Second Chance at Love

by Rhonda Laurel

  “Ladies, I hate to cut your visit short, but the kids and I have some things to do today. I’ll keep an eye out for all animals. Both real and imagined.” Alex winked.

  “We’ll let you get to it.” Patty squeezed his hand. “When you have more time, I can stop by and go over the rest of the manual with you.”

  Adrian moved closer and put her hand on his arm. “I can give you a tour of the town if you’re free one evening.”

  Alex stepped back. “Thanks. I’m friends with Grayson Bennett. He’s expecting to give me the grand tour when he returns to town.”

  “You’re friends with Dr. Bennett?” Mona's voice rose a bit.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh.” Evie blushed. “He’s done work on half the—”

  “Quiet, Evie.” Brenda nudged her gently in the ribs.

  The ladies piled the meals into his arms and rambled off instructions on how to reheat the dishes. Once they’d loaded back into their golf carts and had pulled out of the driveway, he shut the door and headed into the kitchen with the kids in tow.

  “Do you think there’s coyotes and cougars out there?” Chloe asked as she opened the dishwasher.

  “I think it’s a case of ‘The Little Cougar Who Cried Coyote.’” Alex set the dishes down on the counter and inspected them. “The ladies were trying to find a nice way to say Mrs. Myers might be making up the coyote to get someone to spend time with her.”

  “Oh. She’s lonely.” Noah sipped his cranberry juice as he began clearing the table.

  “Something like that.” He surveyed the kitchen.

  “I thought you said we wouldn’t be getting any more casseroles when we moved here?” Noah asked.

  “I apparently misspoke, son.” He gave him a rub on the head. “Why don’t I finish up in here while you two get dressed? We’ll make another trip to the market and stock up on some things before Uncle Derek and Aunt Charisma get here.”

  “OK, Dad.”

  Alex smiled as the kids scampered out of the kitchen. They may have been getting used to their new home, but they kept up the teamwork. His thoughts skipped back to the strange introduction to the neighborhood that had showed up on his front porch. The welcoming committee definitely had a Desperate Housewives vibe and had done their homework on him. One sheet of baking instructions even had Mona’s phone number on it. The last thing he needed was another crop of women thinking he and the kids needed a woman’s touch. They were doing just fine, thank you very much.

  Besides, no one could replace Rachel. She was one in a million and the love of his life.

  No one could ever replace her. Sure, pangs of loneliness would creep up on him when he least expected. Watching a romantic movie and seeing a couple holding hands sent a dull pain through his heart. He missed caring for someone, talking about their day while fixing dinner, and making vacation plans. It was those simple moments that he missed so much. Rachel’s constant chatter had a way of soothing him, so much so she’d swear he wasn’t listening, but he’d really be hanging on to her every word.

  But the thought of jumping back into the dating pool sent shivers down his spine. Now there was more at stake. He had the kid’s feelings to consider, and he didn’t want them getting attached to every woman he dated.

  He retrieved the association manual and took a look at the activities schedule inside it. Harper’s Grove was brimming with good old-fashioned fun. There were festivals, concerts, baking contests, and there was even a course at the local annex to teach older singles how to use Internet dating sites. He laughed to himself. Another reason to stay out of the dating pool was that technology had invaded romance. He knew it was the new and hip thing to do, but the thought of finding love through his laptop seemed more like a sappy movie plot on that romance channel he always skipped when he was channel-hopping. Nightmarish stories about people cat-fishing, a term he’d recently become aware of, had turned him off to that idea. There was no telling who you were really chatting with or if the person had nefarious intentions. He’d seen plenty of scenarios like that on the show Web Crimes on the Investigative Channel.

  It sounded hokey, but he preferred the real world to the virtual. You could tell all you needed to know when you peered into a person’s eyes or touched their hand. He’d already found the perfect woman once, and he’d met her in person, in college while trying to get lunch before his chemistry class. He didn’t believe he’d have such wonderful luck again.

