“Vehicle?”
“An SUV. Sort of. It’s… stuck.”
There’s a pause. I hear faint radio chatter in the background. Wind. Movement.
“Location marker?”
I look around wildly. “I—there’s a tree? And more trees?”
Another pause, like he’s fighting the urge to sigh.
“Do you see a numbered post?”
I crane my neck, peering out the window. Snow blows sideways. But then—there. A small reflective marker half-buried in snow.
“Post 14!” I say triumphantly like I just won a game show.
“Stay in the vehicle. Turn your hazards on if you can. We’re on our way.”
My chest loosens slightly. “Okay. Thank you. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”
“Ma’am,” he interrupts, softer now, “you did the right thing by calling.”
I swallow. “Okay.”
The line clicks dead.
I set the phone down and flip my hazards on. The orange lights blink in the darkness, like a heartbeat.
I wait.
Minutes pass. Snow thickens. My nerves spike again.
Then—far off, a pair of headlights appears, cutting through the trees.
Relief hits so hard it almost makes me cry, which is rude because I am trying to be a composed adult woman and not a marshmallow with mascara.
The vehicle draws closer—big, rugged, built for weather that laughs at my coat. It pulls in behind Darlene with practiced ease.
A door opens.
A man steps out.
And listen—I’m not dramatic.I’m actually very grounded as a person. I have a skincare routine. I pay my bills on time.
But the universe is out here throwing men at me like it wants to test my sanity.
He’s tall. Broad-shouldered. The kind of build that looks carved by hard work and cold air. He wears a dark rescue jacket with reflective stripes, gloves, a beanie pulled low over dark hair. Snow catches on his lashes like he’s part of the storm.
He walks toward my window like he owns the mountain.
I roll it down an inch, letting cold air slice in.
“Hi,” I say, trying for casual and landing somewhere aroundpanicked chipmunk.
He leans down slightly, and his eyes lock onto mine.
They’re a clear, striking blue—sharp enough to cut through my nerves, warm enough to make my stomach forget its job.
