Chapter 38

chapter

thirty-eight

A Year Later

The autumn air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of woodsmoke and damp leaves. Rylan Cross stood at the edge of the search grid, watching as Valor worked back and forth across their section, nose to the ground, his tail wagging with focused energy. They’d been at this for hours, but for the first time in what felt like forever, Rylan wasn’t filled with dread.

This search was going to end the way they wanted it to.

He didn’t know how he knew, but he did.

Five-year-old Dylan Marsh had been missing for nearly twenty-four hours. He’d wandered away from his family’s campsite in the redwoods, chasing after their golden retriever, Max. The dog had returned hours later, muddy and tired, but Dylan hadn’t. The team had worked through the night, scouring the woods with unwavering determination.

Rylan adjusted the strap of his search pack and glanced around. The forest stretched in every direction, sunlight streaming through the towering redwoods and dappling the ground in shifting patterns. It was beautiful, peaceful—deceptively so. Rylan had seen enough of these cases to know how quickly nature could turn from a haven to a threat. But today, the chill that usually settled in his chest during these missions wasn’t there.

“Anything?” Zak’s voice crackled over the radio.

“Not yet,” Rylan replied. “But we’re close. Valor’s got a scent.”

“Keep me posted. We’re moving toward your position now.”

“Copy that.” Rylan clipped the radio back to his vest and glanced down at Valor. “All right, buddy. Let’s find him.”

Valor barked once, his ears perking up as he took off into the underbrush, his nose low to the ground. Rylan followed, his steps steady but purposeful. He didn’t need to call out for Dylan—Valor’s keen senses would do the work.

Izzy’s voice came through the radio next, warm and clear. “We’ve got fresh tracks over here—child-sized sneaker prints heading southeast. Could be Dylan’s.”

Rylan’s heart lifted at the sound of her voice. A year together, six months living together, and she still had that effect on him. “Copy that. Valor’s heading southeast too. Looks like we’re on the same trail.”

As Valor led him deeper into the forest, Rylan spotted movement ahead. Izzy emerged from the trees, her dark chestnut hair pulled into a ponytail, her amber eyes sharp and focused. He still loved seeing her in uniform—confident, capable, and in her element.

“Anything?” she asked as he approached.

“Valor’s locked in.” He nodded toward the dog, who was now circling a cluster of bushes with intense focus.

She fell into step beside him, their movements in sync. “He’s close. I can feel it.”

Rylan glanced at her, the corners of his mouth lifting. “You always have good instincts.”

“So do you.”

They pushed forward together, moving with practiced efficiency. Valor barked again, his body taut with excitement as he nosed a cluster of thick bushes.

Rylan crouched beside his dog. “What is it? Show me.”

Valor barked once more, pawing at the bushes, then he sat and triumphantly lifted his nose.

His signal.

“Got something!” Rylan parted the foliage, his breath catching as he spotted a small figure curled up against the roots of a massive redwood. Dylan Marsh. His face was streaked with dirt, and his jacket was torn, but his chest rose and fell steadily with each breath. He was alive.

“Dylan,” Rylan called softly, his voice breaking with relief. “Hey, buddy. We’ve been looking for you.”

The boy stirred, blinking groggily before his eyes focused on Rylan. “M-my dog,” he mumbled.

“Max is already back at your camp with your parents,” Rylan assured him. “He’s been worried about you. So have your parents. How about we get you back to them?”

“I-I’m c-c-cold.”

Rylan took off his RWCR jacket and wrapped it around the boy before carefully lifting him.

Dylan’s eyes widened. “You have a metal arm.”

Rylan gave the boy a reassuring smile as he settled him against his chest. “I sure do. Pretty cool, huh?”

Dylan nodded, his small hand reaching out to touch the sleek prosthetic. “Are you a superhero?”

Rylan chuckled. “Nah, I’m just a regular guy who got hurt and needed a new arm. But you know who the real superhero is? Valor here. See? He has a metal leg, too. And he’s the one who found you.”

At the sound of his name, Valor’s tail wagged, and he pressed his nose to Dylan’s cheek, making the boy giggle.

“He’s a good doggie.”

“Yes, he is. The best.”

“I miss my doggie,” Dylan murmured, his eyelids growing heavy as he snuggled into Rylan’s warmth.

“You’ll see him soon.” Rylan glanced over at Izzy, who was watching the exchange with a soft smile, her eyes shining with pride and love.

She reached for her radio. “Base, this is Sergeant Delgado. Tell Dylan’s parents we’ve got him. He’s cold and a little scraped up, but he’s safe. Heading back to base now.”

“Copy that,” Zak’s voice crackled over the radio, the relief evident even through the static.

A moment later, a cheer erupted through the forest, sending a flock of birds into the sky.

