The only reason Hunter Daye got the time off work to enjoy his Christmas was to make sure he was well rested to return to base or on a new mission.
The rough, bearded look and overgrown hair wasn't a part of his new look.
Though he had no woman to impress except his mom and little sister.
Getting called from his brother whose flight was delayed due to bad weather. He had to leave his overly festive family at their vacation house here in Aspen Colorado.
Going over the top for Christmas as they do each year since he was a kid.
One of their family-owned properties that are often rented out in times of a memorable snowy holiday. He never expected to be doing someone else job, but he was more fit for it than any of his family combined.
Following his grandfather's footsteps, Hunter joined the Marine Corps and has been recruited since he was nineteen. That was sixteen years ago and still going strong.
Ryder is the second born, running one of the family businesses. Covering everything real estate and hospitality.
Then there's Penny who everyone calls Poppy. She the sweetest thing and wants the best for everyone.
Hearing of a man abandoning his girlfriend who now as to go to the small mountain cabin alone. His mom and sister just had to open their big doe eyes and he'll do anything for them.
Even leaving his family to check up on the female. Missing everything he longed for on the field away from him.
Until an upcoming storm then a blackout on the other side of town had him geared up to make it to his destination.
The female is a friend of his brother's friend. Someone Ryder knew very little about until this moment.
His family stayed in touch with him on the walkie-talkie but soon abandoned it when it fell and got lost.
He left his truck at the foot of the mountain and made his way up by foot with an extra load on his back.
It took over two hours to get there.
Tired, cold, yet and determined.
The surrounding mountains often shield the planes below from the harsh weather. The condition of the small cabin was what he really expected with no manpower around.
Around it was matted with thick snow.
The amount that had fallen off the roof during the previous week had made a wall around the house.
The front porch was covered and that too for every entrance. Making itself a bed of ice that Hunter had to crawl on to try and get the girl's attention.
He knocked but there was no answer and he did so at every window. Until he got to the side of the house where the drapes were slightly exposing the inside.
He saw the burning fireplace looking good, a mattress before the couch where she must have been for days.
Hunter watched the female exit the basement. Oblivious to his watchful eyes.
The tiny human looks frustrated as if she could act like a ranging Chihuahua at any given moment.
Chocolate brown skin that she soon covered to get herself warm and comfy.
Her little cute face had a pouty lip as she took a glimpse at her phone.
Rae, or Jhanna-Rae Amani Marley. That's what Aaron Walter informed him.
The little lady, a foreigner to the USA had mastered a cabin life and survived for five days on her own.
With no communication or physical contact with the outside world.
