He knew that. He felt the heat, sensed the danger, but he walked into the flames willingly. As Gretchen had slept in his arms, he’d done nothing but think about the past: what she’d been through, how she’d survived, what she’d given up. Within twenty-four hours, the entire focus of his life had changed. He hadn’t had even a second’s thought about work, everything that had gotten him out of bed for the last ten years. He simply didn’t care about any of that anymore. The only woman he’d ever loved was back, damaged and hurting, and his only thoughts were of her. Bear Stream meant nothing. The valley would change or not change, survive or not survive; he simply didn’t care. Gretchen would not spend another second of any day alone and hurting. Somehow, some way, they would be together. He would help her put the pain behind her and move forward. He would make sure Ryan Lowry never touched her or hurt her ever again. He rinsed the dishes and washed them with soap and cold water.
