The Second Chance Bride (Country Brides & Cowboy Boots)

by Danni Lee Nicholls

  “I’m not being coy. There’s something that doesn’t quite fit. I can’t figure it out. Besides, I don’t feel--.” Savannah stopped, searching for the right word.

  “Why-ever not? His family has been established in this valley for generations, same as yours. He’s a suitable match in every way.” She pulled Savannah closer. “I’m hoping this will help you overcome your doubts around that cowboy.”

  Savannah gritted her teeth. “What doubts?”

  “Your worries about turning him down all those years ago.”

  Savannah stopped walking and turned to face Kelly. “I will always regret that, and there’s not much Aaron can do to fix it.”

  Kelly patted her arm. “Just give it some time. You’ve been alone for so long, it may take you a while to get used to having someone admire you. Feelings will grow in time.”

  Savannah pulled away and moved toward her father. It wouldn’t take any time for her and Alex to reconnect. The thought shook her as she recalled Alex’s request just that afternoon that she promise to return.

  Now, sitting up on her bed, Savannah moved to the window seat and gazed up into the starry heavens. In spite of her desire to stand close to Alex and share some words of comfort, there was no conversation after her return. By then, her father and Kelly were in the room, creating some sort of invisible shield as they flanked her like soldiers.

  Savannah pulled a pillow close. That wasn’t fair. In this particular moment, her father needed her, and Kelly would want to help.

  Still, Savannah chafed at the earlier conversation with Kelly. Everyone seemed pleased with Aaron, except her. He was attentive, to be sure. After their dinner date, he sent her twelve long-stemmed pink roses with a note, once again, declaring his intentions while also saying he wanted to respect her space and give her time. Savannah glanced at the flowers. They were lovely and vibrant now, but they would meet an early demise due to being cut from the plant from which they came. In the end, she would just throw them away. That deterioration made her sad and somehow reminded her of Aaron, although she wasn’t sure why.

  Pulling her thoughts away from him, she considered Alex, and their shared but quiet affection. At first, she was puzzled over his attention. His questions about his and Ben’s presence made Savannah believe that Alex just needed some guidance as to how to help the Thomas family, especially Chantelle. But it was obvious that Chantelle and Mason were still very much engaged. And although Alex was concerned about Shelby and her family and he wanted to be supportive, he wasn’t overly involved.

  Savannah opened her window and looked over the darkened land. If she was wrong about Alex’s feelings for Chantelle, could she be wrong about other things? Savannah held her breath. Maybe she and Alex still shared a love that continued to grow strong from within, in spite of her best efforts to neglect it.

  Settling into her window seat, Savannah drank in the summer air. The touch of Alex’s hand on the small of her back still warmed her, and his urgent but gentle request that she return filled her heart with tenderness. His touch was like a magnet, pulling her ever closer to what they once shared.

  Chapter 27

  Alex drove home slowly. The town of Mission Canyon was in his rearview mirror as he followed the road through the outskirts of small ranches and farms that dotted the landscape with houses glowing from within. Soon, he would be met with the blackness of rolling hills and a starry sky with only his headlights as a guide. Amy and Steve would be anxious to hear of Shelby’s condition, and maybe even more surprised at Ben’s desire to stay.

  As Alex was readying to leave the hospital, Ben had taken him aside. His friend wasn’t exactly sure what it meant, but he felt some kind of connection with Shelby, and he wanted to support her father. After the private conversation between Keith and Ben, it was decided Ben would stay.

  Alex envied Ben. His friend was just beginning to realize his feelings for Shelby and the whole prairie couldn’t hold the many possibilities before him. Alex remembered that place where hope met the future. Shelby’s near future was going to be difficult, but if she was willing to accept Ben, he would be constant in his affection and unwavering in his help.

  Turning down the dirt drive to Amy and Steve’s home, Alex turned off the ignition and stepped out of the truck. Crickets offered their serenade from the tall grass that swayed on the night breeze, creating the perfect symphony of a summer night.

