She was shaking her head no.

Forever stubborn. “I know we said that before and couldn’t,” he said, “but that’s because I was being a selfish asshole...”

She put her finger over his lips. “Stop talking. There’s nothing more to figure out. I’m moving to Wild River. To be with you. And because it’s what I want.” She leaned forward and kissed his forehead, his nose, his cheeks and finally his lips again.

She smelled so good. He couldn’t wait to be out of this hospital bed...and back in his own bed with his arms around her. He touched her face, drawing it toward his lips. Hers were soft, inviting, warm...everything he’d been missing, craving. The familiar taste of her vanilla lip gloss had all the memories of their time together spiraling back until he thought his heart would explode.

Her kiss was light, easy, as though she was afraid to hurt him. She pulled away slightly, but stayed close as she said, “And I’m applying for a real position on the search and rescue crew, so I can keep your ass safe.”

He stared into the dark hazel eyes he could stare into forever. “I’ll approve your membership on one condition,” he said, kissing her with as much strength as he had, ignoring the pain, the exhaustion...none of that mattered. The woman he loved was in his arms, telling him he’d not only survived his accident, but he was going to leave that hospital with everything he’d always wanted.

“Which is?” she asked, kissing him again.

“You get a new ski suit.”

She laughed. “Deal. Now get some rest so we can get out of here and start a life together.”

He loved hearing her say that, and a heaviness lifted from his chest as his eyes drifted closed again. “You’ll be here when I wake up?”

She kissed him softly. “I’ll be here.”

He believed she would be. He felt their connection in that moment more than ever before. “And you’re not going to change your mind?” he asked, his words slurring slightly as the drugs coursing through his veins started to win the battle.

“About us—never. Get better so I can take you home,” she said, and the implication of her words made his body feel like nothing would ever hurt again. Home. With her.

That’s all he’d ever need.

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Two Weeks Later

LARGE SNOWFLAKES FELL to the ground outside Alaska General Hospital. The festive decorations were gone and only the promise of a new year lingered on the cold air.

“I save your life, and you take my daughter away from me,” Alan said, but Erika heard the teasing in her father’s voice as he shook Reed’s hand.