  Risking his heart again wasn’t a chance he was willing to take.

  * * *

  Alex cradled his niece Alexis in his arms, gently keeping the rocking motion at a steady pace. The littlest Popovich wasn’t going down without a fight; she’d been fighting sleep for the past half hour. Alexis Grace was perfection, and he loved every moment he could get with her, but he knew she needed her midday nap. A stunning combination of her mom and dad, the little beauty had the family’s trademark blue eyes and dark hair. Instead of giving in to the call of slumber, her curious eyes darted around to take in the activity going on in the house. He continued to lull her to sleep, and five more minutes later, she’d finally decided to close her eyes. He smiled. There would still be plenty to see when she woke up.

  Derek and Charisma dived in to help get the new house in order as soon as they’d arrived. Most things were already unpacked, but he knew Charisma, with her decorating skills, would add extra touches that would give their rooms a unique flair.

  “You have the magic touch. She fights her sleep all the time.” Derek took a picture of them with his cell phone.

  “So did you when you were little. Mom and Dad made sure you were exhausted before you went to sleep so they could get some rest too.”

  “And it never worked.” Derek laughed.

  “I remember when Noah and Chloe were this age. It’s a wonderful time. Before you know it, she’ll be asking you to buy her a car.” Alex placed her gently in the basinet. “I can’t believe how much she’s grown since I saw her last.”

  Derek looked around. “I can’t believe you bought her all this stuff. I would have gone out and gotten her some things.”

  “Nonsense. When we moved, I knew I’d need some things for Alexis when you visited. It was fun shopping for a baby again.”

  “Thanks.”

  “How was her last visit with the pediatrician? You said you had an appointment before you left town.”

  “Everything’s good. The doctor says it’s fine that she’s graduated to solid food ahead of her development schedule. Then the doctor told us to stop obsessing with the books and the articles. Lex will show us when it’s time to take the next step. Personally, I think she’s way ahead of what I read in books.”

  Alex smiled. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from my beautiful niece. She is a Popovich, after all. We’re classic overachievers.”

  “Yeah, and we look like lazy slobs compared to Theo, that adrenaline junkie.”

  Baby brother Theo was always pursuing the latest thrill. Motocross was his current obsession. Last year he was treasure hunting in the Mediterranean. The year before that he was into extreme mountain climbing. The only thing Theo loved more than adventure was women. Alex knew it was just being young and enjoying life, but he and Derek liked to keep tabs on him.

  “I’m convinced our parents grew our baby brother in a pod as some philosophy experiment.”

  “That would explain…everything about him.” Derek laughed. “Have you heard from the adventurous duo?”

  “They said something about slowing down for a bit and taking a three-week cruise.”

  “I hope I have that kind of stamina when I’m their age. I can barely keep up with Alexis now.” Derek touched his daughter’s cheek. She was sleeping soundly in the basinet. “Sometimes I come home from a game and just watch her sleep for hours.”

  “I used to do the same thing. I’d come home from a seventeen hour shift at the hospital, but I still couldn’t help looking in on the kids. It used to drive Rachel crazy. I still
do it now, just check to make sure everything is OK.”

  Derek looked around. “She would have loved this place. I think you made a great choice.”

  “You don’t think it’s a little ostentatious?” He scratched at his beard. The new house was lovely, but sometimes he felt like he’d gone overboard.

  “For the head of cardiology at a prestigious hospital? Not at all.” Derek patted him on the back. “This is prime real estate. You have plenty of space and a gorgeous view.”

  “You’re right. I guess every now and again it sinks in that I’ve uprooted my family and left Portland to start over.”

  “And you’re starting something new here,” Derek gently replied. “But that doesn’t mean you’re forgetting your past.”

  “Could have fooled me.” He looked around and there was nothing of Rachel’s anywhere. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t make the new house a shrine, but it felt alien not to have her pictures out and her favorite blanket on the couch.