  Leaning against the truck, Alex heard the squeak of the screen door opening. He turned to see his sister standing on the back porch, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and wrapped in a thin shawl. The light from the house flooded her image, creating her silhouette.

  Alex walked to Amy and gave her a hug.

  “How’s Shelby?” Amy asked.

  “I think she’s going to pull through, but she has a long recovery ahead of her.”

  “Where’s Ben?”

  “He’s spending the night with Shelby and Keith.”

  Amy arched her eyebrows for a moment before studying Alex. She placed her arm through his. “You must be exhausted.”

  Suddenly, every muscle fiber ached. “I am, now that you mention it.”

  “Come in. I’ve kept your dinner warm.”

  Alex followed Amy into the house and sat at the table. The cabinets were in and the countertops placed. Boxes were scattered about. Many of them were half-empty, while the cabinets were filling up.

  “The kitchen looks great,” he said. “You and Steve had a busy day. I’m sorry--.”

  Amy held up her hand. “No apology needed. You were where you needed to be. And I think Steve and I will be finished with the kitchen in a couple of days. Bathrooms are next. I thought you’d be pleased to know we’ve decided on painting the bathrooms instead of putting up wallpaper.”

  Alex gave Amy a wan smile. “Nothing could make me happier.”

  “Steve made a persuasive argument.”

  “And he was right.”

  “This once.” Amy nudged Alex. “Since you’re the one doing most of the wall work, I felt your opinion had to be considered.” She gave him a teasing smile before turning serious. “Now, tell me about Shelby. What happened?”

  Alex told Amy the whole story. As his sister patiently listened, he felt the unwinding of the knot in his stomach, but some stubborn part of him could not untangle the tight center.

  Amy placed her hand on his arm. “Now, why don’t you tell me the rest of it.”

  Alex looked away. Amy could always sense the depth of his feelings.

  “It’s my fault,” he whispered. “Shelby rode off to impress me. Right before she spurred Blue, she gave me this little wink and smile.”

  “I see. And how does that make it your fault?”

  “I should’ve known. I should’ve seen how this was going to turn out. The ground she was covering was dangerous. Besides, she’s been trying to get my attention from the moment we met. I should’ve stopped that behavior.”

  “For argument’s sake, let’s just say you had some kind of crystal ball and you knew all of this was going to happen. How could you have stopped her?”

  Alex shook his head. “I-I should’ve made sure she didn’t run Blue.”

  Amy continued, “She’s a grown-up, Alex. What could you have done? Grabbed the reins? That would’ve carried its own danger. You didn’t encourage her to take her horse over that ground. You didn’t ask her to solicit your attention. I watched you very closely. You accepted her attention, but you never sought it, nor did you tease it out of her. That goes for all of these girls.”

  “I know, but…”

  “But what?”

  Silence hung between them for a long minute before Alex finally spoke. “I used it.”

  Amy gave him a searching look. “How so?”

  Alex ran his hand through his hair. “I used it to…”

  “Yes?”

  “I used it to buffer myself from my own feelings for Savannah.” Relief rushed through Alex.

  A knowing look came i
nto her eyes. “Of course it was Savannah.”

  “You knew?”

  “I suspected. You were in love with her all those years ago, weren’t you? She was the one.”

  Alex swallowed hard. “Yes. And I wanted the other girls to distract me from that.”

  “And their constant vying for your attention kept you occupied so you didn’t have to deal with your real feelings.” Amy raised her eyebrows as she looked at Alex. “Not to mention giving your ego a huge boost.”

  A pang of regret stabbed at Alex, but it was swallowed in the sweet release of telling his sister the truth.

  Amy placed her hand over Alex’s. “I see how this could make you feel, but Alex, you need to understand that at no time are you responsible for the actions of others. Yes, you used their behavior, but you did not solicit it. And when it looked like it was coming between the girls, you stayed away. You only came back after Chantelle apologized and things settled down. You had no way of knowing Shelby would take her horse over that ground. She probably didn’t even know what she was doing, really. It was just one of those spontaneous decisions that had dreadful consequences.”

