Gerri Hill - Sierra City

They continued on, listening for the approach of the snowmobiles. It was another hour before they spotted them and they hugged each other and cheered as Greg and Matt stopped just a few feet in front of them.

"Well, I'll be," Matt said. "Look at you! You're not frozen at all," he said and laughed. "Glad you're okay," he said seriously.

"Are we glad to see you," Chris said. "Snowmobiles and all."

"Did I hear you right, McKenna?" Greg asked, a huge grin on his face. "Thought you hated these damn things?"

"Yeah. And I can't wait to get on that damn thing."

Bobby took Kenny on one snowmobile and Chris, after kissing both Greg and Matt full on the mouth, took the other, leaving them behind to ski down. They radioed Roger with the good news, then followed the tracks of the snowmobiles down the mountain.

Considering how long it had taken them on die skis, it seemed that in no time at all they were at the trailhead. They followed the road into town, most of the buildings unrecognizable under the heavy blanket of snow.

"Look at that drift, McKenna," Bobby yelled, pointing to the pile of snow that covered the windows of the ranger station.

Within minutes, they were standing in the warmth of the ranger station, telling their story.

"I've never heard of a cave being out there, McKenna," Roger said.

"Well, Jack knew about them," she said. "He took Jessie there when she was young."

"You're damn lucky, kid," he said, then hugged her for the third time. "How could you have lost the radio?"

"Oh, I don't know. There was a blizzard blowing, I was exhausted, my hands were frozen. Hell, how do you think?" she asked and laughed with him. It was easy to laugh now. They were safe.

He took her aside and put his arm around her. "I was worried sick, McKenna," he said seriously. "And you need to call Jessie. She's at Annie's. I called diem and told them we'd found you, but she was pretty shook up about it."

Chris nodded.

"Oh, and you'll have to use your cell. The phone lines are down."

"My phone is buried in my Jeep, Roger. At least, I think that lump out there is my Jeep."

"Mine's on my desk."

She closed the door behind her, relaxing for a minute before picking up the phone. She searched her memory for Jessie's number, then found it scribbled on a note on Roger's desk. The phone was answered on the first ring.

"Thank God, it's you. Are you okay? Do you still have all your fingers and toes?" Annie asked.

"All accounted for, although I'm still not completely thawed."

"A shot of brandy and a nice fire will do wonders. Now, let me get Jessie. She's been, well, she's been nearly out of her mind, thinking she'd lost you. Here."

Chris didn't have time for Annie's words to register. Another voice was calling to her.

"Chris ... sweetheart," Jessie whispered. "You're okay, right?"

"I'm okay."

"You know, McKenna, you missed our dinner date. One frozen pizza down the drain," she said lightly.

"Funny you should say that. Last night, while I was trying to sleep, I was thinking that I'd give anything to be sitting by a fire with you, eating that damn pizza."

"I was so afraid for you, Chris. Annie's had to put up with my fits of crying," she said. "I think she's ready for me to be gone."

"You were crying?" Chris asked. "Why were you crying?"

"I was afraid I'd never see you again. I was afraid you weren't going to come back to me, and there were still so many things I wanted to tell you. And I was afraid that I wouldn't get the chance."

Chris smiled, wondering if Annie was standing there listening. This conversation wasn't exactly between friends.

"We found your cave, by the way. It's the only thing that saved us."

"Chris, I..." She hesitated. The words she wanted to say weren't made for the telephone. Besides, she thought that Annie was enjoying the conversation far too much. "When can I see you?"

"I hope tonight, Jessie. I really want... need to be with you tonight," she said softly.

"I'll come to your cabin as soon as the roads are clear enough. And McKenna?"

"Yes?"

"There's really no need for you to dress," she whispered.

She sat there with a silly grin on her face when Roger stuck his head inside.

"Everything okay?"

"Everything's great, Roger."

He sat down in one of his visitor's chairs and studied her. She knew she must look a sight and she ran a hand through her disheveled hair.

"Jessie was over here yesterday. She saw your Jeep, thought you were here," he said. "She heard the last few radio transmissions and it shook her up pretty bad when we thought we'd lost you." He rubbed the heavy stubble on his chin, evidence that he had not gone home last night.

"It was stupid of me not to secure the radio, Roger, but it was pure hell out there," she said truthfully. "I don't mind saying that I was plenty scared," she admitted.

"I don't doubt it. We were all scared for you. You did a hell of a job, saving that man's life. He's damn lucky it was you out there and not Hatcher or someone else. They would have been more concerned about their own hide and the hell with a lost skier."

"Oh, I don't know. Bobby never once suggested that we give up. In fact, I asked him several times if he wanted to head back and he didn't."

"That's because you've taken Bobby under your wing and he idolizes you," he said.

"He does not, he just cares about things, you know. He's perfect for SAR." She leaned back in her chair and relaxed. "Roger, I want to put him on salary. Part-time, if nothing else. He does far too much to be a volunteer," she said.

"I know. I've already put in a request. With Hatcher out of here in a few months, we'll have room in the budget."

He stood up and smiled at her, then raised an eyebrow.

"I'm assuming you have plans tonight?"

"My plans include a hot fire, something alcoholic to drink, I'm thinking brandy. And of course, a very warm, very soft female body to kiss away my aches and pains."

Roger blushed scarlet and hurried to the door.

"Jesus, McKenna, I don't need details!"

Chapter Forty-five

Jessie drove carefully down the partially cleared road. It seemed like forever before the snowplows made it up Annie's way. She really had no idea how deep the snow was until she was out in it. Snow was piled high on each side of the road and there were no visible fences that she could see. She made her way past Mary Ruth's cabin and wondered how she had fared. Her car was still buried. On the drive to Chris's cabin, it was just one long snow tunnel and she parked behind Chris's Jeep, which was still heavy with snow.

It was nearly dark when she got there and a few stars were already blinking in the clear cold sky. She pulled her parka tightly around her and hurried to the door, pausing only a moment before knocking. Chris called to her and she walked into the warm room, the fireplace glowing hotly. Chris lay on the sofa, a pillow tucked under her head and Dillon curled on her stomach. Their eyes met and held, a slow smile forming on Chris's face.

"Hey."

Jessie nodded, feeling her throat threatening to close. She was nervous. As nervous as she'd ever been in her life. What if she was wrong about Chris? What if Chris laughed it off, blaming it on the snowstorm? She shrugged out of her parka and let it fall to the floor.

"Chris... I... there's something I want to tell you. Need to tell you," she started. She stood firmly rooted by the door, her legs refusing to carry her closer to Chris. "You may not want to hear it."

Chris sat up but still clutched Dillon in her lap. She had no idea what was coming, but Jessie looked ready to bolt through the door.

"Okay. What is it?" she asked hesitantly.

"It's me... it's us," she said. At Chris's frightened look, she hurried on. "I don't know what you want, but... I... oh, hell, McKenna, I wanted to warn you that... I think I'm in love with you. At least, I think that's what this is. And I wanted to give you a chance to get out or tell me I'm out of my mind before I say something really stupid or..."