Page 45 of Kian

“What is it?”

“Sheila is in Clifton. When you went missing, Dave asked me for some of your contacts. I knew he’d want to know who Shelia was, so I gave her name to Dave. He called her to see if she’d talked to you.”

“Damn. Did you see her?”

“Oh, yeah. She came into the office, glared at me and asked where she could find Dave, then she went into his office without even knocking. He told her we hadn’t heard a word from you and were hoping she had. If I’d known Dave was going to do that, I wouldn’t have mentioned her, but you know as well as I do, we have to make contact with people. Past and present. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, Killian. I know the routine. Tell her I’ve been found, and she can go back to Helena.”

“She sounded genuinely upset.”

Kian glanced over his shoulder to see Gretchen sitting on the seat, then spoke into the phone.

“I don’t care. She’s not important anymore.” He sighed. “We have to head back, it’s too damn cold out. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Alright. Hopefully those temps will rise enough to melt some snow.”

“Yep. Talk soon.” Kian disconnected, handed the phone to Gretchen and shrugged. “They already decided not to do it, but I had to call him.”

“Whatever. Just get me back to the cabin. I’m freezing.”

“You know you didn’t have to—”

“Stop. Don’t you dare say it, Doyle. Let’s go.”

Kian grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

He turned the ATV around and drove back to the cabin.

****

Gretchen climbed off when Kian stopped the ATV beside the porch, and quickly made her way inside. She sighed at the warmer air and laughed when Lobo barked at her.

“We weren’t gone that long, but I bet it felt like it to you though, huh?” She rubbed his big head, then removed her coat, hat, and gloves. She wondered why Killian asked to be taken off speaker. Shrugging, she supposed it was either somethingpersonal or had to do with the men who tried to kill Kian.

After hanging up her coat, she put the rifle inside the gun case just as the door opened and Kian entered. He took off his coat, pulled the gun from his waistband, and handed it to her.

“Thanks. I’m glad we didn’t have to use them.” She stared at him.

“Me too. It was best to have them though. We wouldn’t have seen anything coming at us.”

“And that is exactly why we shouldn’t have been out there.”

“Yeah, I get it, Gretchen, but you’re the one who said those men might come back. I was more afraid of them finding you.”

“My land is posted—”

“Do you honestly think your signs would make them stay away? They wouldn’t. If they were dishonest enough to kill wolves for just their pelts, and shoot me, a sign would be the least of their worries. Besides that, they left me on your property.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

“It’s okay, baby, but I told Killian I’d let him know.” Kian grinned. “The department was already ahead of me on that.”

Gretchen smiled. “Did he tell you something about those men?”

“What do you mean?”

“When he asked to be taken off speaker. Was it about the men?”

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