Chapter 2
Chapter Two
SAM
The morning passed quickly as I worked at the kitchen table. My best friend, Jay, owned a yoga studio in Austin, Texas where I’d worked as an instructor before moving back home to Kither Springs.
While I was there, I’d created some social media accounts for the yoga studio, just for fun. We were both surprised to learn how successful the online marketing had been in bringing new clients to the studio. So, after moving home, he’d hired me to continue managing his studio’s socials.
Over the past few months, I’d gained a few more small business accounts that wanted my services. Most were back in Austin and had sought me out from Jay’s recommendation.
He really was the best friend ever.
Junior and Gramps had woken up around the same time. Gramps looked a lot more refreshed after his nap and was chipper as he played with Junior.
After feeding Junior a while later, he was put down for another nap.
I was still in the kitchen, finishing the last of my work, when I heard Gramps’ frantic call.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, following his voice into Lana’s room.
Gramps was standing over the crib, a worried look on his face.
“Junior suddenly started burning up again. I just took his temperature, and it’s too high,” Gramps said.
I rushed to his side to look into the crib to find Junior’s face flushed. He had his eyes squeezed shut and was making little huffing and coughing noises that had my heart squeezing. He had the bandana on his forehead again, but it was clear the aloe was doing nothing to help bring the temperature down for him this time.
“We need to take him to the clinic now ,” I said, picking him up.
Gramps didn’t argue and immediately grabbed the bag we’d packed the other night in case Junior’s fever didn’t get better. Looked like it was a good thing we hadn’t unpacked yet.
I handed the baby to Gramps and helped him into the backseat before hopping into the driver’s seat and driving as quickly—and safely—as I could.
The drive to our town’s downtown area only took fifteen minutes, but those minutes felt like hours with each soft cough I heard coming from the backseat.
I’d never been happier to see Kither Springs’ only clinic come into view. Kither Springs Health Clinic had been a staple here, practically since the town was founded. Most people in town opted to come here for all their health needs. Almost all the older residents in Kither Springs were born at this very clinic—including Lana and me.
From what Gramps had told me, the family who ran the clinic had been studying medicine for generations. At least I knew Junior would be in good hands here, especially since the closest hospital was at least an hour away without traffic, and we didn’t have time for that right now.
“Help! My nephew is sick!” I shouted as soon as we entered the room.
The front desk attendant looked up with shock when she heard us but quickly sprang into action. She poked her head through the door behind the desk.
A nurse in light blue scrubs came from the back and guided Gramps to the back, while I stayed up front to do the paperwork.
The receptionist was patient with me despite my prickly mood and impatience to finish the papers and go be with my family.
When she finally gave me the last form to sign, I scribbled my signature so quickly it looked more like random lines than my name.
It was only then that I remembered I should inform my sister that her son was at the clinic. I sent her a quick text, just in case she was still with her client, and explained that we were at the clinic and had the situation under control.
As soon as I sent the text, another one came in from my real estate agent, letting me know the landlady was open to showing the place to me early if I was available.
“Fuck,” I muttered and pulled up my message thread with her to send her an apology, telling her I wouldn’t be able to make the appointment today.
I’d been working with Gina for a couple months already, and this was only the fourth showing she was able to find me inside the town’s limits.
All our previous showings had been houses investors had converted into tiny studios to profit from the influx of people who’d moved here after several viral videos a popular travel influencer made about this place.
From what Gramps said, at first, it was only the tourism that increased around these parts, which all the townsfolk welcomed. It brought a fresh wave of income to the area.
Then people realized they really enjoyed the idyllic life of our small town and loved how open-minded everyone here was.
That was something I was very proud of about our town. Nobody cared what race or sexual orientation you were here; as long as you were neighborly, then everyone would be neighborly right back at ya.
That wasn’t to say there wasn’t the occasional bad seed, but there were going to be jackasses everywhere you went. But for the most part, nobody even blinked an eye when the school’s quarterback and I dated briefly in high school.
Sure, they might have questioned why the most popular kid in school was with someone like me—small andscrawny. And okay, fine, maybe I wasn’t the most handsome boy in high school, but who was? It was the personality that counted, and I’d say mine was a solid ten out of ten.
