ETS / 3R

Originally begun with the title "Escape the Storm", this story is about a young woman who runs away from an abusive home. She grew up with Peter Finner as her stepfather, but he never adopted her, so when she runs away the only one she leaves behind is her mother, Cheryl.

But her getaway is foiled not by Peter or his henchmen. It's put to the test by a raging river. The creek is swollen after the storm that passed through the night before. Now she must find a way to cross it, or be captured--probably beaten, maybe even tortured--by Peter or his men. She takes the risk. And that's where Dylan Richmond comes into the picture.

Dylan is a mountain recluse now--three years after the deaths of his young son and wife. He doesn't know what to do with himself any longer. Not after he was unable to put his medical knowledge to good use. Both times when he would have given anything to know what to do, he froze.

As a result, they died. His wife of four years. His son--only three years old. Some called him a toddler. Others said he was still a baby. Dylan labeled him only as: "son".

On that day, Dylan couldn't resist helping someone--saving someone's life again. He figured it was what his wife would want. He definitely knew it was what his son would have learned, had he lived.

Seeing that the woman he pulls from the raging river is too weak to walk--almost unconscious, in fact--Dylan carries her to his cabin. He cares for her there, ignoring the many questions she asks as often as possible.