Page 13 of Wrecked on the Mountain (Stone River Mountain #2)

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 actually winks at 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 still cheering, 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.

"Come here," he says softly.

I stand and he wraps the robe around me, his hands linger on my shoulders as he adjusts the collar, his fingertips brushing against my collarbone with deliberate gentleness. The weight of his touch sends a cascade of warmth through my body, like three space heaters humming through my veins.

"Better?" he asks, blue eyes sparkling down at me.

He's close enough that I can smell his aftershave, see the concern in his eyes as he checks to make sure I'm warm enough.

"Much." I can't stop smiling. "You know, that wasn't nearly as terrible as I expected."

"Told you I'd take care of you," he says, his hands moving to rub warmth back into my arms through the robe. "And we raised a lot of money by the sounds of it."

"That's fantastic. I'm glad it was worth it. And I have to admit…" I take a breath and smile. "Now that it's done… that was kind of fun."

Jamie grins and suddenly we're standing so close that I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. His hands are still rubbing warmth into my arms, but the movements have slowed, become more deliberate.

More... intimate.

Those devastating blue eyes are darker now, studying my face like he's memorizing every detail.

And there's something different in his expression.

Like the teasing confidence he usually has is slowly transforming into something deeper… like he has something he wants to say.

Then his gaze drops to my mouth and I can barely breathe.

"Brooke," he says quietly, his voice rougher now.

There's a muscle ticking in his jaw, like he's fighting some internal battle, and when he steps closer my heart starts pounding so hard I'm sure he can hear it.

"Happy birthday."

The words hit me like another shock of icy cold water. I stare at him, speechless, because how could he possibly know?

"How did you—"

"Small town," he says with a smile. "Martha's very thorough with her paperwork. Your employment file had your birth date."

"I didn't tell anyone," I whisper.

"I know." He smiles down at me, taking another step closer so our bodies are practically touching. "But you should have. In my team, birthdays are supposed to be celebrated."

"I don't usually—"

"If you'd met me at the sunrise spot like I hoped you would," he continues, eyes locked on my lips, "maybe your present would have been different."

My heart starts pounding.

"What kind of different?" I ask.

He smirks, and instead of answering, he reaches up to cup my face in his hands. His palms are warm against my cheeks, and when his thumb brushes across my lower lip, I can't suppress the small gasp that escapes.

"Tomorrow morning," he says, his voice low and rough. "Sunrise. Will you meet me there?"

"Yes," I whisper without hesitation.

"Good." He leans closer, and I can feel his breath against my lips. "Because I've been wanting to do this since the first day I saw you."

He leans down and captures my lips with his, and it's like being plunged into warm water after the cold. A complete shock of heat and sensation makes every nerve ending sing in my body.

His lips are soft but firm, moving against mine with a confidence that makes my knees weak.

I drop the hot chocolate mug somewhere behind me, spilling the contents to the floor as I reach up to grip his jacket, pulling him closer.

He makes a low sound in his throat and deepens the kiss, one hand tangling in my still-damp hair while the other presses against my back, bringing my body closer to his.

When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," he murmurs against my forehead.

And for the first time in years, it actually feels like one.