Page 102 of Wrecked on the Mountain

Even if they don't want me at the station beyond my contract, maybe I'd be happy working alongside Chloe? The afternoon I spent there volunteering for something to do was amazing.

Piper's face changes, her fork stopping halfway to her mouth.

"Brooke," she says carefully. "We need to talk."

The warmth drains from Piper's face, replaced by something that looks almost... guilty.

"What do we need to talk about?" I ask, though my stomach is already dropping like I'm back on that helicopter.

Piper sets down her fork and reaches into her purse, pulling out her phone. She scrolls through something, her perfectly French-tipped nails tapping against the screen.

"Brooke..." she starts, then stops. Takes a breath and shows me her phone. "The hospital wants you back."

"Wants me for what?" I laugh, but I'm staring at a vacant job advertisement with my old workplace's logo front and center. "Piper, what is this?"

"Head of Trauma Surgery."

I actually lean back in the booth, my hand dropping to the table.

"That's... that's impossible. They don't want me. They're the ones who basically told me to leave. They asked you to push this temp job on me, didn't they?"

"Yes. To rest," Piper corrects firmly. "But now... God, Brooke. Your Chicago work, your publications, your surgical outcomes… they're all legendary. Dr. Hughes is retiring early, and he says the board has specifically asked for you. Not just any trauma surgeon.YOU."

My mouth opens, but no sound comes out.

Head of Trauma Surgery.

The position I've been chasing since I was nine years old, curled up in that uncomfortable plastic hospital chair beside my father's bed, my small hand clutching his while machines beeped their mechanical lullabies around us.

Through broken dreams that ended way too soon that night, I promised him through tears that I'd save everyone I could. That I'd be the doctor who never gave up. Who never let families feel the crushing weight of helplessness that was suffocating me in that moment.

This job would be the golden pinnacle of everything I've sacrificed, bled for, and lost sleep over… all handed to me on a silver platter.

Piper takes my hand from across the table, sensing my deflated state.

I shake my head as I look at her. "But I just said I'm staying here..."

"I know, babe. But I had to at least tell you."

"Yeah, I guess."

Piper leans forward, her eyes bright with excitement that I should be sharing but somehow can't.

"The salary alone is staggering. Plus performance bonuses. That college research funding that you always wanted. I heard they even gave the last department head a luxury apartment allowance. You know that penthouse overlooking the city? The one we used to walk past after our shifts and joke about living in someday? Yeah, that's his."

The cozy tavern suddenly feels too small, too warm. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears, drowning out the country music and friendly chatter around us.

This is my dream job. The pinnacle of everything I've worked toward. The position that would make my father proud, that would justify every sleepless night, every missed meal, every relationship I never had time to build.

Everything I thought I wanted.

"They need an answer soon," Piper continues, misreading my stunned silence as excitement. "I know it's fast, but opportunities like this don't come around often. Like, ever. Department head positions at General don't open up for decades, and for good reason."

My phone buzzes against the table, the profile name ofMountain Daddylighting up the screen.

The nickname that used to make me grin now makes my chest ache, remembering how smug he looked when he changed it, like he was claiming me in the most ridiculous, wonderful way.

Hope you're having fun with Piper. Can't wait to hear all about dinner. I love you.