Epilogue
Just like their owners.
Noah leaned against the doorframe, savoring the way Sabrina’s presence filled spaces he’d never realized were waiting for her exact shape.
It had been two weeks since she’d shown up with a moving truck and the most extraordinary declaration of love he’d ever witnessed.
Two weeks of waking up beside her every morning, of shared training sessions, of building something real and lasting and more spectacular than anything he’d ever dared to imagine.
The woman who’d once run from the mere suggestion of commitment now moved through his space like she’d always belonged here—because she had.
They’d just needed a little time to figure that out.
Her hiking boots stood beside his at the door, her jacket hung on the peg next to his, her clutter mingled with his in the kind of perfect chaos that felt like home.
“Are you going to help with breakfast or just stand there staring?” Sabrina asked without turning around, that sixth sense of hers picking up on his presence.
“Definitely just staring.” He grinned, pushing off from the doorframe to cross the kitchen. “The view’s too good to miss.”
She turned, coffee pot in hand, and the smile she gave him did that thing to his insides—a sensation that still caught him off guard. Every time.
“Smooth talker,” she said, but the pink tinge climbing her neck told him she didn’t mind. “Save it for after we finish the training report for Reynolds.”
“You’re the one who wanted to become an official SAR team,” he reminded her, accepting the mug she handed him. Their fingers brushed, and even that small contact carried a current that he hoped lasted until they were both old and gray.
“Best decision I ever made.” She leaned against the counter, studying him over the rim of her own mug. “Though I maintain that Reynolds’s face when I told him will remain the highlight of my career. He actually looked impressed.”
Noah laughed. “As he should be. Team Colton-West is already making waves. He mentioned that three other freelance agencies have called asking about our track record.”
“Good. I can’t wait to become known as the best team in Utah.”
“Speaking of the job—” He paused, remembering she’d mentioned the selection committee would be contacting the district ranger applicants this morning. “Did they call you yet?”
Something flashed across Sabrina’s face. “Oh, that. Yeah, they called.”
“And?” He couldn’t help the anticipation building in his chest. She’d worked so hard for this, competed ferociously against Bonner for months. The promotion had been her driving goal since before they’d met.
“I got it. And I turned it down.”
None of those were words he’d prepared to hear. “You what?”
Sabrina shrugged, but the gesture wasn’t casual. It carried the weight of careful consideration. “I declined the position. Informally. I have to go do some form to make it official.”
Noah set his coffee down, trying to process what this meant. “Sabrina, you’ve been gunning for that promotion since day one. Beating Bonner was your whole mission.”
“It was.” She met his gaze steadily. “But missions change. Priorities shift.”
“Was it because of us? Because if you think I wouldn’t support—”
“It wasn’t about us,” she interrupted, though her expression softened. “Or not directly, anyway. It was about me. What I want now versus what I thought I needed then.”
Noah studied her face, searching for any hint of regret or sacrifice. He found none. Just clear-eyed certainty.
“Tell me more,” he said simply.
“The district ranger position—” she crossed her arms, leaning back against the counter “—I wanted it for all the wrong reasons. To prove I was better than Bonner. To validate myself to Reynolds, to my father, to everyone who ever doubted me. It was never about the actual job.”
Noah nodded, understanding dawning. This was the Sabrina he’d fallen for at her brutally honest, fierce self.
“But SAR work, that’s different.” Her eyes lit up in that way that made his heart stutter. “It’s not about being better than anyone else. It’s about being the best version of myself, pushing my own limits, making a real difference. And doing it with the right partner.”
Brightness bloomed in his chest, expanding with every word. This wasn’t Sabrina sacrificing her ambitions. This was Sabrina evolving, choosing her path not out of defiance or competition, but authentic desire.
He was so amazed by her.
“Besides,” she added with a smirk, “Reynolds asked if I’d consider heading up the new K-9 division instead. Building it from the ground up, my way. I told him I’d think about it.”
Noah couldn’t help the grin spreading across his face. “Let me guess. You’re thinking it might pair well with a certain SAR team’s training schedule?”
“Convenient, isn’t it?” She matched his grin. “Almost like I planned it.”
“You’re brilliant, no doubt,” he agreed, pulling her against him. “I’m impressed.”
“You should be. I’m very impressive.” She looped her arms around his neck, the teasing light in her eyes warming to something deeper. “So, is this the part where you tell me you’re proud of me for choosing what I really want instead of what I thought I should want?”
“Nope.” He brushed his lips against her forehead. “This is the part where I say I’ve never been more certain that you’re the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met. And that I fall more in love with you every day.”
Her expression turned serious. “Even when I’m not trying to be the best at everything?”
“Especially then.” He tightened his arms around her. “Though I’ll admit, watching you outperform everyone in the room does have its appeal.”
“Good.” She relaxed against him. “Because I plan to crush the K-9 division certification course next month.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
Their comfortable moment was interrupted by Dancer’s sharp bark. The lab had moved to the window, ears perked toward something outside. Ripley joined him, both dogs suddenly alert.
“Must be the delivery guy with our new training equipment,” Noah said, reluctantly releasing Sabrina. “Though it’s pretty early for deliveries.”
She moved to the window, peering out. “It’s Jacob,” she reported, already heading for the door. “And he looks like he’s got news.”
Noah followed, doing his best to tamp back his excitement. Jacob rarely made house calls unless something significant had happened. The Annie Ross case had been proceeding slowly, hampered by dead ends and little information.
“Morning,” Jacob greeted them as Sabrina opened the door. His brother looked tired but energized, the way he always did when a case started breaking. “Sorry to drop by unannounced, but I figured you’d want to hear this in person. The woman from the fire? She’s awake.”
Noah felt Sabrina tense beside him, her body practically vibrating with the same anticipation coursing through his veins.
“What did she say?” Noah asked. “Does she know Annie?”
“Don’t know yet,” Jacob replied, a rare smile crossing his features. “That’s why we’re having this conversation. If you want in on this, I’ll give you a ride to the hospital.”
Sabrina was already reaching for her jacket. “Give us five minutes.”
As Jacob waited in his car, they moved through the familiar choreography of grabbing gear, securing the dogs, locking up. It struck Noah how seamlessly they operated now, anticipating each other’s movements, sharing space like they’d always done it.
He’d even told Sabrina how weird everything felt knowing his dad was dating again, how it had colored his memories of his parents together.
They’d talked long into the night about it a few days ago, and he finally felt okay about it.
Okay about a lot of things, even the possibility of never traveling the world again as an investigative reporter.
Why would he want to leave when his whole entire world was right here?
“Ready to chase a lead, Officer West?” he asked as they stepped onto the porch.
“Always, Mr. Colton.” She grinned, that competitive spark lighting her eyes. “Race you to the car.”
“You know I’ll let you win.”
“And you know I don’t need you to.” She brushed a quick kiss across his lips. “That’s why we work.”
As they headed toward Jacob’s waiting vehicle, the morning sun breaking through the clouds, Noah felt that bone-deep certainty again. They had a case to solve, a story to uncover, a life to build, and they were doing it all together, step for step, at full speed, no apologies.
Hurricane Noah had finally found his match, a force of nature just as wild, just as powerful and every bit as unstoppable. One day, he’d ask her to marry him, but on her schedule. When it felt right for both of them.
Meanwhile, the investigation wasn’t over, the story wasn’t finished, but they had all the time in the world to write the ending. Together.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Shadowed Past by Tara Taylor Quinn.