The Second Chance Bride (Country Brides & Cowboy Boots)

by Danni Lee Nicholls

  Charles furrowed his brow. “What for?”

  “I’m just a little overwhelmed, and I need some time by myself.”

  “I can take you,” Kelly said.

  Savannah gave Kelly a hard look. “I brought my own car.” Hurrying into Shelby’s room, she said a quick goodbye before grabbing her purse. “I’ll be back later this afternoon,” she stated as she walked away without giving anyone the chance to reply.

  Once in her car, Savannah pulled away from the hospital and found herself driving to Canyon River Park. The playground was filled with children and their mothers, and the riverbank was crowded with swimmers. Still, it allowed Savannah the quiet space she needed to breathe.

  Her mind reflected on Aaron’s behavior, and her decision was made. She hated how he pushed himself on her while telling her of his desire to respect her space and her need for some time. As much as her father approved of the match, she could not give herself to a man who stated one thing while pursuing his own desires.

  Savannah’s phone chimed. She closed her eyes. If this was a text from Aaron, she would not answer it. Checking the message, she found it was from Elle, asking her if they could talk as soon as possible. Why not now? Everything was in upheaval, and Elle’s presence might add perspective. She replied to Elle’s text, telling her where she was.

  When Elle arrived ten minutes later, she hopped into the passenger seat of Savannah’s car, looking stricken.

  Genuine concern pulsed through Savannah. “What’s the matter?” she asked. “Are you all right? Is Jerome okay?”

  Elle nodded. “We’re fine. Listen, Savannah, there’s something I need to tell you, and it’s going to be hard to hear.” Elle pursed her lips. “I feel like I’m responsible for all of this, so I’m really sorry.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “It’s Aaron.” Elle sucked in a big breath. “He’s a gambling addict.”

  “What?”

  “He’s lost everything. He even mortgaged the ranch without his parents knowing it. Do you know what this means? He’s gambled away millions! I don’t even know how someone does that. He has this vision of himself as some sort of high roller. He’s going to lose everything if he doesn’t get a quick infusion of cash.”

  Savannah blinked. “How do you know this?”

  “My mother told me. My mom spent some time with Aaron’s mother at the charity raffle this last week, and, well, you know how Aaron’s mother likes to drink.”

  Savannah wasn’t aware of Mrs. Richards’s drinking habits, but she nodded.

  “Anyway, after several full glasses of wine that amounted to the whole bottle and then some, she told my mother this story about how Aaron came home after maxing all of their credit cards and gambling away the ranch. Since he’s the heir, he’s on the title, and he took out loans. His folks knew about the credit cards, and they were trying to get him in to treatment, but he was resistant. They didn’t know about the ranch until he’d been home for several weeks.”

  “That must’ve been a hard conversation. Is that why—?”

  Elle nodded. “Yeah. I mean, I think he cares for you, but if he can marry you and get his hands on Foss Ranch, you might be able to bail out the Rocking R. Or continue to fuel his gambling habit.” She rushed on. “I’m so sorry. I was the one who introduced you. I thought it would be such a fine match. But he came home only after he lost all his money in Vegas.”

  Savannah stared at Elle.

  “I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”

  Savannah shook her head. “No. Please. First, you really didn’t introduce us. You were just there. And even if you had introduced us, it’s not your fault. The truth is, he’s been so pushy, and I was just sitting here trying to figure it all out. You’ve made this a very easy decision for me, Elle. I can’t thank you enough.”

  “Look, I’ve got to get back to work. I didn’t want to explain this on the phone, so I’m glad we were able to connect.” She gave Savannah a worried look. “Are we still friends?”

  “The best of friends,” she replied. “And I hope I get an invitation to yours and Jerome’s wedding.”

  Elle blushed and looked down at her hands. “We’re taking this nice and slow. He’s been married before, and we both want to make sure this is right.”

  Savannah smiled at her friend. “You’re incredibly wise,” she said. “Give Jerome my best, and let’s get together next week for lunch, okay?”

