Page 78 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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I take a breath.

Careful with my next words.

“He died trying to protect people,” I say.

“That matters.”

Tears shine in her eyes.

“It mattered to the world,” she whispers.

“But it cost Dylan his father.”

That one hits.

Hard.

I glance toward the couch.

Kid asleep.

Dog guarding him.

Everything that’s at stake.

“I’m not him,” I say quietly.

Her gaze snaps back to mine.

“I know,” she says.

And something about the way she says it…

Feels different.

I step closer before I can stop myself.

Close enough to see the exhaustion in her eyes.

The strength.

The fight.

The way she’s still standing when most people wouldn’t be.

“We’re going to end this,” I tell her.

“And no one in this house is getting hurt.”

She searches my face.

Like she’s trying to decide if she believes me.

Then—

Very slowly—

She nods.

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