Page 34 of True

Boy, you got the latter part right.

"You'll need gas for this too."

He awoke from his reverie and followed Tyler's voice toward a tool bench to his left. He was

wielding a chainsaw.

Well, D, you were right. I'm about to be dismembered by a handsome stranger in the

mountains of Montana. Why not? I deserve it. I'm an idiot for ever thinking this would work.

All he could manage to mutter was: "Why?"

"Firewood," said Tyler, hanging the saw back on it's wall-mount. "I told you. You have to supplement the electric heat in the winter. Otherwise, you'll burn it out."

Tyler was grinning. He wasn't being mean, or condescending—just matter-of-fact… a regular

guy in the regular, snowy, horse-riding west. "Let's go back inside," he said. "You need some rest."

Alec nodded and followed him out. As Tyler was securing the miniature barn doors, Alec

noticed a woodpile that he had missed upon going in.

"That'll get you going for a few days. And there's plenty of trees if you haven't noticed." He grabbed a few large pieces and headed toward the cabin. Alec shuffled behind him, clinging to his

make-shift body shawl.

When they got back inside Tyler piled the wood on the hearth. He stood, brushing his hands

together. "Well, I guess that's it. I think I've told you everything. Al and I will get your car returned to the airport tomorrow. No sense in renting it for… How long are you staying?"

"I'm not sure. I was thinking a month, but now I don't know."

Tyler walked over to him, clasping his arms beneath the blanket. He looked into Alec's eyes

with genuine kindness. "You'll be fine, Alec. It's nowhere near as bad as it seems."

Alec was a little stunned, not only by the sincere gesture but by the man's beauty. There were

beginnings of crow's feet at his temples and a cleft in his stubbled chin. His jawline was square and firm and under different circumstances—and he been bolder—Alec would have reached out and

traced its edge to the cleft. Instead, he gaped.

"You're just tired. You'll wake up with a different perspective."

"A little less than suicidal?"

Tyler released him with a grin. "What size shoe do you wear?"

"Nine and a half."

"I'll see what I can do. Meanwhile, you get some rest." He grabbed his belongings from the table, tossing the scarf loosely around his neck and donning the cowboy hat.

Alec's eyes grew wide at the realization that he was about to be alone. "Can you please light the fire for me?"

"Sure," Tyler said, turning in that direction. "But it's ready to go. Kindling and newspaper are in that box on the hearth. This one's already laid." He took a box of matches from the mantle, struck one, and lit the paper in several places. In moments the fire roared with crackles and pops."

"Wow," said Alec. That was fast.