Page 31 of Wrecked on the Mountain
"A very official hat."
Fuck. This is too good. The horror on their faces is absolutely priceless.
"Well," Brooke says, lifting her chin with confidence. "As the team's medical officer and only temporary member, I assume my name won't be included."
I let my gaze drop deliberately to the purple mug in her gloved hands, then step close enough that I have to look down at her.
"Funny thing about assumptions, sweetheart," I say, my voice dropping low as I lean in just enough to catch that hint of perfume that's been lingering in my truck for days. "You've been using my gifts for three days without so much as a thank you."
The scent of her makes my balls tighten and my pulse spike.
"That tells me," I continue, letting my breath ghost across her ear, "you're already part of this team."
Her cheeks flush deep pink, and I watch her throat work as she swallows. "I was going to thank you—"
"When?" I murmur, not backing away. "After you talked your way out of the polar plunge?"
I can practically see her brain scrambling for a medical argument while her body responds to my proximity.
"Besides," I add, letting my fingers brush against hers as I gesture to the mug, "temporary or not, you're wearing the uniform. You're part of the team. Your name goes in the hat."
"Jamie," she says finally. "Exactly how cold is this water going to be?"
I meet her gaze, letting my grin turn predatory.
"Cold enough to make it interesting. But don't worry," I continue, unable to resist pushing just a little further. "I'll be standing by with warm blankets and hot chocolate. It's my job to make sure whoever draws the short straw gets properly... warmed up afterward."
Color floods her cheeks, and I can see her pulse fluttering at the base of her throat, the sight making me want to latch on and suck as hard as I possibly can just to hear her moan my name.
"That's very... thorough of you," she manages.
"Okay. This is getting weird." Chase clears his throat loudly. "So when exactly are we drawing these names?"
I reluctantly tear my gaze away from Brooke's flushed face. "Right now, actually. Martha's just pulled up with the rest of the crew and she's got the official hat. We'll do it by the main stage."
As we start walking toward the center of the festival, I can't stop thinking about the possibilities. The hat's got six names in it, which means there's a one-in-six chance I'll get to see Dr. Brooke Shields soaking wet and shivering.
Fuck.The mental image alone has me adjusting my stance.
"You're enjoying this way too much," Beau mutters beside me.
"Just supporting local charity," I reply innocently.
The crowd around the main stage is growing as word spreads. I spot my parents near the front, Mom clutching Dad's arm with excitement. Behind them, Etta and Mabel have abandoned their booth entirely, probably hoping for maximum romantic drama.
Martha's arrived and set up at a small table with an honest-to-God top hat that she probably borrowed from the community theater. The woman takes her administrative duties seriously.
"Alright, people!" I call out, stepping up to address the growing crowd. "Time for the main event!"
The festival buzz quiets as everyone turns toward the stage.
"As you all know, Mountain Rescue puts on a charity event every year," I continue, my voice carrying easily across thecrowd. "This year, we're doing something special. One member of our team will be taking the plunge into Willow Lake to raise money for the new Stone River Medical Center!"
Cheers and applause ripple through the crowd, along with a few sympathetic groans.
I gesture toward the lake that rests behind Bear Paw Café. A dunking platform has been set up—a professional-grade operation with safety railings and a heated recovery area that looks like it belongs at a luxury spa.
"The water temperature," I announce with a grin, "is currently just above freezing.Barely."
