Page 20 of Second Chance Spring in Paradise

Her smile grows wide and soft. “You really think so?”

I nod and kiss her again.

I don’t believe in magic, but I do believe in our little Second Chance Spring. It’s where my parents met and fell in love. Years later, it's where my family met at the end of a long day of herding cattle to soak our tired bones before doing it all again the next day. It’s where I went every time my rodeo scores weren’t what I wanted before I headed off to the next one.

The only time it hadn’t worked is when it couldn’t heal my back enough to let me get on a bronc again. But if it had, I’d be on the road right now instead of sitting under the stars with Tessa’s arms wrapped around my neck.

I don’t know how much time passes, but I’m the one who pulls away next. If I don’t, I won’t stop. That’s not the direction I want to take this relationship—or whatever it is right now. Not yet.

“I promised we wouldn’t do anything besides look at the stars,” I say.

“Yes, you did.” She kisses my cheek and traces her lips to my neck. “But you don’t have to keep that promise.”

I suck in my breath and every ounce of willpower I can. “Don’t think I’m tempted not to, but I think it’s best that I do.”

Tessa sits back and tips her head to the side. She studies me for a few seconds, her pupils wide enough that only a rim of gray is visible. “You’re right.” She takes off my hat and combs her hand through my hair. “I hate that you’re right, but you are.”

She turns in my lap, but instead of standing up, she leans back and stretches out her legs. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her further onto my lap, then tuck my chin into her shoulder. Her stomach dips as she lets out a quiet sigh.

“What are we doing here, Rowdy?”

“Looking at stars and enjoying each other’s company.”

“You know what I mean.” She laces her fingers through mine. “I’m leaving in ten days.”

Her words hit me right in the gut with a surprise punch. Thinking about her leaving shouldn’t hurt the way it does, but I force a smile and a joke. “You’re not convinced by the stars and the s’mores that you could have a life here?”

“It’s not that. They areveryconvincing.” She tips her head back and lets out a long breath. “The thing is, even though I can’t afford the down payment on a house in California, I can afford my rent there. I thought things would be different in Paradise, but I can’t afford anything you’ve shown me.”

“There’s places to rent here. Probably cheaper, too, than where you’re at.” I don’t mention how short we are on rentals. I’ve got to hold onto hope somehow.

Tessa shakes her head. “Doesn’t make sense to leave a place where I’m settled to rent in another place where there are fewer job opportunities. If I have to give up writing, I need to have options. If I keep writing, I need to be somewhere I can network with other writers and promote my books at bookstores and other venues. LA has a lot of both.”

I don’t have much to say to that. Everything she’s saying makes sense. But it doesn’t feel right.

“Can I ask you something?” I say carefully.

Tessa looks over her shoulder at me, then nods.

“What were you doing at the spring?”

The glow that rises to her cheeks is visible in the light of the fire. “Do we have to talk about that?”

“You don’t have to give me an answer but think about it. Why were you willing to risk getting caught naked in that spring?” I keep my voice level, trying to not push her into an answer. But I’ve got an idea percolating that could make it possible for Tessa to stay. If she’s open to it.

“I was desperate for a second chance,” she answers, staring into the fire.

“Was? You’re not anymore?”

Two deep breaths follow before she answers. “I don’t know. Maybe not?”

“What kind of second chance are you looking for?” I’ve made the same wish—not in the spring, persay, but I asked, nonetheless. What I learned is second chances rarely look the way we want them to, but they turn out okay anyway.

“Do I have to answer that?” She asks with a breathy laugh.

“You don’t have to answer anything you don’t want to.” I brush a kiss across the hollow where her neck and collar bone meet. “But I’ll be gentle with whatever you want to tell me.”

“Writing and love.” The words spill out. “That’s what I asked for a second chance at.”

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