  Elle reached over and gave Savannah a hug before hurrying out of the car. She waved to Savannah as she pulled away.

  Savannah sat back against the seat and closed her eyes. All the small and big clues began to fit together. Aaron’s pushy behavior, his vague answers about his life in Vegas, the way his face lit up when Savannah talked about betting on the restaurant meal, and even the name of his horse.

  Gratitude filled Savannah for Elle’s blunt honesty and concern, saving her from a disastrous future. There would be many conversations that would need to take place around this news. Savannah would have to tell her father, and maybe even Kelly. But for now, there was only one person with whom she needed to talk.

  Chapter 30

  Pulling into the dirt drive of the old Dempsey home, Savannah had second thoughts as she looked over the cracked and peeling siding on the house. Maybe Alex was just going to ask her opinion on paint color or some other innocuous question. She swallowed hard. That would just be the risk she was going to have to take. Shutting off the engine, she pocketed her keys in her jeans as she walked to the front door and knocked.

  Amy answered. “Why, Savannah. It’s nice to see you. How is Shelby?”

  Savannah explained what she knew.

  “I’m so glad she’s going to make a full recovery. Alex is very upset about all of this, but I suppose…”

  “I’ve come to talk with him, if he’s here.”

  “Actually, you’ve come just in time. He’s packing to head back to Texas for a couple of weeks. I’ve been trying to talk him out of it, but he’s pretty determined. Maybe you can change his mind.” She gave Savannah a warm smile. “I’ll go and get him.”

  As Amy left the room, Savannah placed her open palm on her own heart. Its beat was strong as it pushed her lifeblood as well as fear mingled with hope. Her legs grew weak. She sat in a wingback chair, gazing through the picture window onto the front porch. The sound of footfalls on the stairs caught her attention, and she turned to see Alex followed by Amy.

  “Savannah?” Alex looked astonished.

  “I came to finish our conversation,” she said. “I’m sorry for the interruption.”

  Alex blinked.

  “Perhaps you’d like to show Savannah some of the acreage,” Amy suggested.

  Alex looked at Savannah. “Would you like to see the creek?”

  Savannah smiled as her pulse quickened. Finally, she was going to have a few minutes alone with Alex. “Yeah. I’d love to see the creek.”

  Walking through the backdoor, Alex and Savannah strolled into the early afternoon sun. The grass had browned considerably in the mid-July warmth.

  “The creek is a little cooler, and there are willows and greener grass.”

  “That sounds nice.”

  As they walked in silence, Savannah’s mind was racing around the possibilities of this moment. But even with all of the excitement, there was still that steady pulse between her and Alex, as if they shared the same heartbeat. The familiarity of that warmed Savannah from the inside as they came to the creek that tumbled over rocks.

  Sitting on the stony slab of the bank, Savannah turned to Alex. “I was hoping we could finish our earlier conversation.”

  Alex hesitated. Then, he looked at Savannah. “Now that I have the opportunity to talk, I’m not sure quite how to say this, especially after meeting your boyfriend.”

  Savannah leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees. “Aaron is not my boyfriend.”

  “Does he know that?”

  “He will before the day is
out,” Savannah said. Her voice became gentle. “I’ve been seeing him for about a month now, and I’ve never felt that way about him.” She looked down at the clear creek burbling in its path. “I’ve tried, but it’s just not there.”

  “Savannah--.” Alex grabbed her hands. “I-I’m not always the best with words, but the truth is, I’ve tried with others too. But I can never make up those feelings that come so naturally with you.” He looked down at her hands as he gently rubbed them between his own fingers. “When I came back, I did so with the idea that I’d finally get over you, but instead, I found myself falling even deeper in love.” He paused. “If you don’t feel the same, or if you have other…obligations, I’ll leave this alone, but I’m glad I’ve finally told you, just in case.”

