Page 182 of Rangers Mountain Rescue
“Do you?” I ask.
He exhales.
Runs a hand through his hair.
“No,” he admits.
And something in my chest settles.
Because I needed to hear that.
More than I wanted to.
“This doesn’t make things easier,” he says.
“I know.”
“It makes them harder.”
“I know that too.”
I step closer.
Stopping just in front of him.
“But I’m not walking away from it,” I add quietly.
His gaze sharpens.
“You should,” he says.
“Are you?”
That stops him.
Because he can’t say yes.
Because we both know the truth now.
He stands slowly.
Careful of his ribs.
But still too close when he straightens.
“This isn’t just about us,” he says.
“I know,” I reply.
“There’s danger.”
“I know.”
“Your son—”
“I know.”
My voice softens, but it doesn’t break.
