22. Coming Soon The Mountains Echo - Jake and Chloes Story
" She's going to get herself killed."
I watch through binoculars as Dr. Chloe Roberts attempts Miller's Ridge again. Alone. In winter conditions.
"Could just offer to help," Marcus suggests, not looking up from his wedding plans with Daisy.
"Not happening." But I don't lower the binoculars. Chloe moves like she was born for the mountain, despite her city background. Each grip is sure, each placement precise.
Until she hits the ice.
"Damn it." I'm moving before I think, grabbing my gear.
"Need backup?" Marcus is already standing.
"Got it." But I pause. "If I'm not back in an hour."
"Copy that."
I take the shorter trail, cutting through dense forest to reach her position. The woman is infuriating, brilliant with medicine but reckless with her own safety.
She's dangling from a safety line when I arrive, cursing creatively.
"Having fun, Doc?"
Her head snaps up. Those amber eyes narrow. "I'm fine."
"Sure." I secure a second line. "That why you're hanging fifty feet up?"
"Training exercise."
"Bullshit."
She swings slightly, trying to reach a foothold.
"Either help or leave," she snaps.
"Those my only options?"
"There's a third involving where you can shove your opinion."
Despite everything, my lips twitch. The woman's got fire.
I climb up smoothly, reaching her position. This close, she smells like antiseptic and something spicier. It's distractingly appealing.
"Show off," she mutters.
"City girl." But I notice her excellent harness setup. "Need a hand?"
"I’d rather fall."
"That can be arranged."
She glares, but there's a hint of amusement in it. "Fine. Help."
I guide her to the nearest ledge, trying to ignore how she feels pressed against me. Once she's secure, I step back.
"Want to tell me what you're really doing up here?"
She studies the valley below. "Training. Like I said."
"For?"
"Mountain rescue certification."
That stops me. "Why?"
"Because." She meets my eyes. "Your team needs a dedicated medic. And I'm tired of waiting for permission."
Damn.
"We don't need—"
"Four incidents this month." She ticks them off. "Tourist with hypothermia. Broken ankle on Eagle Point. Marcus's burn from the fire. Cole's gash from that rockslide."
"We handle it."
"Barely." She stands, getting in my space. "You're good, Jake. All of you are. But you need medical support."
She's not wrong. But having her that close, smelling like adrenaline and determination was annoying.
"Work with me on this," she says softly. "Please."
That word should not affect me like it does.
"Fine." I step back. "But we do this my way."
"Your way?" Her smile is dangerous. "Since when do you own the mountain?"
"Since I'm the one saving your ass from it."
"My ass," she says sweetly, "was doing just fine."
Then she rappels down perfectly, leaving me staring after her.
Impossible woman.
My phone buzzes Marcus.
Need rescue?
I text back:
From her or the mountain?
His response is immediate: Both. Dinner at Trading Post tonight. Both of you. Daisy insists.
Great. More time with the infuriating doctor.
This is going to be trouble.
***