Second First Kiss

“He won’t be a bachelor for long.”

“I’m bidding super high next year if this is how you get an engagement ring from a hot doctor.”

“Look at that kiss. It’s so hot.” A woman fanned herself. “I’d bid high for that, even without the wedding ring at the end.”

Inchy let this go on for another few seconds and then patted out the chatter. “We’re so grateful for our winning spotlight couple. We thought maybe you wouldn’t make it tonight, since you’d be so busy continuing more of this off camera.” She waved her hand at the projected photo of their desire-laden kiss. “Maybe we should turn it off, Rhoda. This is a family event, after all.”

The projector switched off, and the lights came on.

Jasher pulled Sage to his side. She’d done it. She really had changed things for him. She was magical. She was perfect. And soon all of her was going to be his.

“Now, we have one last presentation from a man who needs no introduction among all of you.” Inchy beckoned to someone in the bleachers, and Jasher took Sage’s hand. There was probably a place for them to sit and endure the end of this speech-giving before the pulled pork barbecue was finally dished up. He was hungry.

“Oh, don’t you two go anywhere.” Inchy clamped a hand down hard on Jasher’s shoulder. “You’re part of this, too.”

Up to the microphone came wobbling Cade Calhoun. He had his walker, but he also wore a smile, not a sneer.

Talk about unexpected—because Cade Calhoun extended a hand for Jasher to shake. He stared at it for a second.

“Take it.” Sage nudged him. “It’s kindly meant.”

She couldn’t know that. Or—maybe she could. She seemed to be able to perceive everything correctly.

“Everyone, this is Dr. Jasher Hotchkiss.” Cade commanded the attention of the audience, who murmured politely. “The man who saved my life.” Cade turned to Jasher and smiled. “I owe him an apology, and I hope to make good on that today.”

Cade let go of his walker, set the microphone on the podium, and clapped.

Slowly, applause began to build. Soon it was a full, thunderous racket, filling the whole gymnasium, and then someone started stomping on the wooden bleachers, and it got so loud in the gym you’d have thought the walls might come down.

Eventually Cade patted out the noise, and everyone listened again. “Doubtless some of you have already seen this due to your astuteness and attention to detail, but if you’ll direct your eyes to the north wall.” He indicated the area above the doors to the locker rooms.

There, where blank space of the one empty year of state championship banners had glowered at the town ever since Jasher lost the season for them, a new grand sign hung. Jasher didn’t even need to squint to read it.

His name was written large and legible.

“Today, we officially rename Eagle Gymnasium as Jasher Hotchkiss Gymnasium—at my request.” The crowd went wild again, but Cade didn’t let it go on for long. “Doubtless there will be plenty of your sons and daughters playing sports in here for years to come—and plenty of them are going to twist an ankle or pull a tendon in the process, much as we hate to think about it. Well, I just want you to know, your children will be in good hands if we can get Jasher Hotchkiss to treat their injuries. I trust him with my life. I hope you will, too.”

The crowd shouted—until Cade shouted over them, “Now, let’s eat some barbecue!”

Everyone poured out of the stands and rushed the buffet tables set up beneath the basketball standards on either end of the gym.

Jasher’s feet were rooted into the gleaming shellac of the hardwood floor.

Cade turned back to Jasher. “Two things I need to say, Hotchkiss. First, thanks. I owe you. Second, I’m not just done with rodeo, I’m done drinking. Shelly’s worth it.” Then, Cade moved along, helped by that same girl from the carnival. Maybe this accident would help him settle down with one woman.

Speaking of one woman, where had Sage gone?

“I’m right here, Jasher.” Sage slipped up beside him holding two plates of barbecue, handing him one. “I didn’t want to tip you off ahead of time.”

“You knew about this?”

“Cade asked me how he could ever thank you.”

“And you told him this was the way?”

“Well, he came up with the gist of it. He just called to verify whether you’d want him to drum up business for your clinic, to know for sure whether you’re staying in town to run Parrish Medical.”

The huge sign painted with his name kind of cemented that. Not that Jasher had any different plans, so long as Sage wanted to remain at Mendon Regional. Which she would, now that they’d offered her the head of anesthesia position.