  Savannah’s earlier confusion dissipated as their shared and familiar joy flooded through her. Alex was really here, and he loved her as she loved him. The warmth of his hands pulsed through her body, making her feel alive! There was no greater gift than the one he was now offering, and she would not refuse it again. This was her second chance, and she would grab it with both hands and hold it close. No one would ever come between them again.

  Savannah squeezed Alex’s fingers. “I never stopped loving you,” she said. “She looked up into Alex’s eyes. “And I don’t want to stop loving you.”

  Alex reached up and brushed a stray hair from Savannah’s face before caressing her cheek. Learning into his touch, Savannah looked into his blue eyes, and placed her hand over his as he drew her near in a kiss. The touch of his lips on hers filled her with both deep satisfaction and the desire for more. Oh, how she loved this man! She pulled herself close to him as his warm breath mingled with hers.

  “I thought you were lost to me,” Alex whispered.

  “I have been lost,” Savannah said. “But not now. Not anymore.”

  Chapter 31

  Savannah turned her face to the warming sun as she relaxed on a bench near the banks of the Mission River. She listened to the water flowing lazily over rocky slabs, forming pools and lapping against the bank. Turning her attention to the stream, Savannah allowed all of her earlier tension, fear, and sorrow to ebb from her as the water washed it away. Alex loved her, and they were going to be together.

  Letting out a long sigh, Savannah leaned against the bench. Then, she straightened up. There were still some hard things ahead, and one of them would take place in a few minutes. Pulling out her phone, she sent Aaron a text, asking him to meet her at the park. She waited for the familiar chime of the return. It came immediately. Aaron promised to be at the park in ten minutes. Savannah didn’t look forward to this conversation, but she refused to allow it to penetrate her happiness over her and Alex being reunited.

  When Savannah told Alex of her necessary conversation with Aaron, he offered to come with her, but Savannah refused. She wanted to see Aaron alone. Having one difficult conversation might help prepare her for the talk she would have with her father later this evening.

  Footsteps neared Savannah’s location, and she turned to see Aaron hurrying toward her. Unexpected anger filtered through her as she thought about Elle’s disclosure about Aaron. If she were to continue seeing him, would he ever tell her about his gambling debts? She brushed those thoughts aside. None of it mattered now.

  “I am so sorry,” he began as he sat next to her. “I shouldn’t have pushed you like that.”

  Savannah turned toward him and held up her hands. “Aaron--.”

  Aaron continued, “No. Really. It was wrong of me, and I’m sorry.”

  Savannah shook her head. “I appreciate what you’re saying, but I’m not here to discuss that. There’s something you should know.”

  “There’s someone else, isn’t there?”

  Savannah nodded. “When we talked last night, I wasn’t seeing anyone. But about six years ago, I fell in love with a man, but we…broke up. He came back to town a couple of months ago, but we really haven’t talked until today. We’re going to work things out between us.”

  “It’s the man I saw at the hospital, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. His name is Alex.” Savannah tried to keep her happiness in check. She didn’t want to appear gleeful while telling Aaron she no longer wanted to see him.

  “I thought so.”

  Savannah knitted her brow. “How did you know?”

  “I saw the way he looked at you, and I noticed how you kept looking back at him while we were walking down the hall. It wasn’t hard to figure out once I thought about it.”

  “Aaron--.”

  Aaron shook his head. “I wish I’d come along sooner,” he said.

  “I appreciate the sentiment, Aaron, but it wouldn’t have made any difference. I love Alex. I’ve loved him for six years.”

  “Well, he’s a lucky man,” Aaron said as he stood.

  Savannah rose from the bench. “Thank you.”

  Aaron walked a few steps away before turning toward Savannah one more time. She waited for him to speak, but after a moment, he simply turned and left her alone on the banks of the Mission River.

  Savannah sat back down and watched the sun splash upon the water as the sound of children’s laughter filtered through on the light summer breeze. Her earlier anger toward Aaron dissipated and was replaced with a sense of sorrow. He was facing a long and difficult path, but at least she was spared the journey with him. She sighed with relief and gratitude for Elle’s friendship and Alex’s love.

