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I turned off the engine and sat, admiring the view for a moment. The cabin was constructed of dark brown logs with a red metal roof, now covered in snow. Rolling hills, blanketed in a layer of white, stretched in all directions. The cabin was isolated—I’d passed a few other homes on the way up the hill, but they were far below. The snow was still coming down, so I checked my phone to see if I could warn Shanley. She had worked today, and said she’d be up later along with some of the others.

No Service. I exited the car, and held my phone up, trying to pull in a signal. One bar showed, then disappeared again. I texted her anyway, to let her know I arrived, but the text stalled and failed to send.

“Damn.”

I grabbed my purse and my laptop case and slung my overnight bag over my shoulder. I traversed the ten steps up to the porch, which were slick with snow. From my pocket, I retrieved the entry code for the door, and let myself in. I shut the door behind me and looked around. The cabin was beautiful, a creation of wood and stone, homey but elegant. The scent of wood was strong. In fact, it smelled like someone was burning logs.

I walked toward the living area, stunned by floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the expansive view. A huge stone fireplace was off to the side, in front of a sofa and chairs, with several logs burning and crackling within. I saw no one, but my senses told me I wasn’t alone.

I called out, “Hello?”

A tall man emerged from the kitchen, a mug in one hand and a startled expression on his handsome face. He had short auburn hair, dark brown eyes, and a fit, muscular build. He seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place him.

Until he spoke.

“Dexi Banning? Is that you?”

My mouth dropped open. Keilan Gabriel was the last person I expected to see here, and the last person I ever wanted to run into. If it wasn’t snowing like a scene out of Frozen right now, I’d be back in my Kia and headed down the mountain.