Page 21 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

Taking down two China bowls, and a plastic one for Ollie, she set the table, a round mahogany one that took the place of the old pockmarked farmhouse table that was once here. “Where did the old table go, Bea?”

“It’s in the basement in storage. Along with a lot of Cybal’s furniture and belongings. Tuck couldn’t bear to part with them. Who knew the old stern man had a heart that big? Make that four place settings.”

“Four? Are you expecting company?”

“Oh…I guess you must not know. Of course, you remember Rip, right? He lives in the cottage. He eats dinner here nearly every evening unless he has plans in town. He’s a busy man and I enjoy having someone to take care of.” Bea started humming a church hymn.

Noelle would save the fact that she saw Rip recently. Her heart pounded, threatening to dislocate a rib. Remembering the last time they saw each other, the kiss they’d shared, and their heated argument left her ridiculously warm. “Wonderful,” Noelle said glumly.

“I insisted that he eat here. That boy works about as hard and efficiently as a mule in its prime. Working here. Working at Ryde Hard. And now he has the trouble with all those teens messing up the property with their trash, tearing up fences, and causing trouble. Back in my day my pa would have introduced them to his friend Winchester. He’d only scare them of course but he’d never have a problem again. These days we must walk a fine line.”

“Trouble?” Noelle didn’t remember Rip mentioning anything exciting happening at Bluebird.

Bea shook her head in disgrace. “Drunken teens knocked down the fence over at the Highland pasture. Tuck would roll in his grave if he knew that a handful were lost.”

While grabbing another bowl down, Noelle asked, “Were they found?”

“Yep, and thankfully unharmed. But I guarantee Rip isn’t going to just sit back and let it happen again. He’s a good man.”

She realized how much she would have to rely on him to keep things afloat. She had no clue where to start.

Noelle needed to get her emotions wrangled before Rip came strolling inside the house. Otherwise, she might make a big fool out of herself. She hadn’t thought of much else these days except for the kiss they shared. The feelings it had evoked had burrowed into the center of her bones and Lord help her, she wanted more.

That wouldn’t happen.

Couldn’t happen.

She didn’t come back to town for a second chance. Or a third chance. She’d lost count because she and Rip had broken up a few times while they were together. Both stubborn, they’d faced each other on occasion and neither compromising. She realized she’d matured a lot in the last fifteen years. Becoming a mother had taught her a lot about selflessness.

“What time is dinner?” Noelle asked.

“Six sharp.”

“I’d like to run upstairs, take a shower, change my clothes, and feel a bit more human.” She wasn’t even going to ponder the thought that she had a desire to look more pulled together for Rip’s benefit. She didn’t care what he thought.

“You go right on ahead, dear.”

“Come on, Ollie.”

“Let that boy stay and play. He’s preoccupied with that truck and happy as a pig in a mud pit. I’ll watch him. I’ve had three of my own, and six grandkids. I think I can handle the fellow,” Bea said in a raised voice which usually happened when she got excited.

Noelle hesitated. Not that she didn’t trust Bea, but since Ollie was born, he’d only stayed with Sammie and Patricia. “Are you sure? Although he seems pretty chill right now he likes to explore. He can go ninety-to-a-hundred in a blink of an eye.”

“You’re taking a shower not going on an African Safari. They don’t call me Memaw over at church for no reason.” She pulled up her sleeves to show she was serious. “Been working in the nursery for years.”

“Okay. Thank you. I won’t be long. I’ve learned the art of taking quick showers.”

“Take your time.” Bea flicked her hand through the air, waving Noelle on.

At the bottom of the back stairs, Noelle looked over her shoulder. Ollie hadn’t even noticed that she was no longer near him. Bea was singing him a song. It was quite nice being back.

***

Rip washed up with the water hose outside and strolled toward the farmhouse. There he saw the two-door silver sedan, recognizing it as the one in the driveway at Noelle’s, and his chest filled with…what exactly? Derry had informed Rip that Noelle called, stating she planned to come to Bluebird.

Not asking for details, Rip had no clue how long she’d stay.

A part of him wanted to skip out on dinner tonight, but that meant he’d only have two options. Nuke himself a frozen meal in the microwave or drive all the way back into town to grab something. Neither sounded appetizing. Since he’d moved onto Bluebird, Bea had been spoiling him with homemade meals, bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches for breakfast, and chocolate chip cookies every evening. A man could get used to such treatment.

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