Page 84 of Last Chance Christmas

Titan let out a low growl.

“I’m not going to fall down too, boy.” Kianna smiled as if that would reassure both of them.

“I can’t get good traction with my shoes,” Cole called up.

He began ascending the hill again, but a few steps in and he backslid.

Kianna’s breath hitched. They needed a rope or something to use.

She cupped her hands around her mouth. “Hang on. I’m going to try and find something to pull you up with.”

She turned around and stood up, surveying the wooded area. Tree branches were too short and would just snap, and any of the longer ones would be nearly impossible to break off.

Titan walked at her heel, and Kianna leaned down to rub the dog. Her hand brushed over the German shepherd’s collar.

“Your leash. Where’s your leash, boy?” It was worth a shot. Kianna hurried back over to the edge. “Is Titan’s leash with you?”

Cole slung his backpack off one shoulder and pulled out the restraint. He wrapped it into a tight ball, then tossed it up to her.

She latched on to the nylon strap. “I got it!” She unraveled it and tied the end snug around her gloved hand to ensure a secure grip. Then she let the rest of the strap fall over the edge of the hill.

It dangled two feet short of Cole’s position.

He began to climb up the slope again, each step slow and methodical. Every few seconds, he’d stop and extend his hand.

“You’re so close. Just a few more steps.” Kianna blew out a breath, and the hot air puffed in front of her.

Cole thrust himself up, and a tug on the strap pulled her forward.

“I got it,” he exclaimed.

Titan must have understood the victory, because he yelped and turned in a circle.

Kianna dug her feet into the ground and leaned back. She refused to lose her grip.

Cole held on to the strap and climbed the rest of the way. He pushed himself over the top of the hill and crawled a few paces away from the drop-off before standing.

His cheeks were red—whether from the cold or the exertion, Kianna couldn’t tell.

Titan jumped up and put his paws on Cole’s legs.

“I’m here, bud. Everything’s okay.” He scratched the dog’s head, then turned to Kianna. “Thank you.” The creases on his forehead disappeared.

She handed him the leash. “You sure you’re not hurt?”

“I’ll be fine.” He took off his backpack and unzipped it. “But you look cold.” He pulled out a scarf. “Here.”

She could say the same about him. The temperature must have dropped a few degrees.

“Thanks.” Kianna took the scarf, and her hand brushed against his. Even though she wore gloves, heat worked its way through her fingers and to her face. There was no way of hiding her rosy cheeks now.

Cole was just being chivalrous. A simple gesture that showed concern for another human.

Right?

Kianna wrapped the scarf around her neck. The wool fabric created a cocoon that thawed the edges of her cold skin.

She wasn’t going to read into the situation. The last time she’d done that, her heart had been shattered into tinier fragments than a single snowflake.