K-9 Defence. Elizabeth Heiter

Kensie knew it was her turn to take up the torch and keep that promise.

      She stared expectantly at Colter, sensing his next words would be a wary agreement to try and help.

      But he just shook his head sadly. “Believe me, I understand your pain, Kensie. Probably better than you realize. But I’m no good for you. I’m no good for anyone. I can’t help you.”

      * * *

      MAYBE SHE WAS CRAZY.

      It wasn’t just her parents and Flynn who’d begged her not to fly out to Alaska on a questionable piece of evidence and a thin thread of hope. It was also her friends, the ones who’d been by her side since childhood, who’d watched how the constant surge of hope followed by inevitable, bitter disappointment had almost torn them all apart.

      She’d overheard family friends talking about how Flynn’s car accident had been a necessary wake-up call for her parents, reminding them they still had two children who needed them. And in some ways, it had. But it had also been the day they’d decided to accept something Kensie never would: that Alanna was gone for good.

      But right now, hopelessness reared up.

      After his announcement that he wouldn’t help her, Colter had gone outside to dig out her truck over her objections. The whole time he’d been gone, she was worried he’d hurt his leg or freeze out there. But he’d bundled up in much better winter gear than she owned and forty-five minutes later, he’d reappeared.

      She could tell he was trying to hide how badly his leg hurt, so she’d forced herself to keep quiet rather than asking. But guilt had followed her closely as Colter drove behind her rental all the way back into town. She’d parked by the police station where she’d first seen him playing fetch with Rebel, rolled down her window and debated what to say. She’d known him only a few hours and yet she’d been struggling to say goodbye.

      Apparently, he had no such quandary. He’d given her a wave, a solemn “Good luck,” and off he and Rebel had gone.

      She’d probably never see them again.

      The idea left a bad taste in her mouth.

      But right now, she had to figure out 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