But that was beside the point. Despite our seemingly mismatched coupling, the town never made a big deal about two men dating, and that was the beauty of Kither Springs.
I’d been shocked when I went away for college in a bigger city and learned about the discrimination my friends had faced for not fitting in with the norm. They said cities were more diverse and understanding, but it was the exact opposite in my experience. It was the reason I’d always intended to move back to Kither Springs.
The only downside was that outsiders had also fallen in love with the community. These were people who had high-paying work-from-home jobs and were able to afford to drive up the rental prices of all the available housing in the area.
While it was good business for the town, it was people like me—locals who needed housing—who suffered.
My real estate agent had told me this place she found me was probably my best bet. The landlady was an older woman who’d inherited the small complex from her father and was very picky about who she rented the place out to, and she’d insisted it had to be someone who was actually from town. Best of all, she wasn’t charging an arm and a leg for the place either.
Her strict criteria weren’t fair to all the people who wanted to move to Kither Springs, but it definitely benefited me.
It sucked that I’d have to miss the appointment and probably the only place in town I could reasonably afford, but being there for Junior was more important than any of that.
Gina quickly replied saying she understood and to keep her updated. She wished for Junior’s quick recovery before letting me know she’d keep her eye out for more places in my budget.
Pocketing my phone, I headed to the back to find Gramps sitting beside the patient bed. Junior was currently lying on the bed in his diaper with the doctor standing over him and listening to his heart.
Junior hadn’t been around strangers much, and I was worried he’d be stressed with the entire situation, but to my surprise, he was kicking his feet and laughing as the doctor teased him.
Dr. Yao’s back looked a lot wider and straighter than what I remembered from my memories. When the doctor turned around, instead of the kind, wrinkly face of the Dr. Yao who’d been the doctor in charge all my life, I was met with a much younger version of him.
Dan Yao smiled when he saw me. “Hey, Sam! I heard you were back in town. It’s good to see you again, though I wish it was under better circumstances.”
“Hi, Dan—I mean Dr. Yao. It’s good to see you, too. I didn’t know you took over for your dad,” I replied, still surprised to be faced with someone I hadn’t expected.
“Dan is fine. Hearing someone I went to high school with calling me Dr. Yao just feels wrong somehow,” he said, chuckling with a shake of his head. “And Dad’s still working here. The old man’s too stubborn to retire. He’ll be around later.”
I wasn’t able to suppress the sigh of relief I let out at his words. Dan and Gramps heard it, too, if the glare Gramps shot me was anything to go by. Thankfully, Dan didn’t take offense and only chuckled again.
I shot him a look of apology, knowing that I was being unfair and downright shitty. But it was hard not to feel better to have Dr. Yao—Dan’s father—be there to look after Junior.
I trusted Dr. Yao. He’d been there for me for every scraped knee and stuffy nose. And while I was sure Dan knew what he was doing and knew he was a good person from growing up with him, I’d never been treated by him before.
“Fevers aren’t uncommon among babies, but we’ll get Junior’s workup done to make sure there aren’t any underlying issues causing his fever. However, I have high hopes there aren’t any issues. We’ll keep Junior here for a few hours to keep an eye on him. He’s a bit dehydrated, so let’s get an IV in him,” Dan said, turning to the nurse at his last words.
The nurse nodded and sprang into action to get everything ready. He took out what had to be the tiniest needle on the face of the earth.
Gramps grabbed one of Junior’s tiny hands while the nurse worked on his other arm. I was expecting the needle to turn Junior into a crying mess, but to my surprise, Dan distracted Junior by tapping him in random places with his gloved finger. The action had completely captured Junior’s entire attention, and he didn’t stop giggling even when the nurse quickly and smoothly slid the IV into his vein.
“Distraction is always the best way to help a child through pain. It doesn’t always work, but looks like Junior is a tough cookie, just like his namesake,” Dan said, tickling Junior’s belly.
Gramps puffed up with pride at his words, and I laughed.
Afterward, Dan explained how we should take care of Junior tonight: make sure he’s getting lots of fluids, give him a lukewarm bath, and don’t overdress him.
He was patient as he went into a long discussion with Gramps about the benefits of aloe vera.
