“Are you kidding? Gage, I need you so much it’s pitiful. Without you, I would never have found the courage to face my father. Like it or not, you’ve become my pillar of strength.”
“Really?”
“What do you think?”
“I’ll always be here for you, Janet. In good times and bad. In sickness and in health.”
He took her left hand in his and slipped the cubic zirconia off her finger. Then he pulled a small black velvet box from the pocket of his tuxedo.
Her body shook when she realized his intention. She pressed her right hand to her mouth.
“Oh,” she whispered, “oh.”
“Janet Hunter.” He got down on one knee and flicked open the box with his thumb. A two-carat diamond solitaire winked up at her. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“A real engagement?”
“Yes.”
“Does this mean more paparazzi popping from behind every bush?”
“Probably. Is that a problem?”
“Not on your life,” she said.
“Does that mean your answer is yes?”
“Let me just show you.” Then slowly, seductively, she undid the buttons on his stiff white shirt.
Epilogue
Six months later Lacy came down the aisle on her father’s arm looking resplendent in her long white wedding gown, her blond hair caught back with a gold clip, a bouquet of old-fashioned tea roses and baby’s breath clutched in her hand. Her father left her beside her groom, Dr. Bennett Sheridan, who honestly looked thunderstruck and was smiling for all he was worth.
Next came CeeCee on the arm of a man who looked exactly like the guy she was going to marry. Zack and Jack were identical twins, Janet had told Gage. CeeCee’s wedding dress was short, sleek, and modern, her red hair, capped with a short lace veil, fanned out like a flame down her back. She grinned and waved to guests as she went up the aisle. Her groom, Dr. Jack Travis, held out his hand and took her from his brother. Jack looked as if no curse on earth could break the delicious spell of their love.
And last, but not least, came Gage’s bride-to-be.
Gage’s heart hung in his chest like a kite on high line wires at the sight of her.
Janet, my love. My one and only. My soul mate. The other half of me. We two are now joined. Not needy, but loving freely. Helping, giving, sharing for the rest of our days.
The vows he’d written circled in his head. He would not forget them.
Ever.
Janet was gorgeous in a mid-calf gown with a bodice that showed off her curves. Her black hair piled loosely atop her head, soft tendrils framing her face the way he liked. Her indigo eyes glistened with joy. Pinned to her shoulder was Saint Jude, a lost cause no more. At last Cupid had coaxed Janet’s heart around love.
His heart hammered. His mouth grew dry. He didn’t know about Bennett or Jack, but Gage felt as if he were the luckiest man on the face of the earth to be marrying such a fabulous woman. A woman brave enough to face her fears to learn that true and lasting love existed. He loved her beyond measure.
Janet was trembling as she ended her walk beside Gage. He took her hand and squeezed it, giving her strength. She’d thought once that she didn’t need him, didn’t need love, didn’t need anyone. Thank heavens for Gracie, Nadine, and that infernal prediction or she might never have overcome her stubbornness long enough to find her one true love.
Taking a deep breath to quiet her pounding heart, she glanced around her. A triple wedding. Three best friends sharing the happiest day of their lives together. Her heart filled to overflowing.
The minister began the ceremony, starting with Lacy and Bennett. In the pews behind them sat Lacy’s vast family and Bennett’s parents from Boston.
On the opposite side of the church sat CeeCee and Jack’s guests, which included all the single women in CeeCee’s family and a group of guys from their skydiving club.
Janet’s mother was in attendance, naturally. With Sam and his daughters May, Suzie, Jenny, Jenny’s husband and brand-new baby Kyle. Gracie was Gracie Pinkerton now. She and Sam had gotten married in a hot-air balloon two months ago and spent their honeymoon in Australia. That made her Kyle’s grandmother now, successfully averting Nadine’s dire prediction. She was a grandmother before fifty-two.
There were coworkers from the hospital, and everyone from the Blanton Street Group had shown up, not to mention the paparazzi hanging around outside.
But what pleased Janet the most was that her father had walked her down the aisle, then just before he handed her to Gage, he’d leaned close to whisper, “You’re going to make a splendid wife and mother, Janet. I’m sorry I never told you this when you needed to hear it, but I’m so proud of you.”
When the minister reached them, having already pronounced Lacy and Bennett, CeeCee and Jack, man and wife, Gage turned to face her, squeezed her hand again and smiled for all he was worth.
Janet caught her breath. Her heart soared like an eagle. For her deepest held dreams had come true. She’d finally found the love she’d craved for so long.
Dear Reader,
Readers are an author’s life blood and the stories couldn’t happen without you. Thank you so much for reading. I do appreciate more than you could ever know!
As a nurse for twenty-two years, I brought my medical knowledge to this series and it was such fun using my background in telling these stories.
If you enjoyed The Hotshot, I would so appreciate a review. You have no idea how much your input means to an author! We work long hours alone and your comments are a hopeful light in the darkness.
You can check out all the books in the Heartthrob Hospital series here.
Don’t miss my upcoming book in the
