Epilogue - Axel
One month later
“Risky, no begging,” I say, though my stern tone fails completely when the dog gives me those big pleading eyes. Mom slides him a piece of roast beef anyway, sharing a conspiratorial wink with Nina.
“I saw that,” I mutter.
"Saw what?" Mom asks innocently, passing the mashed potatoes to Troy. “Nina, honey, you need to eat more.”
Nina laughs, the sound music to my ears. “That’s the first time anyone’s ever told me that. And I'm eating plenty, Josie. Your cooking is impossible to resist.”
Sunday dinner at the Blake household is chaos as usual. Hunter and Marcus are arguing about new climbing gear, Troy is telling Logan about a medical training course he wants to attend, and Ryder's unusually quiet, checking his phone every few minutes. Mom presides over it all, somehow keeping us in check.
And now Nina's part of it too. She fits here like she was always meant to be; laughing at Troy's terrible jokes, discussing trail maps with Hunter, helping Mom in the kitchen. When Nina laughs, I catch Mom watching her with that soft expression reserved for family.
“How's the shoulder?” Troy asks me, ever the medic. Heavy rain is drumming against the window outside.
“Fine,” I reply automatically.
Nina squeezes my hand. “He's still doing his physical therapy exercises. Even though he complains the entire time.”
“Traitor,” I grumble, but she grins, sliding her hand under the table to squeeze my thigh.
I've never been so comfortable with someone, so quickly. She stayed at my place that first week after the accident, taking care of me despite my grumpiness. Now we're practically living together, splitting time between her apartment and my cabin.
Logan looks up from his phone. “We’ve got the latest data in. Our response times have improved fifteen percent.”
“That's all Nina,” I say, unable to keep the pride from my voice. “Her trail markers project fixed a lot of the gaps.”
Nina blushes at the praise. “It was a team effort.”
“Huge storm’s coming in hot.” Ryder says abruptly, looking at his phone. “Barometric pressure's dropping fast. National Weather Service just issued an advisory.” He glances at his watch, then out the window where dark clouds are visible on the horizon.
“How bad?” Logan asks, instantly alert.
“Category two, possibly upgrading to three. High winds, even heavier rain. Mountain conditions will be hazardous for days.”
The room shifts subtly, all of us switching to work mode. Nina catches my eye, her expression mirroring my thoughts. Bad weather means potential rescues.
“I should head back to town,” Ryder says, standing. “Need to secure the chopper before this hits us worse.”
Before anyone can move, Ryder's phone rings. His face changes when he sees the caller ID, something I can't quite read flashing across his features.
“Ryder Blake,” he answers, stepping away from the table. The rest of us continue eating, but Logan’s watching him closely.
“When?” Ryder's voice sharpens. “Alone?" A pause. “No, I understand. I'll handle it.”
He returns to the table, his expression grim. “That was Henry from the diner. Frankie went up to check on her grandmother's cabin this morning. She was supposed to be back by five. No one's heard from her.”
Nina looks concerned. “Could Frankie be waiting out the storm up there?”
“Cabin doesn't have a landline,” Ryder says, already heading for the door. “And cell service is spotty at best up there.”
“The chopper's not safe in these conditions,” Logan raises his voice, rising from his chair. “She’ll be sheltering at the cabin.”
Ryder ignores him, grabbing his jacket. “I know the approach. I can get in and out before the worst hits.”
“Bro. Frankie’s a local girl, she knows the mountains.” I say, recognizing the wild look in my brother's eyes.
“I'll take that under advisement,” Ryder says coolly, and we all know he's going up regardless. The door bangs behind him.
Logan sighs. “Hunter, gear up. We'll take the trail on foot in case Frankie tried to come down that way. It's longer but more sheltered. It’s worth checking.” He turns to Mom. “Sorry to cut dinner short.”
She waves a hand. “Go. Be careful.”
The room erupts into motion. Hunter’s grabbing emergency packs and Logan’s pulling on his jacket. I start to reach for my own jacket, but Nina's hand on my arm stops me.
“Your shoulder,” she reminds me quietly.
I want to argue, but she's right. I'm still not cleared for rescue operations, as much as it kills me to stay behind. “I can at least coordinate from base.”
We're out the door in minutes, dashing to get into my truck. The distant sound of the chopper's engine revving up follows us as we drive toward town.
We reach the base as the storm intensifies, rain lashing the windows as lightning flashes. Logan and Hunter have already headed out, equipped with emergency gear and satellite phones. I join Nina at the communications desk. She's in her element here, coordinating with county emergency services, tracking the storm's path, keeping all channels open.
“You're amazing,” I tell her when there's a brief lull.
She looks up, surprised. “Just doing my job.”
“No. You're extraordinary at your job, of course. But that's not what I meant.”
“What did you mean?” she asks, her eyes soft.
“I meant you . Everything about you. The way you jumped right into this crazy family. How you handle crises without flinching. The fact that you put up with me.”
She smiles, that smile that still makes my breath catch. “Putting up with you is the easy part.”
“Is it?”
She stands, stepping into my space. “Even when you're grumpy.”
“I'm not grumpy,” I protest automatically.
“You’re definitely less grumpy than when I first met you!” She rises on tiptoe to kiss me.
I wrap my arms around her, holding her close as the storm rages outside. A month ago, I was alone on a mountain, clinging to a rope with nothing but faith that I'd make it back to her. Now she's here, solid and real in my arms, and I still can't quite believe my luck.
“Move in with me,” I say against her lips.
She pulls back slightly, eyes searching mine. “What?”
“Move in with me. Officially. We're at my place half the time anyway.”
“Your cabin is tiny,” she says, but she's smiling.
“We can look for something bigger. Or renovate. Or stay in your apartment. I don't care where, as long as we're together.”
Her fingers trace my jawline. “Are you sure? It's only been a month.”
“I've been sure since that night on the mountain. The first time you looked up at me on that ridge in your ridiculous sequined jacket.”
She laughs, the sound warming me from the inside out. “That jacket was a tragedy.”
“It brought you to me,” I say, pulling her closer. “So I'd call it lucky.”
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes, I'll move in with you.” She kisses me again, deeper this time. “Though I reserve the right to veto any residence without adequate closet space.”
“Deal,” I agree, smiling.
Outside, the storm is fierce. But in this moment, with Nina in my arms, I've never felt more certain about anything.
Some risks are worth taking.
And some loves are worth everything.
Don’t miss Ryder and Frankie’s story in Her Rescuer
Youngest Blake brother, Zander, gets his story in His Obsession - part of the Snowflake Falls Fire Department series.