Chapter Seven #2
"It's okay," I said, pulling my lips into a semblance of a smile. "This was always temporary, wasn't it? A holiday arrangement. We just... got carried away."
His jaw tightened, a muscle twitching along its edge. "Is that what you think? That these past days have been me getting 'carried away'?"
"I think you're at a crossroads," I said carefully. "And I think Boston makes the most sense for you. The position you've worked toward your entire career, possibly fixing your family—it's everything you should want."
"Should want," he repeated, his voice dropping. "Not what I do want."
"Rhett—"
"No, you need to listen now." His gaze locked with mine, unwavering and intense.
"Yes, I've been offered the Boston position.
No, I have not considered reconciling with Adrienne—not for a second.
In fact, she came to my house after the cookie competition and made the same pitch.
I rejected it then, and nothing has changed. "
Hope flickered within me, but I tamped it down. "Your career, though—"
"My career has been the center of my life for too long." He inched closer. "These past weeks in Starlight Bay, with my mother, with this community... with you... I've remembered what it feels like to be part of something real. To be me, not just a physician."
"But—"
"Piper, I was going to tell you tonight, after the gala. I've decided to accept a full-time position at Cape Cod Regional."
I stared at him, processing his words. "You're... staying?"
"I'm staying." His hand brushed my cheek, his thumb grazing the corner of my mouth.
"And not because of my mother, though she's part of it.
I'm staying because for the first time in years, I feel alive here.
I feel like myself—not the version of me I constructed to fit Boston Memorial's expectations or Adrienne's social ambitions, but the man I actually want to be. "
"And what about us?" I asked, barely above a whisper.
The doors to the terrace opened, spilling light and music and the murmur of conversations into our private moment. Dr. Merrick, the hospital administrator, poked his head out.
"Ah, Dr. Thornton! Perfect timing. We're about to make the announcement about the new cardiac wing. Would you join us inside?"
Rhett's attention remained fixed on me. "Actually, Dr. Merrick, there's an announcement I'd like to make as well, if you don't mind."
"Of course! The more good news, the better." He held the door, waiting expectantly.
Rhett offered me his hand. "Coming?"
Confused but curious, I placed my fingers in his and followed him inside. The ballroom had grown crowded, with nearly all the gala attendees gathered near the small stage where the string quartet had played earlier. Dr. Merrick ascended the steps, tapping a microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for a few announcements? First, I'm delighted to report that tonight's gala has raised over fifty thousand dollars for the new pediatric wing!"
Applause filled the room. Dr. Merrick continued with updates about the hospital's achievements and plans for the coming year. I stood beside Rhett, hyper-aware of his hand still holding mine, of Adrienne watching us from across the room with narrowed eyes.
"And now," Dr. Merrick concluded, "I'd like to invite Dr. Rhett Thornton to share some news of his own."
My stomach twisted as Rhett squeezed my hand once, then released it to join Dr. Merrick on the stage. He stood before the crowd with easy confidence, scanning the sea of faces until he found me.
"Thank you, Dr. Merrick. Many of you know me as a visiting surgeon from Boston Memorial, helping out during my sabbatical. What you may not know is that I've been considering where I want to build the next chapter of my career—and my life."
The room quieted, crystal glasses stilling mid-clink as conversations halted.
"Boston Memorial has made a generous offer for me to return as chief of cardiothoracic surgery.
It's the position I've worked toward for twenty years.
" He paused, his expression softening as he looked at me.
"But sometimes life presents us with unexpected gifts—new perspectives, new possibilities.
.. that make us reevaluate what truly matters. "
Blood rushed to my cheeks as several heads turned in my direction, whispers and knowing glances rippling through the crowd.
"This Christmas season has reminded me of something essential—that success isn't measured by titles or salaries, but by the impact we have on others' lives and the joy we find in living our own.
" His voice strengthened. "That's why I've accepted Dr. Merrick's offer to join Cape Cod Regional permanently as head of the cardiac surgery department. "
A buzz of surprise surged through the guests. From the corner of my eye, I saw Adrienne's face contort with fury, her nails digging into her velvet clutch.
"I'm staying in Starlight Bay," Rhett continued, "because this community has become home in ways Boston never did. Because here I've found friendship, purpose, and—" his gaze found mine again, "—the kind of love I never expected to find. The kind worth rearranging your entire life for."
My breath caught. Had he just said love?
"So this Christmas, I'm embracing what truly matters—relationships, and the courage to begin again.
" A genuine smile transformed his face, reaching his eyes and softening the lines around them.
"Thank you all for welcoming me into your town and your hospital.
I look forward to serving this community for many years to come. "
Applause erupted as he descended the steps. I stood frozen, unable to move as he made his way toward me through the crowd, stopping to shake hands and accept congratulations as he came. When he reached me, he took both my hands in his.
"I should have told you," he said quietly. "But I was waiting until I was certain of my decision—of us."
"And are you?" I asked. "Certain, I mean?"
"About us? Completely." He lifted my hand and gently pressed his lips to it. "I’m falling for you, Piper Summers. I didn't plan to, didn't expect to, but here we are. If you’ll have me."
"Rhett," I began, but words failed me. Instead, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, right there in front of the entire gala. Whistles and scattered applause broke out around us, someone dropped a glass, and I heard Mayor Reeves' distinctive laugh from nearby.
When we broke apart, I was laughing through tears that had somehow escaped without my notice. "I’m head-over-heels for you, too. And yes—yes to all of it."
Across the room, I caught a glimpse of Adrienne stalking toward the exit, her spine ramrod straight, her heels striking the floor with staccato anger.
But her manipulation no longer had power over me.
Rhett had chosen—not his ex-wife, not his past or the way of least resistance.
At the fork in the road ahead of him, he’d chosen the path less traveled. He'd chosen us.
As the orchestra struck up "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," he led me back to the dance floor, pulling me close as we swayed to the music. The scent of his cologne mingled with the pine decorations and spiced punch, creating a memory I knew I'd cherish forever.
"Merry Christmas, Piper," he murmured against my hair.
I closed my eyes, savoring the moment—the music, the gentle fall of snow visible through the windows, the solid strength of Rhett's arms around me. After weeks of planning the perfect holiday for everyone else, I'd somehow found my own miracle.
"Merry Christmas, Rhett."