Page 79 of Wrecked on the Mountain

"Jamie... this is incredible. You built this?"

The deckispretty good. Even if I say so myself. Crafted from cedar and positioned to take advantage of the most spectacular view in the entire fucking country. It doesn't get much better than this.

"Took me three summers," I say, pride swelling in my chest as she turns in a slow circle, taking it all in. "Wanted the perfect spot to watch the world wake up."

"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," she whispers, tears shining in her eyes.

I get to work and arranged everything perfectly as Brooke takes it all in.

I set up the heated blankets to drape over our camping chairs, a small pop-out table set with our elaborate breakfast spread, even battery-powered heaters to keep the cold at bay.

But still, as amazing as it all looks, it's got nothing on the view.

As the sun begins to rise, the endless mountains roll toward the horizon, layer upon layer of peaks painted in shades of purple and gold in the pre-dawn light. Stone River is nestled in the valley below like a jewel, the town lights twinkling as people start to wake for the day.

I help Brooke into one of the chairs, wrapping a heated blanket around her shoulders before settling beside her with my arm around her waist.

We eat, laughing and drinking in the open mountain air. It's crisp and clean, filled with pine and the promise of a new day arriving before our very eyes.

And having her here in my sacred space feels like the most natural thing in the world.

"Brooke," I say, my voice rough with emotion as the eastern sky starts to lighten. "I need to tell you something."

She turns to face me, sunrise beginning to paint her face gold, and the words that have been burning in my throat for days finally break free.

"What is it?" She asks, suddenly looking more alert.

"I'm falling in love with you," I say, my heart pounding like I'm about to jump out of an airplane. "Hell, I think I'm already there."

"Oh my God. Jamie…" she whispers.

Her eyes fill with tears, happy tears that spill over as she reaches up to cup my face.

"I know it's fast," I continue, needing to get it all out. "I know you have a life in Chicago, I know this wasn't part of your plan. But watching you with my family last night, seeing how perfectly you fit into my world... I can't pretend anymore. I love you, Brooke. I love your laugh and your stubbornness and the way you make me want to be better than I am."

"You love me," she repeats, like she's testing the words.

"I do. I love you," I confirm. "And I know it's crazy, but I can't fight it. I've tried, because I swore I would never let myself feel like this ever again, but with you, I can't help it."

The sun crests the mountains at that exact moment, flooding the valley with new dawn light, and Brooke's face is radiant as she looks at me.

"I love you too," she says, and my world fuckingtilts. "I've been terrified to admit it, but Jamie... I love you. I love this place, I love your family, I love the man you are when you're taking care of people."

"Brooke…"

"You know what's crazy?" Brooke interrupts, her voice soft as the sunrise grows before us. "I've spent fifteen years trying to save my father through every patient who came through those hospital doors. Working myself to death, thinking that was how I honored his memory."

She gestures to the valley spreading below us, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"But sitting here with you, watching this... I finally get it. Dad wouldn't have wanted me to destroy myself trying to save everyone. He would have wanted me to live. To find peace in places like this."

"Brooke..."

"I'm healing, Jamie. For the first time since I was nine years old, I'm actually healing."

I lean over and kiss her, smiling and tasting the salt from her tears. When we finally break apart, she's looking at me with eyes dark with want that has nothing to do with the sunrise.

"Take me right here," she whispers against my mouth, her hands already reaching for my jacket. "On your deck, with this view. I want you to make love to me in the place that saved you."