Finally, I catch sight of something. A bent branch in the dense tangle of pine, right about the height of a hulking hunk of a man, and I trust my instinct to follow it. I get further from the small clearing, and the trees close even tighter around me. The sun is hidden and it's shadowed in the forest, but the trunks offer their own protection from the blowing wind.
It's not easy to stay on the trail, and I have to stop more than once, checking for signs that I'm going in the right direction. It's pain staking work, but I'm rewarded when I finally catch sight of gray boots against the white ground.
"Found you," I call, and then hurry toward him, only to stumble to a stop when I can see him clearly. Brand is collapsed on the snow, his eyes closed and at first, I'm not even sure he's breathing.
And now I can't breathe. Can't draw in enough air as I reach his side, lifting his hand up as I strip my own glove off, needing my bare fingers against his skin so I can check his pulse.
Which is absolutely, completely fine.
I look at his face, my heart thudding in my chest, to find him looking at me. With what may be approval.
"Good job, there. No panicking, checked for a pulse. Exactly like you should."
I shove his leg. "Not funny."
"It's not supposed to be funny. First Aid, especially when you're in the mountains, is a serious thing."
"I know that. My dad was part of plenty of search and rescue operations as part of the department. He insisted I learn First Aid, CPR, all the things."
Brand shoves up on his elbows and watches me. "I wouldn't have expected any less of him. But here's the thing, being able to execute in a safe, comfortable situation is a different situation than when you're out here in the elements, dealing with a crisis. And you did it."
"I don't like being tested." I scowl at him, even though I know what he's saying makes sense. This is the kind of stuff every volunteer is going to have to be able to do. It's simple. It doesn't mean I enjoy the process. For a second there, I'd felt real fear that something bad had happened to him. As that eases, though, I'm just embarrassed that I fell for such an obvious trick.
"Everyone has to be tested. It's how they learn and get better. How they develop the kind of confidence needed to be successful in these situations. Having people willing to volunteer is great, but they all have to be able to do the work required."
I nod, knowing he's right. "Fine. Point taken. Did I pass the test?"
"Almost," he says, laying back down on the ground. "But now you have to get me up and out of here."
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"That's for you to figure out."
He grins up at me and then closes his eyes again, mimicking unconsciousness once more.
I grit my teeth, swallowing down any complaints I might have, and get to work.
Because there's no way I'm about to let Brand win this round.
9
BRAND
Lydia is curled up on the couch in my cabin, her feet tucked up under her, the thickest quilt I have in the place wrapped around her. I've got a fire going and I'm making us lunch as I look over at her.
"So is this my reward?" Her voice is teasing, but I can hear the tiredness in it. "A homemade lunch from the grinchiest man on the mountain?"
"Your reward is that I didn't make you navigate your way here all by yourself." I ladle the hot soup into bowls and then cut a thick slice of bread for each of us. I carry the food out into the living room and wait until she lifts her feet up so I can sit beside her.
"It smells really good." She takes a tentative spoonful and tastes the broth, eyes lighting up at the flavor. "Tastes even better."
"Good. Glad you like it."
She leans into me with her shoulder. "You're a nice man, you know. I've decided. This whole hot grumpy thing is an act." She takes a bite of the bread, eyes closing in delight.
"It's absolutely not an act." She peeks at me, her cheeks flaring bright red when I add, "Though I appreciate that you think I'm hot."
"I didn't say you were hot."
