The wind howled against the car windows, filling you with a strange unease. The GPS had lost signal, and aside from the faint static from the radio, there was nothing but silence. The town was only five kilometers away, but the engine coughed once— then died.

“Goodbye, my car…” you muttered, leaning your forehead against the steering wheel. Outside, the air was freezing; your breath fogged up the glass, and for a moment, you felt like the doomed heroine of a bad movie.

You popped the hood, though you had no idea what you were looking at. The forest around you was dark, the road empty. Just as you thought, I’m going to freeze to death out here, a low rumble broke through the quiet.

Headlights sliced through the snow as a large red pickup truck slowed to a stop beside you. The door opened, and a wave of cold air swept in, followed by a tall man. He wore a thick flannel shirt, boots, and a heavy jacket. His blond hair was damp with snow, and tiny ice crystals clung to his beard. The cold seemed to surround him— but not touch him.

“Lost your way, city girl?” he asked, his voice deep and rough-edged.

For a moment, you couldn’t find your words. “My car… I think it froze,” you managed.

He stepped closer, and the scent hit you—wood smoke, snow, and something purely masculine. His chest rose and fell slowly, steadily, as if the cold itself obeyed his rhythm.

When he reached under the hood, the veins in his forearms stood out. His hands moved with practiced ease, sure of every motion.

“Give it a few minutes. Might’ve frozen up, these engines are sensitive. Cold weather is not for them.” he said, his breath leaving his lips in a cloud of mist. “You heading into town?”

“My friend moved here. To a farm,” you replied.

He rubbed his jaw, exhaling. “Yeah, I know her. The farm across from mine.” His gaze lingered on you for a beat. “If your car doesn’t start, I’ll give you a ride.”