Page 34 of Kian

“You don’t shoot them, do you?”

“No, I would never do that unless I didn’t have a choice. I fire into the air to scare them away.”

“Do you have another one I could carry?”

“I have a Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum revolver.”

“I’ll take it.”

“Alright.” She walked to the gun cabinet, unlocked it, removed the rife, along with ammo, and the revolver. Then she handed it and the ammo for it to him.

“Thanks.”

“What is the weapon you carry on duty?”

“Glock 22.”

“That’s a good weapon.”

“It was. I’ll have to get another one.”

“I wonder what they did with it?”

“Tossed it, is my guess. It was a damn good gun.”

“I’m sure it was.”

Kian tilted his head. “How do you know so much about weapons?”

Gretchen smiled. “I spent a lot of time here when I was growing up. My uncle taught me all about them. For safety reasons. He told me to never be out in the woods without protection.”

“Good for your uncle. So, you can handle a rifle and a .357 Magnum. Damn. I need to behave around you.”

“You’re damn right you do. Let’s go.”

Kian nodded, opened the door for her and they stepped onto the porch. Lobo jumped off the porch.

“He loves this weather, doesn’t he?”

“Yes. I just worry about him being out alone. He looks too much like a wolf.”

“Yeah, he does, especially from a distance. I’d hate to see him get hurt by someone mistaking him for one.”

“That terrifies me.”

“I’m sure it does. We’ll keep an eye on him.” He sat astride the ATV and held her hand as she got on behind him. Then he started it and drove it into the woods.

Gretchen laughed as Lobo jumped through the snow. He’d come up, then jump high and down into it again, disappearing. Every time he’d pop his head up from the snow, she’d laugh at his snow-covered muzzle.

Chapter Six

Kian slowed the ATV down upon reaching the creek. He carefully crossed to the other side, then revved the bike and continued. Gretchen’s voice came from over his shoulder, announcing a signal for him to call his brother.

“Let me go a little further first,” he replied, “I want to check on my truck before it gets too late. I can make the call when we come back this way.” He looked back at her for confirmation.

“Whatever you think is best,” she replied with a nod.

Kian drove through the trees, surrounded by the scents of pine and snow. Eventually, he came to a stop at a road that he was sure he had parked his truck on. The road was impassable, but his truck should be here. He scanned the area, but it was eerily quiet.

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