I shook my head and tuned out their conversation as I put my focus on Junior. He’d fallen asleep again, but this time, his breathing was much steadier and smoother than earlier.
I slipped two fingers onto Junior’s tiny palm, and I didn’t know if it was out of instinct or what, but he wrapped his fist around them. I smiled at the adorable action and fell in love with the baby just a little more than I already was.
“He’s looking a lot better,” Gramps said when he returned to the seat by my side. The crease of worry that’d marred his face had softened a bit now.
We watched Junior sleep for a few minutes in silence.
“Dan’s a mighty fine man,” Gramps suddenly said. “He’s a doctor, too.”
I turned to him with a raised brow. “Gramps, please don’t tell me you’re trying to set me up while your great-grandchild is lying on a sickbed.”
“What? I can’t point out a good man when I see one anymore? Good men are hard to come by these days, so I’m just saying!” Gramps said defensively.
I shook my head again and peeked around the room. I was glad to see we were in our corner alone as Dan and the nurse had exited the room a while ago.
“Gramps, he might not even be single for all you know. Plus, is he even into men?” I whispered.
“He is! I heard from Mae he was caught on a date with one of those newcomers. But they only went on a couple of dates before calling it quits,” Gramps said with the serious expression of a gossiper.
Mae was Granny Lottie’s daughter. She’d moved back to Kither Springs to take care of Granny Lottie in her old age.
Mae—or Auntie Mae, as we’d called her—was also one of the biggest gossips in town. You know in those movies where the gossip is holding a basket and pretending to shop in the store but was actually spying on the latest and greatest drama playing out? That was Auntie Mae to a tee. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was caught hiding behind a tree to scout out fresh deets from the rumor mill.
Although, with her years of nosy experience and almost spy-level stealth, she wouldn’t have been caught in the first place.
“Even still, I’m not going to flirt with the doctor, especially not when my nephew’s life is currently in his hands,” I said, exasperated.
Gramps harrumphed but didn’t push it. Though, I did hear him mutter under his breath, something about me finding a good man that deserved me.
I was very lucky to have my parental figure be so invested in my happiness and support me wholeheartedly. And sure, I’d had bad luck in the dating scene, but I wasn’t at the point where I needed my grandfather to play matchmaker.
Dan returned to the room, shot a smile our way, then focused on something on the other side of the room.
I could see where Gramps was coming from.
Dan had been scrawny and only a few inches taller than I was in high school, but he’d really grown into himself these last few years.
He had a head of jet-black hair and dark eyes that held the same kindness I remembered his father giving me through every tearful visit I’d had when I was a kid.
I could also see the outline of hard muscles under his white coat. I’d always had a thing for big men. Especially giant teddy bears who actually had the hearts of gold. And from watching Dan handle Junior with so much patience and kindness, Dan had ticked off that very hot trait I liked seeing in my men.
Maybe Gramps wasn’t just being a busybody and had a point…
Before I could be caught staring, some noise from the front of the building grabbed my attention. I heard muffled conversation before my sister rushed through the swinging door.
She looked frantic, hair wild and thrown every which way. I was tempted to joke that it was blasphemy for a hairdresser to have such messy hair, but even I knew this wasn’t the right time.
Seeing me and Gramps, she slowed down enough to catch her breath.
“Sorry, I got here as soon as I could. How is he?” she asked, striding toward us as quietly as she could.
“He’s doing much better now. The doctor is running some tests, but he thinks it’s just a common baby fever,” Gramps explained.
Lana let out another relieved sigh as she stroked her baby’s cheek. Junior made a happy babble sound, and I wondered if he could sense that his mom was here despite being asleep.
“I should have stayed home today to take care of him,” she said, then, as if thinking of something, she turned to me wide-eyed. “Shit, Sam. Didn’t you have an appointment at two?”
I checked my phone’s clock and saw it was already an hour past the appointment time.
“It’s fine,” I said with a wave of my hand. “This is way more important.”
She wasn’t convinced and looked at me with round eyes that threatened tears.
“Hey, hey. It’s really okay. Family always comes first. Besides, the couch really isn’t that bad,” I insisted, pulling her into a hug.
