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The helicopter finally touched down and ground crews rushed forward just as the hatch opened Wade Rocha leaped to the ground, sure-footed, then held out a hand Sunny stepped into view in the open portal Alive Her sister was really alive and appeared unharmed, as best she could tell from the blanket that swaddled her

With Wade’s help, Sunny stepped out onto the pavement, her steps slow and shaky as she searched the crowd The second her eyes landed on Misty, she s to move faster, but her ordeal had obviously taken a toll Misty sprinted to her, wrapping her sister in a hug so tight it was alo She’d been so terrified, so scared she wouldn’t find help in ti herself the whole way

Sunny eased back, tears streaking into her smile Her hands raised "Thank you Thank you"

"I’ more"

"You were the coht tihtened sense of nuances in facial expressions had served her--had served Sunny--well For the first ti

Wade slid an aret you checked out by the doctor"

Misty nodded too "Go, really We’ll have plenty of tireed "Just onehard

Sunny’sLikely it had to do with Ryker’s lasthis ar to one of the EMT trucks Even her indomitable sister needed to be reminded she was h to stand with her--and up to her--in Wade Rocha

Misty turned to her own man, one she’d loved for years and had finally found a path back to "I’m so sorry about your brother"

He stared out over the bay, snowflakes catching on his blond hair he stood still so long "I’m sorry I didn’t see what he was into I’oing to break our father’s heart"

"Your dad will get co you near" She dusted the snoay and wished it could be as easy to ease the burdens on his heart

Flynn looked down at her, the full power of his pain showing through "Or will looking at me remind him of my brother? God knows, I’m not sure I’ht he was me out there"

"But I knoho you are" She stroked the side of his face "I knew then"

Turning into her hand, he kissed her palh for her to know he took co more overt out here in public wasn’t possible, but there was an unmistakable connection in the h shuddered through him and he tore his eyes away from the harbor He looped an arm around her shoulders and steered her back toward the heated RVs set up for questioning and waiting Not fancy, but definitely war into the power plant, even if it had just been given the all clear

Sighing, she tucked against Flynn’s side, his arm solid and familiar "What should we do now?"

With ease, he positioned his face so she would see his mouth even as they stayed side by side "I need to tell my parents about Ryker, and I would like for you to couided her past a fire truck that had blessedly been unneeded after all "But after that, I want us to go to Anchorage so you can have the surgery I want to be there with you"

His plan seeured it all out sooner "That’s not possible now Sowith Ted and Madison" So rief to be spread out in such a tiny community "How can I complain about a missed appointripped both her shoulders and turned her to him just outside the nearest RV, their last chance for privacy for what could be"And they would want you to go after life and grab it with both hands, whatever it is that you want"

For the first time today, she let herself voice the fears that had been hareed to take my case pro bono won’t do that anye hits the paper? What if he wasn’t even real, just another lie puh our compro to do the procedure" The determination and honesty on his face all but vibrated the air between them "I can drive a snohere with snow, and while I won’t ever be a rich ive you what you need I will stand by you every step of the way until we figure out how to ery happen"

"You would do that for me? Leave the only home you’ve ever known?" She’d seen the claustrophobia close in on hient Lasky She could see the homesickness in his eyes when he’d stared out over the bay And yet she saw none of that now

"I’ve thought every day for four years that I would do anything inwith you is home for me In case you haven’t noticed, Misty, I love you"

"I do know And I hope you know I love you too"

The reality, the honesty of that e through her veins

Twenty-four hours later, Sunny stretched out on the bear rug in front of Wade’s fireplace in Anchorage The fur tickled the backs of her legs peeking out of the oversized T-shirt she’d borrowed fro of -hot in "

Wade stoked the fire with one hand, his other ar only low-slung sweatpants, he sent her pulse racing again even though they’d alreadyhis apartment