“And it’ll take so long, you won’t have time to get up and get back down before the windchill gets to you. River, I don’t have the right to tell you what to do. But if you go up there alone, years of experience tells me you’re putting yourself at far too much risk.” Taking her face in his hands, Easton drew her dark protective goggles away so he could see into those blue eyes. Then he kissed her. “I don’t want to lose you, River. Give me a reason why I can let you do this.”

“Do you remember that day when we were riding? When you said that up here, you could be yourself? With no one watching?”

Easton nodded.

“I don’t know who I am, Easton. I know who I want to be and who I’ve tried to be. I know who I’m going to be if I head down right now. Going back is the right thing to do. It’s the responsible thing to do, because I know how dangerous it is to keep going alone.” River turned her face to the mountain range and to the clouds clinging to the frozen peaks around them. “But what if this is it? What if this is my only chance? I’ve spent all these years trying to find myself, always feeling like the real person under my skin wanted out. What if I go back down, back to my life, and I never really know who I could have become? I don’t want to be…”

“Trapped.”

He understood. At the top of Mount Veil was where he’d found himself too. And as hard as it was, as much as this went against his better judgment, Easton knew he’d fight for her to have the same life-changing experience.

River wiped at her eyes quickly, voice choked. “Yeah. I’m being selfish, but I can’t help thinking if I don’t do this, it’ll never happen.”

Closing his eyes, Easton inhaled a deep breath. Then he nodded. “Okay, we’ll do this.”

“We? Easton, they need you—”

“I know. And when I’m done helping evacuate Bree and Jessie, I’m coming back to you. Stay here in camp so I know you’re safe. I’ll get them down and come back up again.”

The worry in her eyes warmed him, but the sheer relief he felt when she nodded in agreement took his breath away. “Is that too much elevation change for you?” River asked. “This isn’t worth it if you get hurt.”

“I’ll be okay. I’m used to this mountain.” Which might have been an overestimation of his abilities, but she didn’t need to know that. “I’ll radio Ash to come get us below the Veil. It’s the highest her helicopter can safely fly.”

“Hey, Easton?”

“Yeah?”