Page 24 of Wrecked on the Mountain

When's the last time anyone gave me something that felt this... thoughtful?

Dr. Richardson's flowers were an obligation. A professional courtesy.

This is something entirely different.

This is someone paying attention. Someone noticing that I was cold and under-prepared and maybe a little lost. Not just in the mountains, or this new town… but in life.

This is some who's noticed, and wants to help. To take care of me.

Oh no.

My hands are actually shaking as I set the map down.

Oh no oh no oh no.

I'm in trouble. Deep, inappropriate, workplace-romance trouble with a man who's technically my boss and who probably does this for everyone and who I've known for exactly three days.

My phone is in my hand before I can stop myself.

"Piper," I say the second she answers. "I need an emergency consultation."

"What happened? Are you hurt? Did you fall off a cliff?"

"Worse." I stare at the care package spread across my counter. "I think my boss is secretly romancing me with hiking gloves and lemon cookies."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"He left a care package on my porch. Expensive stuff, Piper. Like, really nice gear. And homemade cookies from his mother's recipe. And..." I pick up the map again, tracing the careful lines with my finger. "And a hand-drawn map to his favorite sunrise spot."

"Oh my God." Piper's voice is pure delight. "Oh my GOD, Brooke! You've been there what, three days? Are you about to go full cabin-wife fantasy? Because I am here for this."

"This is not funny!"

"This is hilarious. And also incredibly romantic. Do you know how long it's been since you called me about a man? Do you remember the last guy you were excited about?"

I think about it and come up empty.

"Dr. Richardson doesn't count," Piper continues. "That disaster was more like a workplace hostage situation than a relationship."

"We are not talking about Dr. Richardson."

"He told me he misses you today. Asked how you were doing. Should I tell him?"

"Stop."

"Fine. Tell me about the map. What kind of map?"

I describe it in detail—the careful handwriting, the personal notes, the little heart next to the best viewpoint.

But my mind is already drifting back to patrol duty today. That moment on the trail when I slipped on that hidden patch of ice. How quickly Jamie moved with those reflexes, how he was catching me before I even registered I was falling.

His hands were so warm against mine. Strong. Steady. The way he looked at me when our bodies collided... like he was seeing something in me no one else had bothered to look for.

I had to go for a run the second I got home, just to forget the feeling of his fingers wrapped around mine.

Just to outpace the memory of how safe I felt wrapped in those big, impressive muscles.

How wanted. Howdesired.