As they made their way back through the forest, Dylan dozed off in Rylan’s arms, exhausted from his ordeal.

Izzy fell into step beside them, reaching over to brush a lock of hair from the boy’s forehead. “You’re so good with him. With all the kids we find.”

Rylan met her gaze, his heart full. “Just practicing.”

He laughed when her steps faltered, and she fell behind. “Keep up, Delgado.”

“Wait.” She hurried to catch up to him. “How did you know? I barely know! I haven’t even taken a test yet.”

“You’ve been sick every morning for the last week. Doesn’t take a medical degree to figure it out.” He smirked at her. “Besides, according to your Abuela, we’re behind schedule. We should already be on our second.”

“Second?” she squeaked, her hand going to her flat stomach like she could already feel the baby there. “Excuse me, how many do you think we’re gonna have?”

“Well, darlin’, I figured we’d start with one and see how it goes. But if that kid is anything like you, I’m thinking we’ll have our hands full.”

Izzy shook her head, a laugh bubbling up in her throat. “Like me ? You’re the impossible, stubborn ass.”

“You love me anyway.”

“I do. More than anything.” She stepped closer, careful not to disturb the sleeping boy in his arms, and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “And I can’t wait to start a family with you.”

As they emerged from the trees, the base camp came into view, a flurry of activity. Dylan’s parents were already running toward them, tears streaming down their faces. Rylan carefully handed the boy over to his mother’s waiting arms, stepping back as the family reunited in a tangle of hugs and relieved sobs.

This was what it was all about—the reunions, the relief, the chance to give families back what they’d thought they’d lost.

“Thank you,” Dylan’s father choked out, clasping Rylan’s hand. “Thank you for bringing our boy back to us.”

Rylan nodded, his throat tight with emotion. “Just doing our job, sir. We’re just glad he’s safe.”

Izzy slipped her hand into Rylan’s as they watched the joyful reunion. “I love this part,” she murmured. “It never gets old.”

“No, it doesn’t.” He tore his gaze away from the family and scanned the base camp. Zak and Anna stood together by the tent, their arms around each other as they shared a quiet moment. Shane and Pierce laughed with Ellie, who held a mug of coffee in one hand and gestured animatedly with the other. Donovan tossed a stick for Spirit, who bounded after it with uncontainable joy. Even Veronica was smiling as she and Connelly guided the family toward her helicopter.

Rylan’s chest tightened, but it wasn’t with the familiar ache of grief or guilt. It was with something brighter, stronger—a steady, unshakable joy.

He realized Izzy was watching him with a knowing smile and sent her a sideways glance. “What?”

“Nothing,” she said, leaning her head against his shoulder. “You just look… happy.”

“I am,” he admitted, his voice thick. “I really am.” He reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against the small velvet box he’d carried for weeks, waiting for the right moment.

And now, surrounded by the people who had become his family, with the woman he loved by his side, he knew there would never be a more perfect time.

“Hey, Iz, can I ask you something?”

She turned to him, her brow furrowing slightly at the suddenly serious note in his voice. “What is it?”

He took a deep breath and dropped to one knee. The campfire’s glow caught the silver band as he opened the box, revealing the ring nestled inside. Izzy’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in shock.

“Isabella Delgado. You’ve stood by me through the darkest moments of my life and reminded me what it means to really live. You’re my best friend, my heart, my everything. And I don’t want to spend another day without knowing you’ll be by my side. Will you marry me?”

For a moment, there was only silence broken by the crackling of the fire. Then Izzy dropped to her knees in front of him and cupped his face in her hands as tears spilled down her cheeks.

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Yes, Rylan. A thousand times, yes.”

Relief and joy crashed over him as he slid the ring onto her finger, his hands steady despite the overwhelming emotion. Izzy threw her arms around his neck, holding him tightly as cheers and applause erupted from the team behind them.

“About fucking time,” Zak called, grinning from ear to ear.

Rylan shot him the finger behind Izzy’s back, then laughed when he noticed she was doing the same thing behind his. He pulled back just enough to press his forehead to hers. “I love you so damn much.”

They stood together, Izzy’s hand tucked securely in his as they turned to face their friends— their family. Valor pranced around their feet, his tail wagging so hard his whole body shook.

“Well, I guess this calls for a celebration,” Shane said, lifting his coffee mug in a toast. “To Rylan and Izzy!”

“To Rylan and Izzy!” The others echoed, their voices ringing out through the forest.

Rylan grinned and held Izzy close as their friends congratulated them. And for the first time in years, he felt whole. Surrounded by the people—and the dog—who had helped him reclaim his life, he couldn’t imagine why he’d ever thought he didn’t want this.

This was peace.

This was home.

And now, it was forever.