Page 89 of Wrecked on the Mountain

Without a word, she spins on the spot and reaches into her apron pocket. She flashes me a look that makes me shiver, then produces a small velvet box.

My stomach drops to my boots.

The box is navy blue. Tiffany & Co. embossed in gold letters that might as well be branded on my retinas I stared at that fucking thing for so long.

"I know you swore you'd never want to see this again after Rebecca..."

The ring. Rebecca's engagement ring.

"Mom, what are you doing?" I spit out through a suddenly dry throat. "get that thing away from me. It's tainted."

She scoffs, rolls her eyes and grabs me by the wrist, placing the box in my hands.Fuck.It feels like holding a live grenade in the battlefield all over again.

"Mom, no—"

"That girl out there loves you, Jamie." She cuts me off, like this isn't a discussion. "Really loves you. And you love her."

"It's been three weeks, Mom. We're not—"

"Enough. Sometimes you just know, son. Your father proposed to me after two weeks, and look at us. Four children, a happy home and a wonderful life together. Believe me, love at first sight is a real thing."

I stare at the box, my thumb tracing the worn velvet.

Inside is a two-carat solitaire that cost me three months' military pay and a year of planning. The ring I picked out when I thought I understood what forever looked like.

Even if Iwasthinking about proposing—which I'm not, because three weeks is insane—there's no way in hell I'd give Brooke this ring.

This thing is cursed. Tainted with lies and broken promises and a woman who looked me in the eye and said Stone River would never be enough.

Brooke deserves something pure. Something that's only hers.

Not Rebecca's leftovers.

"No, Mom. It's different now. This feels too fast. Too soon."

"Then just keep it. Think about it." Mom's hand covers mine, warm and a hell of a lot steadier than mine right now. "But Jamie, don't let old fears make the decision for you. Let it go. Move on."

Through the curtain, I can hear Brooke laughing at something Dad said, that genuine laugh that makes her eyes crinkle. The sound anchors me and terrifies me in equal measure.

I pocket the ring, feeling its weight settle against my leg.

Mom gives me a wink and when we return to the main shop, Brooke is selecting white flowers from the cooler, her face soft with concentration.

"Everything okay?" she asks, noticing whatever expression is plastered across my face. "You look a little pale."

"Perfect," I lie, stuffing my hands in my pocket to try and hide the bulge the ring might be making. "I was just… helping Mom."

Mom appears with that smile that's been getting me in trouble since birth. "Jamie's always been my helpful one. He's always—"

"Yeah. Thanks. Bye, Mom!"

I grab Brooke by the arm and leave the shop with an armload of flowers, my mind racing between the spa resort, Piper's impending visit, and the ring now weighing heavy in my pocket.

Chapter Twenty

Brooke

I stop breathing when Jamie opens the door to our suite at Cascade Springs Resort.