Forever Wild (The Simple Wild #2.5) - K.A. Tucker Page 0,44

harsh realities of life in Alaska. She has already lost so much.

“Glen said they probably went north along the river.” Toby traces the line on the map with his index finger. “In this weather, even I’ve gotten turned around a few times up there, and I know that area like the back of my hand.”

Björn frowns at the map. “What about west?”

“Nah. They’re not allowed to go that way. Too easy to get lost up in there, even in good weather, especially for a bunch of kids.”

“Then that’s the way they went,” Björn says matter-of-factly.

Toby’s brow furrows. “Kelly’s pretty good about sticking to the rules.”

“Teenagers don’t always do what they’re told. I’ll bet they went west,” Björn presses.

“This isn’t a horse race—” Jonah cuts himself off, gritting his teeth to bite back whatever else he’s about to say.

“Of course, they could have started north, got twisted up, and ended up goin’ west, like those kids a few years ago,” Muriel says. “Remember them? Found them eighteen miles away, frostbitten to hell.”

Not helping, Muriel.

“We’ll start by following the river north and then fanning out along those trails,” Jonah states, sparing Björn nothing more than glare—as if to dare him to counter—before heading over to me. “You gonna stay here?”

“No. I’m going with you.”

He shakes his head. “It could be a long night, Calla.”

“I don’t care.” I reach for him, squeezing his hand. “If you’re out there all night, then so am I.”

He nods. “Okay. But you should add another layer or two.”

Björn walks over, his coat and hat in his hands. “What machine can I take out?”

Jonah frowns, with surprise or irritation, I can’t tell. “There isn’t one. We only have the two, and Mabel’s got one of them.”

“Where can we find another?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t have time to look for one for you.” Definitely irritation.

“What can I do, then?”

“I don’t know. Keep the fire burning.”

Björn scowls. “But—”

“I don’t have time for this.” Jonah tugs his hat over his head. “Calla, you got two minutes.”

I run up the stairs to find more layers.

Jonah’s body is rigid against mine as we sail up the driveway toward the house, and I know it has nothing to do with the chilling cold that has seeped into our bones.

We can’t find Mabel or Kelly.

I lost count of the number of people out, riding the trails for hours. But there’s not a trace of the girls to be found, the falling snow and blowing wind covering whatever tracks they might have made.

“I hate being on the ground like this. I wish I could use my plane,” Jonah snarls, peeling off his helmet.

My heart beats in my throat as we climb the steps, our limbs numb from the ride. The buzz of approaching snowmachines trails behind us. I don’t have to look to know it’s the McGivneys, who have no intention of leaving us tonight, whether we want them to or not.

This is becoming our routine—tragedy strikes and we congregate. It would be uplifting if not inspired by such horrible events.

Agnes is waiting for us at the door. The grief on her face says she has already received the grim news from the state troopers that they’ve called off the search until morning due to poor visibility.

“I’m gonna gas up and go back out on my own,” Jonah says by way of greeting.

“No, you’re not!” we both respond in unison, followed closely by similar reactions from Astrid and my mother.

“You can’t go out again tonight. Look at you both. You’re frozen!” My mom peels my stiff, snow-caked scarf from around my neck as if to make her point.

“And there are two teenaged girls out there, frozen!”

“Jonah!” Astrid scolds.

He smooths a palm over his forehead and tempers his tone. “I’m sorry. But I can’t sit around here while she’s out there.”

“And I can’t have you and Björn going rogue tonight.” There’s desperation in Astrid’s voice.

Jonah’s eyes bulge. “What do you mean? Where the hell did Björn go?” He scans our living room, as do I. Only a weary-looking Simon remains, quietly sitting at the dining table by the dim cast of an oil lamp. All the food has been tucked away and the kitchen is spotless.

“He was upset that he was left behind while everyone else went out.” Astrid hesitates. “He needs to feel useful in situations like this, and you made him feel old and useless.”

Bewilderment mars Jonah’s face. “You’re kidding me, right? I don’t give a shit about Björn’s ego right now. You shouldn’t,