Jim Newsome is the CEO of a food services consulting firm, working primarily for the healthcare industry. He wears a shoe lift due to a childhood accident that shortened his leg. Whenever he acquires a new client -- typically a hospital -- Jim goes undercover to get a firsthand look at the problems before reporting his findings, and possible solutions. His current assignment hasn’t been an easy one, and Jim’s relieved it will all be over at the end of the week. Then Jim meets Lance Lamas, an orthopedic specialist. Lance tries to strike up a conversation, but Jim isn’t playing nice. But Lance’s relentless pursuit pays off, and the two men go out on a double date with friends. The evening ends in the best way possible, and when Jim reveals who he really is, Lance knows he wants to keep him -- shoe lift, dirty mouth, and all.

To Lift My Sole

Paula had left me a note that said Go home!and also reminded me about tomorrow night. I was happy this part of my assignment was over. It hadn’t been that pleasant, though I could credit Lance with adding…panache to my final days there.


I sent an email to the hospital CEO who had hired me. Ruth Herck—forty-five years old and wearing it well—was a nice woman, competent, forward-thinking—despite her entrenched colleagues—and truly wanted the best for her establishment. I had been impressed when I’d met her at my office. I never went to the places I would be investigating beforehand in an official capacity, wanting the number of people who knew of me and my purpose to be as small as possible.


Chapter 6