Page 106 of Thaw My Heart

Now, staring at the majestic creature in front of me, despite my roaring pulse, I know he isn’t here to hurt me. The quietness between us washes over me, and I settle in his gaze. Basking in this moment. The stillness in the air.

Bright truck lights flash.

The elk’s gaze breaks mine, snorting at an approaching vehicle, before taking off back into the forest. I exhale a breath of relief at the sight of a familiar truck approaching me, like a saving grace.

Alaska Rivers rolls down her window and smiles. “You need a ride?”

“I’ve never been happier to see you,” I smile. If she hadn’t come along, who knows how long I would’ve been stuck here. Probably all night long.

I send a thank you to the good man upstairs and hop into her big red pickup truck.

The warmth of Alaska’s truck is relief in itself. I didn’t realize how cold my body was until the heat wrapped around me, thawing out the chill. Luckily, she was on her way home from a farm call when she found me broken down on the side of the road. If not for her, I’d probably still be sitting there, freezing to death.

After we get a few miles down the road, Alaska reports that the missing cattle have been found. Her mother, Fern, spotted them at a gas station after receiving a phone call from Ryker. She’d acted immediately, recognizing our brand, and turned the trucks around to her farm. I’ve never felt so much relief in my life to know that they’d been found. Thank God for Fern.

“Do you know who would do such a thing?” Alaska asks.

“No clue.” Could have been kids messing around… but to take 300 cows? Whoever did this wanted to hurt the ranch, and only one person comes to mind.

But I hope I’m wrong.

When we reach the service zone, several messages from Sadie come through, letting me know that she and Annie are almost to the hospital. Cole has stopped coughing for now, but she’ll keep me updated. I’ve never felt more thankful for her. I didn’t expect her to go to the hospital with them, but I’m happy she did.

We pull up to the Rivers Farm, down a long gravel driveway, where we spot Alaska’s parents, Charlie and Fern, conversing with the truck drivers. The B-double trucks are almost unloaded, with cattle in the surrounding pastures, filling up the small farm to maximum capacity. I could cry at the sight of seeing them safe and unharmed. And today has been a crazy enough day that if the tears start to fall, I might not stop.

Sadie’s scars. Cole coughing up a fit and being rushed to the hospital. Today has been one big fucking mess, and I’m ready for it to be over.

Fern breaks away from the group when she sees Alaska and me approaching. “You’re an angel, Fern,” I call out.

“I wish we could do more,” Fern replies, standing next to me with her hands tucked into her pockets. She gestures towards the five trucks taking up the street and most of the driveway. “We’ve pried about as much information as we could. They’re not sure who forged the documents, but they promised to drive them back in the morning when the weather clears.”

Forged documents? Well, at least the truck drivers were doing the honorable thing and offering to take the cattle back to where they belong. “Probably don’t need to break any bones then.” As much as I’d like to.

Fern chuckles. “We’ll keep them here until it’s safe for them to return.”

“Thank you, Fern. I owe you.”

With a nod to Fern, I make my way to Charlie and the five truck drivers, quickly texting Blake on the way about the situation. The drivers start profusely apologizing as I approach. Promising to make it right as they hand over a copy of the papers they received.

“Are you sure you know nothing else?” I ask, but my voice is feral as I stare them down.

The five of them shake their heads behind the one man who steps forward, answering my question. “We never saw a face.”

“Fine, then.” I guess that’s all I’m going to get.

They disperse back to their trucks as I inspect the documents further. The crinkled papers look legit. Our brand and logos are accurate. Even my signature looks real. Who the hell would’ve done this?

“What do you make of it?” Charlie asks, glancing at the papers in my hand.

“It’s a pretty good forgery,” I tuck the papers into my coat pocket. “Terrible planning, though.”

Charlie nods, agreeing with me. “It’s been a while,” he smiles, taking my hand before pulling me into a brisk hug. Snowflakes cling to his long black hair, hanging down towards the middle of his back, sprinkled with grey strands. His golden-brown skin has more wrinkles than I recall, but otherwise, he looks the same. Bright smile, wearing his usual red Grizzlies hoodie. His favorite football team.

“It has,” I smile back. The guilt I’d buried in my heart rises to the surface. I’d spent many summers here as a kid, back when I was a young boy, and Alaska was my best friend. So much has changed since then. The long years between us show on his face.

“Thank you,” I add, clearing my throat. “For all of this.”

He slaps my back. “Don’t think on it. It’s what we do for our own. Come on in and eat. We’ve got plenty of food to go around.”