  Alex slowly nodded as the silence lingered.

  Amy finally asked, “Do you still love Savannah?”

  Alex spread his hands out on the table and gazed at them. If Amy’s question had come just twenty-four hours prior, his denial would’ve come swift and sure. But Shelby’s accident changed things in ways he was just beginning to understand. Life wasn’t an infinite smorgasbord of choices or chances. This startling reality was requiring blunt honesty where smooth disavowal once lived. It required the truth.

  “Yes,” he whispered. Then, looking Amy full in the face, he stated again, “Yes.”

  “So, what are you going to do about it?”

  “I don’t know. We’ve been apart six years. I hear she’s seeing someone else, and now I’m afraid Shelby’s accident will always come between us.”

  “Or it can be the thing that brings you together.” Amy settled in her seat. “Look, Alex. It all depends on how you choose to view things. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been, or if she’s seeing someone else. Is she wearing a ring?”

  Alex shook his head. “I think it’s a new relationship.”

  “Okay, then, if there isn’t any engagement, why do you care? If she’s happy with this man, she’ll tell you. At this point, the only person you’re risking is yourself. Well, I guess you’re risking the other man’s feelings, as well. But if she truly loves him, there will be no risk to him as your intention will be met with kind refusal. Isn’t she worth your risk and effort?”

  “Then, there’s the matter of her family.”

  “She’s grown up a lot since then. And even if she hasn’t, my point still stands. Is she worth the risk and effort?”

  Alex looked into the sweet eyes of his older sister as tears came to his own. “What would I ever do without you?”

  Amy smiled and squeezed his arm. “The good news is, you don’t have to. Now, get some rest. Something tells me you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.”

  Chapter 28

  The following morning, Alex sat in the truck for a long time. He was parked next to Savannah’s car. Most likely, she was already in Shelby’s hospital room. He decided the best thing for him to do was to be there for a few minutes and then talk to Savannah privately. Then, he would leave. He didn’t want Shelby misreading his presence.

  Grabbing Ben’s duffel bag from the seat, Alex walked to the ICU to find everyone gathered around Shelby’s bed. She smiled weakly when she saw Alex. He moved to the foot of the bed, where Savannah stood. Shelby’s eyes followed him. Then, she looked at Savannah and back to him before slowly smiling once again.

  Ben and Keith looked haggard from lack of sleep. Ben sat on one side of Shelby’s bed with Chantelle, while her parents flanked the other side. Each of them was touching Shelby. Charles and Kelly stood back.

  “My throat hurts,” Shelby whispered.

  “That’s to be expected,” Lily said. “The doctors said it would heal in a few days, but we’ll see if we can get you something for the pain.” She pushed the call button.

  Shelby looked up at Ben. “Thank you all for coming.”

  “This young man stayed the whole night with you and I,” Keith said. “He didn’t sleep a wink.”

  Ben reached over the railing and took Shelby’s hand into his. She gave him a sweet slow smile before falling asleep.

  “Has the doctor been in?” Charles asked from the corner of the room.

  Lily nodded without taking her eyes off Shelby. “He says she’s stable and everything is going as planned, and we’re so grateful she’s going to make a full recovery.”

  Charles walked to stand on the other side of Savannah. He placed his arm around her shoulder and gave her a quick squeeze, quietly whispering in her ear. Alex couldn’t catch what was said. Kelly moved next to Charles and placed her hand on his arm.

  A slow burn kindled inside of Alex. He hoped to talk with Savannah without her father or Kelly’s knowledge, but it was also something that couldn’t wait. Placing his hand on the small of Savannah’s back, he asked, “Can I speak with you for a moment?”

  She offered him a warm smile that cheered him. With his hand still on her back, he guided her out of the room.

