Page 25 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

And he’d already failed.

She stopped and faced him. The remaining slivers of sunlight trickled through the canopy of trees, casting a warm glow on her skin. Making her eyes appear nearly translucent. He silently cursed the fact that below the belt arousal clutched him.

“You don’t have to do this,” she said.

“Yes, I do,” he said matter-of-factly. He was roped in.

“I know Bea forced you into this—”

“Not because Beadidindeed force me into this, but you need to see the lay of the land. You won’t get much sightseeing in before dark, but over the next few days you should meet the hands. Check out the cattle. Familiarize yourself with things. See the books. You didn’t think you’d just sweep in and have a vacation, did you?”

“I feel like I’ll just be in the way.”

He laughed. “Good one. Let’s take my truck.” He led the way.

Once they were inside, he started the engine and steered toward the pasture. The shocks squeaked as they hit just about every pothole in the field, some on purpose. She even clutched the strap in a white-knuckled fist.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to follow the lane?” she asked in a tense tone.

“When we can go from A to B in half the time? Nah. Enjoy the scenery.” He hid his smile.

“I don’t see anything.” She darted her gaze around, looking through the windows.

“You will. Hang tight.”

She unclenched her fingers from the strap and laid her palms into her lap, appearing a bit strained. Fifteen years ago, she would’ve been nestled against him, her fingers buried in the ends of his hair, his hat resting in her lap, and laying her head on his shoulder. They’d have the music blasted and singing along. Kids being kids.

Rip trembled at the memory.

She’d been his everything.

He’d never wanted anyone as much as he’d wanted her. Hungered for her. Would have walked barefoot across the mountain to be near her. Her smile had made him weak, and yet the strongest man alive.

It took him years to wrap his head around how a love so strong could end so quickly.

Truthfully, he’d been heartbroken. He’d tried to talk to her, clear up the confusion—whatever it was—but she’d shut him down cold. Stopped taking his calls. Wouldn’t even see him.

The pain of losing her had dulled over the years, but remnants remained like shards of glass that sliced him deep sometimes.

Rip had eventually scooped up his remaining pride off the floor and moved forward without her. Soon after she’d moved and he thought he’d never see her again.

Fate had a way of showing a man that he should never say “never”.

Everyone had a right to their feelings. If she’d decided her life was better without him then that was that. Yet, he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something happened graduation night. Something she didn’t want to tell him.

Maybe he wanted to believe anything but the truth. She didn’t love him the way he’d loved her.

Now she had a kid.

The old pain had sharp, jagged points. The longer she was at Bluebird the sharper the internal mountains would get. He wanted to eradicate all the need and desire from his body but the attempt was futile.

Even sitting next to her felt like slow torture.

Gripping the steering wheel, he kept his gaze steady ahead. The headlights feathered across the pasture.

For a moment in time, he’d had a crush on Farrah. Then she’d married his Pa and they were happy. Rip gripped the steering wheel tighter. His brothers all thought he was still pining over Farrah, but truth was, if he’d really been that interested in her he’d made a move long ago. She and John Ryder were meant to be together. Seeing his pa so happy made the Ryder brothers proud. The old man deserved to be in love again.

Rip had a lot going on.

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