  Derek opened his mouth to reply, but then Charisma entered the room with a big box in her hands.

  “Babe.” Derek sprinted over there and took it from her. “What are you doing lifting this big box?”

  “It’s really not that heavy.” She shook her head. “Alex, tell your brother to stop fawning over me like I’m some delicate flower.”

  “I agree with my brother.” Alex went over and put his arm around her. “You’ve got two big, strong, strapping men here. You should not be lifting things.”

  Derek flashed her a cheesy grin as he set the box down. “Fragile. What’s in here?”

  “The special occasion china,” she replied.

  “Ah.” Alex nodded. “Bro, can you put it in the dining room?”

  “Sure.”

  “Oops!” a voice said from the garage, immediately followed by a loud crash.

  They all looked at Alexis, who hadn’t moved an inch.

  “She fights her sleep,” Charisma said. “But when she’s down for the count, you could play the bagpipes in her ears and she won’t budge.”

  “What are they doing out there?” Derek asked.

  “They’re organizing their outdoor toys to be put in the shed,” Charisma replied.

  “I’ll go help.” Derek walked down the hallway that led to the garage.

  “Tell the kids we’re due for a break,” Alex called after him. “We’ll have lunch in a bit.”

  Charisma smiled. “I can throw some sandwiches together.”

  “I’ve got it. You’ve been working like a madwoman since you got here.” Alex gave her a good squeeze. “How’s my favorite sister-in-law? You look fabulous, by the way. No one could ever tell you recently had a beautiful baby girl.”

  “Oh stop it.” She swatted at his arm. “I’m doing great and I love this house. The virtual tour I saw online does not do this place justice. There’s plenty of space and natural light. The floor plan is open and has so many possibilities.”

  “The kids and I are still getting used to it.”

  “It will take some time. I felt like there was too much space at our place, but a month later I was asking Derek if he wanted to buy the floor below us too.” She giggled.

  “You know how to turn raw things into something wonderful. And that includes my brother.” He winked.

  “I’d like to think we were a mutual reclamation project.” She opened the box Derek had taken from her and began placing things in the China cabinet.

  “And look how wonderful everything turned out. My niece is going to be a beautiful doctor.”

  Charisma laughed. “Already calling dibs on her profession?”

  “I’m planting the seed that she can be anything she wants.” He tapped at his temple. “But if she decides to go into medicine, her uncle will be extremely happy.”

  “At least that’s a real job. Trevor wants her to be a cryptographer. I don’t even know what they do.”

  “I think they decipher codes and things like that.”

  “Huh.” She shook her head. “And tell your brother that princess is primarily a non-paying gig.”

  “Tell that to the royal families around the world.” He grinned. “Besides, if I try to talk some sense into him, I’d be a hypocrite. I told Chloe the same thing.”

  “But not Noah?”

  “Oh Noah can be a prince. He just has to work hard and buy his own castle.”

  “Double standard much?” Charisma folded her arms over her chest.

  “I know. I know. The times are a changing. But I’m convinced that being a strong, self-sustaining man will never go out of style or become less relevant as society continues to evolve.”

  “And how do you justify spoiling Chloe?”

  “I blame my father. Sienna did whatever she wanted our entire childhood. When she got interested in fashion, she would buy magazines and tell us about the importance of being well-groomed men. Of course Derek countered that he was already so good-looking that he didn’t have to put in the extra effort.”

  “So you all were her guinea pigs. She gives great tips in her magazine, by the way.” Charisma unwrapped a wine glass. “Derek says she’s the reason why he learned to appreciate fine tailoring. I’d say Sienna is the reason why the Popovich men look so good.”

  “I guess she has helped in some ways.” He stroked his chin. “I’ve always been the best dressed out of all of my friends.”

  “See?”

  He took a glass out of the box. “How was the return to work?”

