Jessie didn’t answer, face strained as he descended behind Ben and River. She caught a flash of a brightly colored snow jacket on the ground, then the rest of Bree curled up in a ball. River’s heart leapt into her throat at the sight of her friend not moving. Despite how fast Easton and River were climbing, Ben reached her first.

“Hey there,” Ben said as he swept the snow off her nose and mouth, her eyes blinking away the powder in them.

“Well, that was interesting,” Bree managed to pant. “I think I learned to fly.”

“I think you learned the opposite.” River took Ben’s position by Bree’s head, supporting her neck as they worked to clear her. “What were you thinking coming all this way out here?”

“We got up and wanted to get some shots,” she wheezed. “Knew Easton had us on a tight schedule, so we went out here alone. We should have said something.”

Yes, they absolutely should have said something to someone. But River wasn’t going to kick her while she was down and clearly in pain.

“Hey, Bree,” Ben said as he checked her neck for injury. “In case you were wondering, I’m still waiting for you to ask me out on a date.” He flashed Bree a flirtatious look to distract her.

“Hey, Ben, you’re probably going to be waiting for a while,” Bree quipped back, but her face was ashen. When they were sure it was safe for her to move, Bree sat up slowly, hunched sideways and arm tight against her side.

“I think I banged my ribs up.” Bree leaned into River’s shoulder.

“Don’t be too tough,” River told her, wrapping her arm around Bree’s waist to support her upright. “If it hurts, tell us.”

“It hurts.” Closing her eyes, Bree drew in a hard breath.

“I’ve got her, River.”

Ben might not have been Bree’s type, but she sure had a hold on him. Even at the elevation and the exertion of fighting through the powdery snow, Ben still bent over and took over for River. Careful not to put pressure on Bree’s rib cage, he lifted her into his arms, carrying her back to their camp. It was a long trek, but Ben was strong. Still, despite how gentle he was being, Bree yelped as he laid her down on a blanket in the dining tent.

“East, my pack.” But Easton already had it, having anticipated what Ben would be asking for. Easton pulled a small metal tank out of his pack and a hose attachment. He placed the face mask of the hose over Bree’s mouth and nose.

“She needs oxygen,” Easton explained to River. “It’ll help her warm up.”

As Easton and River wrapped every spare sleeping bag around Bree, Jessie hovered, an expression of worry on his face. “Is she going to be okay?”