She nodded into my chest.
“I know. I just feel terrible since I know how hard it was to find a decent place within budget.” She tilted her head up, so I was staring into her blue eyes instead of the top of her head. “Call your agent and see if she can show you the place now.”
“It’s fine. Really. I’m sure she has other clients lined up today,” I said, but the glare Lana shot me told me she wasn’t going to back down until she got her way—and she always got her way.
“Fine,” I stated and released her to follow her command. “But don’t get your hopes up. Now go focus on Junior.” I pushed her into the seat I’d vacated, then turned to head out front to make the call.
In my peripheral vision, I could see Lana’s eyes following me. I knew she’d give me shit if she didn’t hear me making the call, so I gave up any ideas about pretending and went to do her bidding.
Gina was happy to hear Junior was doing better and told me she’d give me a call back about the showing after she confirmed something with her next client. I apologized again, then thanked her before hanging up.
“Are you looking for a rental?” a voice sounded from beside me.
I jumped in surprise when I realized how close the voice was and turned to see Dan looking at me with amusement in his eyes.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You’re good,” I replied with a hand to my heart. Maybe it was the whirlwind of the day and lack of sleep that had me so jumpy today.
My brain always ran a bit slower when I was tired, which meant I was much more prone to blurt something out that hadn’t been properly filtered. I kept in mind to keep my mouth shut as much as possible or else I might say something that might actually offend Dan this time.
“I think my friend said he’s checking out a place today, too. It’s been slim pickings with all the new people moving here,” he commented.
I nodded. “Yeah, I’ve been looking for a place for a couple months, but the rental market has been a shit storm since I’ve moved back.”
As soon as the word left my mouth, I winced. “Sorry. I probably shouldn’t be cursing in a clinic,” I said, looking around.
Thankfully, there weren’t any other patients in the waiting room right now.
The corners of his eyes crinkled in a smile. “No worries. A little cursing never hurt anyone, though don’t tell my dad I said that,” he whispered conspiratorially.
I laughed, appreciating how laid-back Dan was.
“And hey, I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to question your doctoral skills or anything,” I said, hoping to convey how apologetic I was about the slip of action.
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” he said with a smile that was almost too professional.
I wondered if this wasn’t the first time he’d been overlooked in favor of his father. I wouldn’t be surprised considering Dr. Yao had served the community for decades, and it was human nature to be more comfortable with someone you were used to.
That made me feel even worse, and the need to make it up to him rose.
“Let me take you out for drinks as an apology,” I blurted out without thinking too deeply about it. I internally winced again, hoping I didn’t sound like I was using apologizing as a way to snatch a date with him.
Dan chuckled again, turning to the coffee machine on the table against the wall beside us. He tilted a cup at me, silently asking me if I wanted one. I nodded and shot him a grateful ‘ thanks ’ when he handed me the cup.
He took a sip from his own drink, then said, “Really, there’s nothing for you to make up for, but I’m never opposed to getting a drink with an old friend, especially when they’re treating.”
There was a twinkle in his eye that told me he was teasing and it had me relaxing, thinking Gramps was spot on when he’d said Dan was a fine man.
I opened my mouth to set a date with him but was interrupted by the sound of my phone’s ringtone. My real estate agent was calling me back like she said she would.
“I’m sorry, I have to take this,” I said to Dan, who nodded and left me to my call.
“Hello?” I answered the phone, but my eyes followed Dan as he moved to the front desk to say something to the receptionist. She laughed at whatever he said. A faint blush appeared on her pale skin as they chatted. I could understand. Dan was very charming.
“Are you able to meet us at the place now? My other client agreed to let you tour the apartment with him.”
My attention snapped back to the voice on the phone. “Oh, sorry. Yes! I can be there in ten,” I quickly replied.
This wasn’t the time to be starry-eyed at some man. There were more important matters at hand.
I finalized the plan and then returned to the back room to tell my family about Gina’s news. Lana was relieved to hear I could still make the apartment showing. Gramps told me he’d take care of Junior and Lana before wishing me a safe trip as he sent me off.
I checked up on Junior one last time and, seeing he was sleeping soundly and would really be okay, I left to make the new appointment.