  Savannah was feeling more than gratitude as she recalled her earlier conversation with Alex about Aaron. What a relief to recognize the soundness of her own judgment and that Alex would stand by her, no matter what she was about to face, including her father.

  Savannah pulled in a tentative breath, and she dreaded the necessary conversation with her dad. She hated the idea of disrupting their newfound connection. Ever since she began dating Aaron, and now with Shelby’s accident, her father had loosened up. Even though their relationship was falling back into loving and familiar patterns, it also felt new and fragile. Savannah didn’t want to give that up.

  Turning back to her phone, Savannah texted Alex, telling him all went well and Aaron was understanding. Alex replied, asking her if he could go with her to talk to her father. Peace filled her mind. She was making the right decision. Alex was the man with whom she wanted to spend her life, and she was ready to face anything for him. But she desperately hoped it was a compromise she wouldn’t have to make.

  It would be wonderful to have him by her side while she spoke with her father, and yet this was a conversation that needed to happen without the presence of others to influence emotions. She wanted her father to be free to express himself, maybe even venture into the new and delicate vulnerability, something he would never consider in the presence of another man. And yet, she wanted Alex close, waiting, just in case things went south and she needed his strong, unwavering assistance to help her weather another storm. Savannah thought for a moment, then asked Alex to meet her at the house, but that she wanted to speak to her father alone.

  Chapter 32

  “Dad?”

  Charles looked up from the paper he was reading. “Savannah. I’m glad to see you. There’s something we need to discuss.”

  Savannah swallowed hard. “Yes, Dad, there is. I need to talk to you about Aaron and…my future.”

  Charles smiled. “I’m so glad you see a future with him. I can’t imagine a better choice.”

  “Actually, Dad, my future isn’t with Aaron.”

  Charles scowled. “Don’t throw this away, Savannah. He’s a wonderful young man.”

  Savannah sat down next to her father. “He seems to be, doesn’t he? But I learned something about him today that made me realize I could never marry him.” She hesitated. “And I learned something about myself.”

  Charles remained silent as Marissa walked into the room and sat down.

  “Aaron is a compulsive gambler.”

  “What?!” Charles gasped.
/>   Marissa drew in her breath as her eyes grew large. “Well, isn’t that something! Mr. Perfect isn’t so perfect after all.”

  Savannah ignored her sister and concentrated on her dad as she explained her conversation with Elle. “I talked with Aaron afterward, but I didn’t tell him what I’ve learned. I don’t want him to feel desperate. But his whole point in singling me out was to get his hands on Foss Ranch. How better to do that than to woo the daughter who’s in charge of the books? We’re solvent while the Rocking R is going down the tubes. He needs collateral and cash, and we’ve got both.”

  “You mean to tell me he wanted to marry you so he could get his fingers in the business?” Charles asked, his mouth agape.

  “Yeah. Pretty much.”

  “Well, that just takes the cake,” Marissa said as she gave a mock pout. “Poor Savannah.”

  Charles turned toward Marissa. “One more word out of you, and so help me, Marissa, I’ll ban you from Denver for a whole year.”

  Marissa pouted for real as she sank into the leather couch.

  “There’s something else, Dad.”

  Charles turned his attention back to Savannah.

  “You’re not going to like what I have to say, but I’m asking you to calmly hear me.”

  Charles furrowed his brow.

  “I am in love, but it isn’t with Aaron Richards.”

  “You’ve been seeing someone else?”

  “No. Not for a long time, anyway. It’s Alex Steele.”

  “Oh, really!” Marissa exclaimed. “What makes you think he’d ever look at you?”

  “That’s it, Marissa. Leave this conversation.”

  “But—”

  “Go. Now.”

  Marissa gave Savannah a hard look as she strode out of the living area, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor.

  Charles took a deep breath. “I promised you calm, but you’re trying my patience.”

  Savannah pulled up her joy from her time with Alex. It soothed her soul as she took a deep breath. “Yes, and I thank you for listening. You remember him, don’t you? I fell in love with him all those years ago.”