Page 7 of Rescued By the Brooding Mountain Hero

I try putting myself in her headspace, imagining which trail I’d take as a newcomer to the mountain. The realization hits me like a bolt of lightning: Jade would have gone for the most dramatic, treacherous option possible—Widow's Path.

"Damn it, Jade," I mutter under my breath, my knuckles white on the steering wheel as I take the turn off the main road. The trail entrance looms ahead, nearly obscured by the sheets of rain. I pull over and kill the engine, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Shouldering my pack, I step out into the maelstrom. The wind howls in my ears, the rain instantly soaking through my jacket. I squint against the onslaught, scanning the trailhead for any sign of Jade.

A flash of red catches my eye - a scrap of fabric snagged on a low-hanging branch. I snatch it up, recognizing it as the same color as Jade's backpack. She was here. And if I don't find her soon, she might never make it off this mountain alive.

Gritting my teeth, I plunge into the forest, the storm raging around me. I won't stop until I find her.

7

JADE

The deafening crack of thunder jolts through my body as I stumble down the slick, muddy trail, desperate to get back to the resort. Blinding sheets of rain pummel my face, the icy droplets mixing with hot, panicked tears. What was I thinking, ignoring his warnings out of stubbornness? I'm so fucking stupid. He's a mountain rescuer, for crying out loud. Of course he was trying to protect me.

My lungs burn as I gasp for breath, my pack weighing me down like an anchor. I can barely see through the relentless downpour, each flash of lightning illuminating the treacherous path for a split second before plunging me back into near darkness.

I slip on a loose rock, my ankle twisting painfully as I crash to the ground. Mud splatters across my face, and I let out a strangled sob, fear gripping my heart like a vice.

Forcing myself back to my feet, I limp onward, each step sending shockwaves of agony through my leg. The storm rages on, the wind howling like a vengeful spirit. I've never felt so small, so helpless against the raw power of nature.

My mind flashes to Beau, his rugged face etched with concern as he warned me not to go. I'd brushed him off, too caught up in my own ambition to heed his advice. Now, as the storm threatens to swallow me whole, I'd give anything to see his strong, steady presence materialize through the rain.

The wind howls like a deranged banshee as I desperately scan my surroundings for any hint of shelter. My heart pounds in my ears, nearly drowned out by the relentless pounding of the rain. I can barely feel my fingers, numbed by the icy deluge.

There! Up ahead, a rocky outcropping juts from the mountainside, offering a sliver of hope. I summon the last dregs of my strength, forcing my battered legs to carry me forward. Each step is a Herculean effort, my ankle screaming in protest as I claw my way over the slick, treacherous terrain.

I'm nearly there when a blinding flash of lightning illuminates the sky, followed by an earth-shattering boom that rattles my bones. I stumble, my hands scraping against the jagged rocks as I struggle to maintain my balance.

Just a few more steps. I can make it. I have to make it.

With a final, desperate lunge, I throw myself into the meager protection of the outcropping. My body collides with the hard ground, the impact knocking the wind from my lungs. I lie there, gasping and shivering, as the storm rages on.

And then, a new sound joins the cacophony of the thunder and rain—a strange, almost otherworldly clatter, growing louder by the second. I lift my head, squinting through the downpour, and my blood runs cold.

Hailstones, each the size of a grapefruit, hurtle from the sky like frozen missiles. They shatter against the rocks mere feet from where I lie, the shards ricocheting in all directions. I curl into a tight ball, my arms wrapped around my head as I pray for the onslaught to end.

I huddle against the freezing rock; my body wracked with sobs as I try to avoid the hailstones as best I can. The icy rain pelts my skin, each drop a stinging reminder of my stubborn foolishness. How could I have been so stupid, so reckless? I should have listened to Beau, heeded his warnings.

But no, I had to let my pride get in the way. I couldn't stand the thought of some ruggedly handsome mountain man telling me what to do. So I brushed him off, ignored his concerns, and charged headlong into this nightmare.

Now, as I cower in the meager shelter of the outcropping, I can't help but think of him. His strong, steady presence, the way his blue eyes seemed to see right through my bravado. If I'd just dropped the attitude and given him a chance, I might be with him right now, safe and warm. Maybe even enjoying his company. But instead, I treated him like he was nothing. Like his words meant nothing. And now, I'm paying the price.

Tears continue to stream down my face, mixing with the icy rain. I've never felt so alone, so utterly helpless. The storm shows no signs of abating, and I can feel my strength waning with each passing minute.

I think of Beau again, and a fresh wave of regret washes over me. He was the first gorgeous man ever to look out for me, ever to show genuine concern for my well-being. And I repaid him with sarcasm and disdain.

If I make it out of this alive, I swear I'll make it right. I'll find him, and I'll apologize. I'll tell him how much his words meant and how much I appreciate him looking out for me.

But first, I have to survive. I have to hold on, to cling to the hope that somehow I'll make it through this. And maybe, just maybe, Beau will come for me. Maybe he'll brave the storm, just as he braves the mountains every day, and find me.

I know it’s a foolish hope, but it’s all I have left. So I close my eyes, hugging my knees to my chest, and I pray. I pray forstrength, courage, and the chance to make things right with the man who tried to save me from myself.

8

BEAU

The icy rain lashes my face as I charge up the muddy trail, my headlamp barely piercing the suffocating darkness now I'm in thick forest. Another flash of lightning splits the sky, illuminating the treacherous path for a split second before plunging me back into a world of shadows and sheets of water.

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