but gasped in shock, when Kian fell to his knees, and hung his head.

She quickly ran to grab her coat and hat, pulling them on as she ran out the door, down the steps, and trudged toward him in the snow. She sunk to her knees beside him and her heart hit her stomach seeing the tears in his eyes.

“Kian? What is it?” She gently touched his shoulder. He stared into her eyes, and spoke.

“Kian Doyle. I’m a livestock agent with the Montana Department of Livestock. I was following a lead on a horse being spotted when I came upon two men shooting wolves for their pelts. I called out to them when I saw they were getting ready to shoot another one. They turned and shot at me three times. Through my arm, at the edge of my vest, and the graze on my temple. When they shot again, I fell and hit my head on a boulder.” He rubbed the back of his head. “That’s what this is from. It knocked me out, but I can remember bits and pieces of it. Them taking my coat, hat, weapon, badge, phone, and wallet. One said to just let me out there and I’d die from exposure, but the other said not where I was shot, there would be too much evidence, and since it was public land, my body could be found by anyone.” He looked at Gretchen. “They carried me to where you found me, and I passed out again. I’m forty-two years old and I have a fraternal twin, named Killian. I’m single and just moved to Clifton from Helena about six months ago.” He inhaled deeply. “I remember everything.”

Gretchen smiled while tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh, my God! That’s fantastic. I’m so happy for you. How long have you been missing? Do you remember that?”

“Not long. It was my third day of vacation. The same day youfound me. One reason no one was looking for me. I had sent Killian a text telling him about the two men, and I’d get in touch with FWP—”

“Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks?”

“Yes. They needed to go after the men. I’m a livestock agent, that’s not my department, but I could contain them until FWP got there.” He shook his head. “I didn’t get to. I’m sure Killian is out of his mind with worry. We always stay in contact and we have tracking apps on our phones but I bet those men destroyed my phone and Killian wasn’t able to track me. I’d bet a year’s salary that he was in that helicopter that flew over. He probably knew what vicinity I was in because our boss was the one who told me where the horse was seen by a couple of snowboarders. They called in it because no one rides a horse in that area. The terrain is too rough.”

“Your brother is an agent too?”

“Yes. We followed in our father’s footsteps.” He stood. “I need to figure out a way to contact them. Does your cellphone have a signal here?”

“No. I told you, I have to walk a little way to get a signal.”

“Okay. Damn it. But I was able to text Killian.”

“Yes, but you were somewhere different. It’s spotty around here. If you can remember where you were, we can try to go there, but it’s too late now and the storm is getting heavier. I have a big ATV we can use.”

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