He’d never loved someone so much as he did Echo when she offered her mother a second chance.

It felt, in a way, that she was offering them a second chance.

Forgiving him. Loving him. But maybe that was the way it was when someone reacted in love . . . it swept over everyone around them. Allowed them to love too.

Dodge had come home, walked into his father’s study, and forgave him too. Said the words out loud.

And for the first time since his mother died, he saw his father cry.

Shoot, even he’d teared up. Because like Echo said, he chose freedom.

He drove over to the rink and pulled up next to a Remington Mines truck. Retrieving his gear from the back, he heard his name in greeting and turned to see Hank Billings headed his direction.

Dodge threw his duffel bag over his shoulder, grabbed his stick, and closed the tailgate. “I didn’t know you played hockey.”

Hank wore a Nashville Predators jersey and carried skates over his shoulder. “Enough to get myself in trouble. But the guys told me there was free pizza involved, so . . .”

“Only if you win.” They headed for the warming house. The ice was still sharp from last night’s dip into the lower teens, despite the warmer weather that seasoned the air. He put today’s temps in the low forties. “How’s our favorite bear? Is the tracker working?”

“Yes. He’s exploring his new territory. Seems to be okay.”

“And Idaho and the other poacher?”

Hank shook his head. “No sign of the hunter who got away, but Alaska Fish and Game officials apprehended Idaho in Anchorage, about to board a flight to the Lower 48.”

“Wow.”

“Peyton told us where to retrieve one of her cameras, and it shows all three of them surrounding the moose on their four-wheelers and killing it, so he’s going to jail. As for the poacher in custody, he didn’t have a permit or a visa, and frankly, we’re not sure he’s in the country legally. Deke feels like maybe there’s something else going on. He’s alerted the local FBI.”

They entered the warming house, and Dodge sat down next to Goodwin and Malachi, who already had their pads on and were lacing up their skates. “Hey,” Mal said. “I wasn’t sure you’d be here.”

“Oh, I’m here,” Dodge said, opening his bag.

“Yeah?” Mal stood up. “That mean you’re staying?”

“Yep.”

“He’s turning Sky King Ranch into a rescue operation,” Moose Mulligan said behind him. He stood even taller in his skates, and beside him, his brother, Axel, grinned at Dodge with a little friendly competition in his eyes.

“Really?” Mal said. “And you and Echo—you back together?”

“Why?” Dodge asked. “You thinking about cutting in?”

Mal held up a hand. “Not going there.”

Dodge grinned. “Smart man.”