Page 35 of Wrecked on the Mountain

This is insane. This is the opposite of every careful, controlled decision I've made in my adult life.

My birthdays have always felt lonely ever since Dad wasn't around to put a candle in my favorite sprinkle donut anymore, but this... this takes terrible birthdays to a whole new level.

Yet for some reason, standing here in a ridiculous t-shirt about to be dunked in a freezing lake, I feel more alive than I have in months.

"Do it," I say.

Jamie's eyes lock with mine across the distance, and for a moment the crowd noise fades away as we stare at each other for what feels like forever.

Then he winks.

The bastard actuallywinksat me before yanking the big red lever.

The platform drops and I plunge into water so cold it feels like being stabbed with a thousand tiny ice daggers. The shock hits my system like a freight train—every nerve ending screaming, lungs seizing, muscles contracting involuntarily.

Holy fucking shit that's cold.

I surface gasping, every breath a visible puff of steam in the frigid air. The crowd is going absolutely insane, cheering and applauding like I've just performed some miraculous feat instead of simply not drowning.

There's music blaring across the speakers but I can't make out the song. My ears are burning I'm that fucking frozen.

"How you doing down there, Doc?" Jamie calls out, and I can hear the laughter in his voice.

"Fantastic!" I manage to gasp out, treading water that feels like liquid nitrogen. "This is exactly how I wanted to spend my—"

I catch myself before I finish that sentence, but something in Jamie's expression sharpens, like he heard what I almost said.

"Let's get you out of there before you actually freeze," he says, and suddenly the teasing and performance is gone, replaced by something more serious.

Strong hands pull me out of the water—I think it's Chase and Beau working together—and immediately I'm wrapped in heated towels that feel like heaven against my frozen skin.

"You did amazing!" Betty crows, appearing with a steaming mug of something warm. "Drink this, honey."

The hot chocolate is perfect. Rich and warm and exactly the sugar spike that my shocked system needs. The crowd is stillcheering, people calling out congratulations and taking pictures, and despite the fact that I can't feel my toes, I find myself smiling and waving like some kind of sports hero.

"Let's get you in the warming tent," Jamie says firmly, his hand on my elbow as he guides me through the crowd. "Now."

Returning to the warming tent is like stepping into paradise. Space heaters glow in every corner, and it's warm enough that I immediately stop shivering.

"That was incredible!" Chase says as the team follows us inside. "You're officially a Stone River legend now."

"The crowd loved it," Beau adds with a rough chuckle. "Credit to you, you've got guts, Doc."

Betty bustles around, making sure I have enough towels and hot chocolate, while Martha documents everything with photos and an official charity event log.

"Alright, everyone out," Jamie says after a few minutes. "Doctor's orders. She needs to warm up properly."

"Since when do you give medical orders?" I ask, but I'm laughing because the whole situation is so ridiculous.

"Since I'm the one in charge of aftercare," he replies, and there's something in his tone that makes heat spread through my chest.

The team files out, leaving Betty for last. She pats my shoulder maternally and presses another mug of hot chocolate into my hands.

"You did wonderful, dear," she says. "Jamie, you take good care of our brave doctor. She's one of us now."

I smile back at her and then it's just me and the man who dunked me in a freezing cold lake moments ago.

Jamie moves to close the tent flap, and suddenly the space feels much smaller, more intimate. He turns back to me and holds up the massive fluffy robe I wore earlier.