Page 127 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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But it does.

More than it should.

I glance toward the window.

Sunlight spills across the ground outside.

Everything looks calm.

Peaceful.

Like nothing ever happened.

But I know better now. I’m sure the barn doesn’t look like nothing happened.

“You trust him,” Rylie says gently from the counter.

I look up.

She’s watching me.

Not judging.

Just… seeing.

I hesitate.

Then—

“Yes.”

The word comes more easily this time.

Stronger.

Rylie smiles softly.

“Good.”

“Why?”

“Because men like him don’t give their word lightly.”

She pauses.

“And they don’t break it.

I swallow.

Because I believe that.

I do. Tank was like that. That’s why I loved him so much.

And that might be the scariest part, with Havoc.

Because somewhere between yesterday and today…

I stopped just hoping he’d come back.

And started needing him to.

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