Second First Kiss

“But that’s just it. I don’t want to.”

“Are you forgetting we’re in Mendon?” And all that it brought with it? “We’ve talked about this. I’m not under any illusions.”

“You changed that for me, too.” He pressed a kiss to her temple and another just below her ear, and as with every time he kissed her, Sage’s determination to resist lost fifty power-points. “A couple of things happened. You saved Mrs. Ferguson’s life, and you let me help you. That started a domino effect with her friends. In fact, I’ve gotten a few new clients in the past few days from her.”

“The spider monkey lady?”

“Exactly.”

“No way.”

“Yes, way.” His eye twinkled.

Sage sat back. This was so much to process. Jasher wanted to stay in Mendon? He didn’t want to sell the clinic? He wanted to be with Sage, and he didn’t consider her a bad-luck charm?

“You said there were a couple of things that happened. No other rabid pet attacks, I hope.”

“No, no. Nothing like that. It was when you selected my list at the auction. If someone else had, honestly, I would have ditched the dates and bought them out. None of them would have bid as high as you did. We all know that.”

True. “I’m sorry I bid so high. I don’t know what I was thinking.” That she could help the auxiliary for one. That she could stick her finger in Dr. Dave McGreeley’s eye for another. And Cade Calhoun’s. “We could have told Inchy. She would have let you off. Probably.”

Okay, not.

“That’s just it. We didn’t. We went on the dates—to places I loved around Mendon, and it helped me remember the good times, the things I loved about growing up here. The creeks, the reservoirs, the outdoors. I saw the good in this place again.” He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, sending thrills up and down her spine. “It didn’t hurt that I did them all with the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known.”

“But the operating room. The heel.”

“Like I said, it went wrong because you weren’t with me, Sage. Not because you cursed me. But because you bless me. I’m a better surgeon when I’m with you. I’m a better everything.”

“You’re not letting me buy the clinic.” Sage exhaled, falling against him and letting her body melt against his. His arms were strong, capable, and would protect her—from her own crackpot notions. “You don’t want to go work in a knee surgery center and have a nine-to-five job in the excitement of the city.”

“It wouldn’t be exciting if you weren’t there.” Jasher took her hand. “It’s almost time for us to meet Rhoda for the picture at the entrance to the rodeo. Do you think you’re up for that?”

Sage was. “I wouldn’t want to make her wait. Well, not for too long.” Sage rose up on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on Jasher’s lips. He caught her in the kiss and pulled her tight.

Then, he was kissing her, taking her alive—his captive forever. It wasn’t just physical passion, it was possession and protection and … love. The nearby carnival rides could have nothing on this kiss—the whirling, spinning ecstasy of Jasher’s hot kiss. It belonged to Sage, and Sage to the kiss—and to Jasher. There was no questioning it anymore.

Across the way, the rodeo announcer began his banter, alerting them to the world outside their passion. “Welcome to the annual Mendon Rodeo Days first night of entertainment and excitement.”

“Come on, Jasher. Rhoda will be waiting.” Sage clutched his hand and pulled him through the crowds toward the arena, door J, where Rhoda would probably be getting nervous that they’d stood her up and she’d have to face Inchy’s wrath.

The announcer’s voice still boomed through nightfall’s air. “I’m pleased to present to you tonight’s grand marshal, Mendon’s own Cade Calhoun!” The crowd went wild.

How about that. Cade, king of the evening. Good for him.

“And we’re also pleased to announce that after this evening, Cade will serve as chairman of the city’s rodeo events, since our longtime event chairman is retiring. Welcome to the Mendon Rodeo team, Cade!”

Now the crowd really went wild. Cade must be hamming it up somewhere.

Jasher called up to her, “Sounds like Cade found his place. Important, since bull-riding was not a lifelong career prospect.”

Cade had found his place. Jasher had found his place. All those guys she’d dated—they’d found theirs too.

Have I found mine? In Jasher’s world?

“Sage, you won’t freak out if I suggest this, will you?” Jasher pulled her back when they were in sight of Rhoda who lurked at the door, looking nervous. “It doesn’t have to mean anything if you don’t want it to. If you’re not ready. It’s just that it might make Rhoda queen-for-a-moment. We could give her that.”

“Sure. What is it?” Sage searched Jasher’s face.

He dug in his pocket and pulled out that ring. He held it up, and through its center, she could see his whole smiling face. “Is it too much?”

“Believe it or not, I think I’m ready.”

Jasher slid it onto her finger—and Rhoda appeared, snapping the photo at exactly the right moment.