Chapter 21“Slow down Lucas, what do you mean your mom is gone? Gone where?” Lucian felt a sudden sense of fear. Lucas was hysterical; Jack took the phone away and started talking.“Arabella was suppose to be here when I brought Lucas back from our weekend fishing.” Jack sighed and the phone felt empty. “That was yesterday. She’s never not been here, Lucian. We’ve walked the trail, gone to the cave; searched where ever we could. Her jeep is here. I’m going to call Search and Rescue.”“I don’t understand, Jack. Would she go somewhere without telling you?” Lucian was horrified by every word Jack spoke.“No, no, not Arabella; she is always where she says she’ll be. She did say she was going hiking and camp out for one night. Even Thorn is restless, and I’m getting really worried.”Lucian’s throat closed up and he was unable to respond right away. He cleared out his throat. “Call them; Jack, I’m on my way.” Lucian raced to find his keys and ran out of the house.The drive up the mountain

Chapter 23Arabella swung the axe and missed for the fifth time in a row. She turned as she heard laughter coming from the homestead. Frowning she turned back to the stump, set the log upright on it and gave a mighty swing. The log split in to two pieces. Jumping up and down Arabella pumped her fist in victory. She was determined to pull her weight. It was not easy, she did not have a familiar feel when she first picked up the heavy axe so she figured she never welded an axe before. Gabriel bet her she could not split the log. The loser got to bring water up from the river.“I told you I could do it.” Arabella walked over to the porch and looked up with Gabriel with a hugh grin on her mouth.“Okay girl, but could you do it fifty more times? That’s how much we need for just one night and day unless that storm that is coming hits too soon. Then we will not have enough to last a day. So, are you done fooling around? I really need to get this done, Blue.”Arabella tried to hand the axe to

Chapter 25Arabella lay back on the warm boulder. The snow was still on the ground; the sun shining, light glistening off rocks and trees. For this moment, she felt content. It surprised her that it was possible to feel this way. After all, she didn’t have a memory, she was co-existing with a man she did’t know, they were more or less stranded in the middle of a great mountain range. Yeah, what was not to be content about?The air was redolent with the smell of spring. Animals were stirring from their deep sleep to forage for food. The world sighed as it settled into another season. Gabriel stood at the only window in the cabin and watched Arabella as she greeted the warmth of the day. His mouth went dry when she stretched, hands above her head, back arched. Gabriel jerked his head and stepped back from the window. He did not like where his mind was taking him. Arabella was hard not to love. He had never been in love so did not like the feeling. He was used to the many dalliances he e

Chapter 27Lucian drove at break neck speed on the narrow dirt road. His mind was not totally on the road but Lucas and Jack didn’t seem to mind. The boy wanted to get to his mom as fast as Lucian did. Lucian’s mind turned back to the trip He and Jack took into the middle range of the Rocky Mountains.“Lucian, if you can’t keep up, say so. I can always pitch a tent for you, build a fire and leave you. I don’t need you slowing us up.” Jack was frustrated. What should have been a day to get there and a day back had already turned into a day and a half.Lucian shook his head. He struggled the last twenty minutes and couldn’t blame Jack for getting irritated with him. He was irritated with himself. He considered himself fit and in good shape but these mountains were proving to him that he had no idea what fit really was. There was no way he would let Jack leave him behind though. His need to find Arabella out shone his exhaustion. With renewed determination, Lucan picked up his pace and s

Chapter 29Lucian, Lucas and Jack stood in the middle of the small cave. The fire in the pit was cold; it was obvious that it had not been lit in a while. Where could Arabella have gone? The only way out was through the front of the cave and the three men were camped out there; they would have seen her.A stir of air floated across Lucian’s face. He recognized that feeling. Lucian turned toward where the air was coming from. Facing the back of the cave, Lucian watched as Arabella stepped out of the shadows.Lucian was cautious as he walked toward Arabella. He did not know what mood would possess her and did not want to startle her. Arabella’s eyes lit on Lucas and Jack first. She smiled at them, a smile that lit her whole face. Lucian watched, fascinated as the emotions rose in her face. He did not believe he had ever seen her look as beautiful as she looked now. Her eyes finally come to rest on Lucian. She did not frown at him as she usually did when she saw him.Arabella was so happ