how to move forward. She’d come here alone, with no expectation of help from an ex-Marine with investigative and tracking experience. Nothing had changed. She could still do this alone.
As many times as she told herself that, she still felt Colter’s absence like a huge blow to her goal of finding Alanna. And maybe a little bit of a personal blow, too, although she didn’t know him well enough to feel anything more than unsatisfied lust.
“Get over it,” Kensie muttered. If Colter wouldn’t help her, she’d do it herself.
After her experience slamming into that snowbank up near Colter’s cabin, her first stop should have been to get better winter gear. But down in the main part of town, the snow was slowing and the accumulation was much less. Only an inch or two of slushy white coated the streets.
More than a pair of warm boots, Kensie needed a mental boost. Something had to go right, something to reassure her that she wasn’t chasing a ghost. Maybe there would be a lead at the store where the note had been found. If she could locate the store itself.
Having an immediate goal made Kensie feel better. She steeled herself as she stepped out of her rental and back into the cold, but couldn’t stop the shiver that raced up her spine. As quickly as possible, she stomped back into the grocery store where the woman had helped her before.
The instant Kensie walked inside, the woman—who was probably the owner as well as the cashier—looked up. Her steel-gray eyes, the same shade as her long braid, were sharp and knowing. “He was no help?”
Kensie shrugged in response, not wanting to badmouth Colter after he’d whipped her up a pot of cocoa, warmed her hands between his own and dug her truck out of the snow despite a badly injured leg. “It was a silly idea,” she said instead.
The woman let out a grunt that sounded like she disagreed. “What else do you need?”
A small smile tugged at Kensie’s lips. Living in a place like this must teach you to read people. As the bell dinged behind her, announcing another customer, Kensie said, “Colter Hayes has his own troubles. But I still need to find the store where the note was found. Do you think you could draw me a map? The roads are really confusing out here.”
“That’s because our roads are what you city folk would call hiking trails. Honey, you might want to wait until the snow clears. It’s out on the edge of town—so far out, most people don’t even think of it as part of Desparre. Owned by a cranky old guy who’s as likely to close for the day as not if the mood strikes.”
Ignoring the little voice in her head reminding her what had happened when she insisted on driving to Colter’s place in this weather, Kensie shook her head. “I want to try today. I need some good news right now.”
“He might not have any.”
“I know,” Kensie said over the lump that had risen in her throat. She swallowed the discomfort back. She had to stay positive.
If she didn’t keep searching for her sister, who would?
“All right,” the woman agreed with a deep frown that told Kensie she didn’t approve. But she drew a map and explained it three times.
Kensie thanked her, then headed back into the cold. She eyed the clothing store down the street, wondering if they’d have better winter gear, then looked up. The sun was hanging low, casting beautiful shades of red and orange across the sky. If she wanted to talk to the owner and get back to her hotel before it got dark, she needed to go now.
A tap on her shoulder made Kensie jump.
The man standing there backed up a step as she turned to face him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
He was almost as tall and muscular as Colter. Almost as good-looking too, with jet-black hair and chocolate-brown eyes. Kensie lowered her arms.
“I heard you talking to Talise.” She must have looked perplexed, because he added, “In the grocery store. You’re looking for Jasper’s General Store?”
Kensie nodded, clutching the hand-drawn map she still wasn’t completely certain she could follow.
“I can take you if you want. My truck’s right over there.” He pointed to a massive vehicle parked in front of hers.
It was probably much more solid in the snow than her rental, but what did she know about this guy? Back home, she’d never get into a truck with a stranger. Of course, back home, she never would have driven out to a stranger’s cabin, either.
Because even though a little voice in her head kept insisting she and Colter had a connection, the reality was that she didn’t know him.
As if reading her thoughts, the guy stuck out his hand. “I’m Danny Weston. Former military just like your friend Colter.” He gave her a big, crooked, boyish-looking grin. “Although Colter was Marines. I was Air Force. Grunts versus high flyers. Just kidding,” he added as she took his hand.
It closed loosely around her own, as if he was afraid to hurt her as he shook. Then he gave her a firm shake anyway. Must have been a military thing.
Kensie had an internal debate. She didn’t know Danny, but she didn’t know Colter, either. And that had turned out fine. Besides, this was about her sister. If it wasn’t for me, Alanna never would have been kidnapped. Kensie nodded to Danny. “Yeah, that would be great. Thank you.”
“Sure.” He led her over to the massive vehicle and held open the passenger door. “We can talk to old Jasper and then I’ll have you back here in an hour, before it gets dark.”
The last of her doubts fled as she settled into the comfortable passenger seat. “That sounds perfect.”
Danny smiled at her again, then slammed the door shut and ran around to the driver’s side. He started up the engine and was just stretching his seatbelt across his lap when the driver’s door was ripped open and he went flying out of the truck.
Surprise and panic shot through her as Kensie’s gaze darted to the perpetrator. Colter.
“Get out of the truck now!” Colter yelled at her, his voice deep and commanding. Rebel stood beside and slightly behind him, teeth bared.
The panic intensified. She fumbled with her seatbelt as Danny climbed to his feet. She tried to open the door, but there was no door handle on the inside, just an empty space where it should have been.
Kensie shoved at the door, but nothing happened. She launched herself across the bench seat, straight toward Danny.
He was squaring off, facing Colter, as though he was about to take a swing. But across the street, people were starting to come out of businesses, maybe because they’d heard Colter’s yell.
Danny paused, and while she still could, Kensie shoved herself out of the truck. Her body brushed past him and he started to turn toward her.
Her heart was pounding out of control, her limbs heavy and awkward in her fear. Then Colter’s hand closed around hers, pulling her first to him and then shoving her behind him. The fear shifted, no longer for her own safety.
Two men who’d come out of the hardware store were slowly walking their way. Talise stood outside with a cell phone to her ear and her eyes on the police
