Page 109 of Searching for Valor

Izzy lifted her head to meet his gaze, her eyes shining with warmth and a hint of mischief. “I’d say that was a pretty damn good start to making up for lost time.”

“Start, huh? You planning on keeping me busy all night, darlin’?”

“All night,” she confirmed, trailing her fingers down his chest. “And well into tomorrow if you’re up for it.”

His cock twitched inside her at the promise in her words. “Sweetheart, when it comes to you, I’m always up for it.”

Izzy’s laugh was rich and throaty. She shifted, wincing slightly as she disentangled their bodies. “But first, I think we both need a little recovery time.”

Rylan immediately missed the heat of her wrapped around him, but he knew she was right. He reached for the tissues on the nightstand, cleaning them both up before tossing the used ones in the trash.

When he lay back down, she curled up against his side, her head pillowed on his chest. He stroked her back, reveling in the silky feel of her skin beneath his fingers.

“I missed you so much,” she whispered, tracing his jawline with her fingertips.

He turned his head to press a kiss to her palm. “I missed you too, darlin’. More than I can say.”

She snuggled closer, draping her leg over his. “I know we still have a lot to talk about, to work through...”

“We do,” he agreed, delving his fingers into her hair. It was so soft, and he loved the way the strands felt like silk between his fingers. “But right now, I just want to hold you. We’ve got time for all the rest.”

Yes, they had time. Time for long talks and heart-to-hearts, for apologies and promises and plans. Time for healing and forgiveness. Time for rediscovering each other and building something stronger than before.

A whole lifetime’s worth of time, if he had any say in it.

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 knowhow 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.

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