I'm still wondering, trying to puzzle my way through this far too early conversation when his hand lands on the small of my back. With gentle pressure, he guides me off the porch, his presence solid beside me as we work our way to his truck. He surprises me again when he opens the passenger door for me and gives me his hand as I step up inside.
It's toasty warm as I settle against the leather of the seat and the urge to curl up is strong. I force myself to sit up straight and click the seatbelt into place as Brand slides onto the driver's seat. He gives me an approving nod, and then points to the cup holder between us.
"You brought me coffee, again?" I hum appreciatively as I pick up the insulated cup, the sweet brew delicious when I take aquick, cautious drink. "This is how you make a girl not hate you for getting her up so early."
His lips twitch, but he doesn't say anything, just shakes his head as he shifts into drive and pulls out onto the road, then heads up the mountain, toward the ridge where his cabin is. We drive in silence, but again, it's not tense or uncomfortable. It's more like we're old friends, and I close my eyes as I lean my head back against the seat. It's cozy in Brand's vehicle and it smells so deliciously like him, that I simply relax.
And wake up to his gentle touch on my cheek.
He's got a strange look on his face, this kind of half smile that almost looks happy, but his eyes are shadowed with sadness. It lasts for a moment, then he looks away, clearing his throat.
"Glad you're awake. I was starting to worry you were going to drool on the leather."
I automatically wipe my face, then fix him with a furious glare when he gives mea victorious stare in response.
"I don't drool."
He winks at me. "Yes. You do. And it's a little bit adorable."
Before I can answer back, he's out of the truck and making his way over to my side. When he helps me out, I'm able to identify landmarks that tell me right where we are. The High Reach, where the timber is thick and there's a stretch of white, unblemished snow. I can see where the edge drops off, and there's only the cold blue sky. My breath clouds the air in front of me when I breathe out.
It's cold.
Brand gives me an assessing glance. "Fires up here don't happen only when the weather is nice. How well do you know the area?"
"It's been a while since I've hiked through here. Last time I went through the Pass with a guy I dated in high school."
The famous glower is back and then he huffs out a breath, turning from me. "You warm enough?"
"I'm fine. It's not my first winter around here."
I'm not lying. But it's also been a few years, and my time spent in the lower, and warmer, elevations has left its mark. It's been tough to get acclimated to the change since I got back.
"We need to check your skills. Make sure you won't get turned around if something happens up here."
"Have some faith in me, Brand."
He fixes me a glare. "In the dark, with smoke and flames, it's easy to lose your way. This place has fires that happen regularly enough that it's good to be very familiar with it. The better you know the place you're fighting in, the better you're able to find your way out."
Grief is back in his eyes and I'm sure that it's not just me he's thinking about in this moment. From what I've gathered, he doesn't tell war stories, but there's no doubt he's been in battle. He's lost people. I recognize the look because my dad had it sometimes, too.
"Makes sense." I don't argue with him, and he grunts in surprise, then leads the way. Our boots crunch over the fresh snow and I'm glad I wore my old pair. They aren't what most people would call fashionable, but up here, fashion takes a back seat to survival. These are sturdy, waterproof and have great traction.
We walk for a while; the only sound is the wind through the pines and our steps. It's beautiful up here, calming, as everyone and everything else seem so very far away. The trees close in around us, and finally, Brand comes to a stop. My view of the edge I thought we were following has disappeared, crowded out by the thick timber and brush, and I try to find my bearings, looking around us.
All the landmarks I've relied on in the past are blocked by the sentry pines around us.
"Close your eyes." Brand's voice is gravelly, and it sends a thrill through me as I do what he says.
His hands land on my shoulders and he spins me around, keeping me steady on my feet even as the disorientation fills my head.
"Stand here and count to twenty. Then open your eyes and come find me."
I heard him leave, his steps still making noise on the snow, but by the time I've finished counting and look around, the space is empty and I'm not sure which way he's gone.
The snowy ground has been brushed clean and the tracks we'd made on our way in are barely visible. And there are no solo tracks from his big feet to indicate which way he went.
"Well, he wouldn't just leave you here." I flex my fingers in the warm gloves and offer silent gratitude for my decision to wear layers this morning. The extra pair of socks I'd pulled on when I got dressed keep my feet from feeling the chill, at least for now, and the thick leggings are some protection against the wind. I look for any sign of Brand passing through here, knowing this is a test I need to pass, and force myself to be patient.