  “It was hard at first. My body was there, but my heart and brain were with Lex. I didn’t know it would be that difficult to leave her. I knew she was in good hands, my grandma is babysitting her, after all. But still I just missed being in my own private world with her and Derek. I thought I’d cycled through the nesting tendencies while I was pregnant. It just got worse after we brought her home.”

  “It’s perfectly natural.” He gave her a knowing smile. Derek had told him that she’d had a hard time returning to the fold.

  “I have an assistant now. Itza was moved from reception to working for me. She’s a nice young lady, but she talks so much. Sometimes I want to her to shut up. But oddly, her stories of perpetual single-dom help pass the time, and I don’t dwell on being away from Lex so much.”

  “See, a chatty assistant is a good thing.”

  “My saving grace is that Grandma is getting good at videoconferencing, so I can call and see her whenever I want.”

  “Derek told me he sometimes doubles back to your grandma’s house after he’s dropped her off to play peek-a-boo before he goes to practice.”

  “That man.” She shook her head. “He wanted to take her to the Slap Shot with him.”

  “Don’t be too hard on him.”

  “I’ll give him a pass. I know how good it feels to spend time with your dad.”

  “You’ve been making progress with your father?”

  “We have brunch twice a month. He’s been trying, and I decided to give a new relationship a chance. It’s refreshing. I’ve even made some progress with my mom too. She wants to be in Alexis’s life for all the right reasons, and I believe her.”

  “That’s wonderful to hear. You two certainly are setting the world on fire. Successful careers, new baby. That’s the good life.”

  “Derek’s so excited about the chain of Slap Shots in the Blake Hotels. Jared assigned me to the account, so we’re working together.”

  “Awesome.”

  “Uh, not so awesome. He wants to brainstorm at the oddest times. It’s awkward to bill your husband a consulting fee when you know it was meshed in between pillow talk.” She laughed.

  “I’m proud of him. He found another passion after you, Alexis, and hockey.”

  She put the last wineglass on the shelf. “I wish we could stay longer and help out more. I really want you guys to be happy about being here.”

  “I appreciate everything you’ve done in such a short time. You are a decorating dynamo. Noah loves the te
lescope you bought him, and the iridescent stars you two put on his ceiling were a nice touch. The dancer’s bar on Chloe’s wall was ingenious.”

  “I’m just glad Derek bought enough stars for Chloe’s room too. I knew once she saw them she’d want them. If they’re going to be an astronaut and a ballerina, they have to have these things.” Charisma grinned. “That is until they find something else that grabs their attention, then we’ll redecorate.”

  “Thank you.” Alex smiled at her. “For taking the time with the kids, especially Chloe. You’ve given Chloe’s room a feminine touch I would never have been able to emulate.”

  “No thanks necessary, I love being Aunt Charisma.”

  “They love you too.” He gave a critical once-over. She looked refreshed and happy.

  “I can’t wait until Lex is old enough to get to know them. I want her to know all of her cousins. I don’t want her to be lonely because she’s an only child.”

  “I know my brother would be happy to help you remedy that.”

  “Yes, he would.” She smiled, then her expression turned serious for a moment before the smile returned again. “We better get lunch started.”

  They went into the kitchen and started assembling sandwiches. Charisma was talking about everything under the sun except whatever had sparked that look. They’d grown pretty close over the past several months, and he knew his sister-in-law didn’t hold back. He wanted to believe they could talk about anything.

  “Something on your mind?” He slathered mayo on the bread for Derek’s sandwich.

  She bit her lip and opened the pickle jar. “There were a couple of boxes in the corner of the garage marked fragile. I opened one of them thinking it would be best to unpack it. I didn’t notice you’d written Rachel on the side, honest.”

  He let out a sigh of relief. He’d thought it was something more serious. “So you saw Rachel’s things. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  “OK. I didn’t want you think I was prying.”

  “We’re family. There’s no such word in our vocabulary.” He started on the next sandwich. “We’ve talked about her before. I hope you don’t think it’s a taboo subject for me.”