Page 4 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

“Danny never sides with me. His mother is always right. Anyway, is Ollie already asleep?” She pushed the bag of chips away. “I have to stop snacking or I’ll never fit into that dress.”

“He was exhausted, and so is his mama.” She turned up the volume on the monitor in case he woke up.

“I need a drink,” Sammie sighed. “Preferably something ice cold and fruity.”

Noelle took out a plastic covered platter and two juice pouches from the refrigerator, handing Sammie one. “There you go. Ice cold and fruity.”

“What’s this?” Sammie wrinkled her nose, holding the silver pouch by one corner like it was a dead animal.

“A fruit punch juice pouch.” Noelle poked the straw in the hole of her own and slurped up half the kid-sized juice.

“You know you used to be fun,” Sammie whined.

“I used to be a lot of things.”

“I was referring to an adult beverage. What happened to margarita nights, nachos and boy talk?”

“Margarita nights and toddlers don’t mix. And you said you wished I’d talk about something else besides Ollie on those nights. Danny and Ollie don’t have a lot in common, but they do both pee on the toilet seat.”

Sammie hid her laugh behind her hand. “You are right. You’d think a surgeon could make the target.”

Noelle pressed a button on the oven and took out a skillet, placing it on the glass top stove. “Are you sure you want to marry him then?”

“Just because he can’t make the toilet?”

“No, because you don’t seem very happy these days.”

“You hear people say how stressful wedding planning is but never really understand until you are neck deep in which colors and flowers work best. And, yes, I want to marry him. Pee on the toilet seat and all.”

“That didn’t sound too convincing,” Noelle said.

“Don’t imagine things. What are we having to eat?” Sammie peeked around Noelle’s shoulder.

“Veggie burgers, sweet potato fries and salad.” She handed Sammie a spatula and pointed at the pan. “You do the burgers while I grab the fries.”

“How do I always get roped into cooking?”

“Because you’re so good at it.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” Sammie prepared the pan. “I can’t believe you have me eating veggie burgers.”

“You know you like them.” Noelle grabbed the bag of frozen fries, scattered them on a baking sheet, and stuck them into the preheated oven.

After the frozen burgers were sizzling, Sammie asked, “Have you heard from Gavin?’

Noelle cringed at the mention of Ollie’s father. “You mean since he failed to show up for the custody hearing? After I spent my entire savings, and then some, on a reputable attorney which led to me selling my house. We could have just bypassed all the bullshit and he could have simply signed his custody rights over, saving me a lot of time and money.”

“I told you I can ask Daddy for money. He still thinks of you as his daughter.”

“I’m not taking a handout. I’ve done well up until now being independent and I plan to keep it that way.” Noelle had a stubborn streak that only became wider after Ollie was born. She didn’t want to be indebted to anyone.

“You no longer have to worry about Gavin. That’s a reason to celebrate.” Sammie gave a little happy dance and stopped when she saw Noelle’s expression. “Why aren’t you happy?”

“As grateful as I am for the custody battle to be over, I’m sad for Ollie. No kid wants to think that one of their parents gave them up.” Noelle knew firsthand what it felt like to feel unwanted. Her own father had left when she was a baby.

“Ah, sweetie. There are plenty of fish in the sea who’d love to be everything you need him to be, including being an amazing father to Ollie. Sharing DNA doesn’t make a good daddy. Heart makes a good daddy.” Sammie slurped up her fruit punch, collapsing the container noisily.

“I’m not looking,” she said adamantly. She had enough to worry about.

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