Page 31 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

He knew how much she loved Mexican food. “Considering it’s the only place in town that serves tacos, I’d say there’s no arguing that they serve the best. Remember how we used to have to go over to Wildflower on Taco Tuesday? It was worth the drive for the food. I haven’t been there in years. I doubt the food truck has fake meat though.”

“It’s okay. I like bean tacos with all the fixings.”

“Okay, you stick with beans and I’ll go for the chicken.” He rubbed his hands together. “Now I’m starving.”

A comfortable silence fell over them as they enjoyed the slight breeze and watching a few kids who were enjoying the merry-go-round. She finally said, “Derry gave me a check. Tuck’s savings.”

“The old man knew how to save.” Rip draped his arm over the back of the bench.

“It was definitely more than I could imagine.” She kicked up a rock with the toe of her shoe.

“You don’t sound very happy.”

She shrugged and the strap of the tan top she wore slipped down one shoulder. It took everything he had not to drag it back up.

“This is all so overwhelming. To learn Tuck was my father. Then the inheritance. Now the money. It feels a bit dreamlike.”

“Life can sometimes throw us some great curveballs.”

“I believe Derry thinks I should sell,” she said.

Rip shrugged. “It’s not up to Derry though. You have to do what’s right for you and your son.”

“Thank you, Rip.”

“For what?”

“For having so much faith in me.”

Chapter 10

Noelle and Rip sat facing the lake in the park with a happy Ollie sitting between them double-fisting his food into his mouth. He had sticky hands and a stained shirt, but Noelle believed making a mess was half the fun of tacos.

Noelle had forgotten some of her own manners as she chowed down on her amazing bean tacos. She knew Rip wouldn’t judge her because he scarfed down his hard-shell tacos. All she could do was laugh at their mess, like they were teens again with not a single care in the world.

But she reminded herself that they’d both matured and were older. With heavy responsibilities weighing on their shoulders. Yet, she too wanted to be friends with Rip.

Why not?

“Thanks for suggesting this. I’ve enjoyed it,” she said, wiping her fingers off on a wet towelette compliments of the food truck.

“I did too.” His smile grew by leaps and bounds. “Tacos are always better with company. Little man here seems to have inherited your taco obsession.”

“You should see him chow down on Mexican corn on the cob.” She wiped Ollie’s mouth and handed him the small bowl of vanilla ice cream covered in sprinkles. He wasted no time in dipping his spoon inside. She watched a man and woman walk by, holding hands, and they were a reminder how blissful the atmosphere of Second Chance was. “Things are much different here than back in the city. I’d forgotten how slow paced and easy-going things are. I thought maybe I’d miss the hustle and bustle, gourmet coffee shops, and boutiques, but I’m finding out this town has everything one would ever need.”

“Does that mean you’re considering making this a permanent home?”

“I don’t know, Rip. That’s a loaded question with as many layers as an onion.”

She watched a dad lift his son, who was probably around four years old, and swing him around in a circle, his tiny feet gliding through the air. The little boy was laughing so hard that it made Noelle laugh too. How many times had she wished Ollie’s father would have been the kind of man to play at the park. Toss a baseball or football. Even play on the floor. Some dreams weren’t meant to happen. Her best bet was to find someone who loved Ollie.

“My mom and sister are a huge help with Ollie. If I stayed here, I’d have to find someone I trusted to take care of him while I work.”

“I’m sure it’d be hard to be away from family. You and Sammie seem very close.”

She nodded. “Yes. I’m very grateful that we have that bond, and the bond that she has with Ollie. I don’t know what I would have done without her the last few years.”

“The farmhouse is big enough for a family.”

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