  Once in the hall, Alex dropped his hand. He did not want to appear presumptuous. “Is there somewhere we can talk, privately?”

  “I think so. I noticed a small chapel close to the hospital entrance. Should we go there?”

  Relief rushed through Alex as they began to walk down the hall. She would hear him out. “That sounds perfect.”

  “I’m so sorry for what’s happened to Shelby,” Alex began.

  “Yes. Me too.”

  “But I have to admit, it’s made me think about things in a different light. I’ve realized that none of us are guaranteed any amount of time.”

  “I’ve had that same feeling,” she said as they waited for the elevator.

  Alex continued, “And I need to talk--.”

  The elevator door opened. They were greeted by a young man, who looked straight at Savannah and smiled. He left the elevator and embraced her before kissing her on the forehead. “I came as soon as I heard,” he said. “How is Shelby?”

  Savannah blinked. “Aaron. I-I—.”

  Alex stepped away. So, this was Savannah’s boyfriend.

  Savannah put some space between herself and Aaron. She turned to face Alex. “Aaron Richards, this is Alex Steele. He’s our neighbor.”

  Aaron gave Alex a suspicious glance.

  “You must be a friend of Shelby’s,” Aaron said.

  “Actually, we were needing to talk,” Savannah said, motioning toward Alex.

  “Can it wait?” Aaron asked. “I’m anxious to see Shelby, and I need you to fill me in on the details before I go in.”

  “Go on,” Alex said. “I guess it wasn’t all that important.”

  Savannah looked at Alex. “But--.”

  “No. Really. I insist. I wasn’t going to stay anyway.” He turned to Aaron. “It was good to meet you.”

  “Likewise,” Aaron said as he placed his arm around Savannah and hurried her down the hall. Alex refused to watch as they walked away, but from his peripheral vision, he saw Savannah turn and give him one last look. Stepping into the elevator, he pushed the necessary buttons before closing his eyes. Maybe it was time to go home to Texas.

  Chapter 29

  Savannah pushed at Aaron.

  “What?” he asked.

  She looked back to see Alex was gone, as if the elevator swallowed him. “Why are you here?” she asked.

  “I thought you might need some support. This kind of thing can really be hard, and not just on the patient but on those who are trying to help.”

  “How did you even hear about Shelby’s accident?”

  “What is this, the Spanish inquisition? Both your dad and Kelly called. I hadn’t ta
lked to Kelly since forever, but she thought I might want to know, so I could be here for you.” Once they reached the double doors of the ICU, Aaron stopped Savannah from entering. “Look, you have to realize I’m here for you. I know I’ve told you I would give you some time and space, and this probably isn’t the place, but I’m just desperate to know if I have a chance with you.”

  Savannah was about to shake her head when her father joined them. “Aaron, how nice to see you.”

  Aaron shook Charles’s hand. “It’s nice to see you too, sir. I was just wanting to check on Savannah and see how she’s doing. I know she’ll want to be a great support for Shelby.”

  Charles clapped his hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “It’s nice of you to think of our Savannah. She’s strong, but she can always use that little extra support. I’m glad you’re here.” He placed his free arm around Savannah’s shoulder.

  Savannah appreciated her father’s newfound warmth, but how much of it was attached to Aaron’s presence and how much of it was based in their father-daughter relationship? If she chose to leave Aaron, would her father turn back into the cold, unfeeling man she had known since her mother died? Was it worth the risk?

  “I’m glad to be here,” Aaron said. “And I’m hoping…well, I’m hoping to be around for a long time.”

  Charles smiled. “Nothing could bring me more pleasure!”

  Kelly came from the room and took Savannah’s hands into her own. “Nor I,” she said as she beamed at Savannah and then Charles. “Isn’t this the best possible news in the face of such a terrible disaster?”

  “Yes, indeed,” Charles agreed. “This makes me very happy.”

  Aaron grinned.

  “Please, excuse me,” Savannah said. “I need to go home for a while.”