Page 44 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

The shrill sirens of a fire truck wailed in the distance. They couldn’t have been far, but in her mind, they could have easily been in the next state.

Tears filled her eyes and escaped like a leaky faucet onto her cheeks. She swiped the moisture away but just as quickly more came while she watched the embers of the fire dance like a devil’s song.

Then as if she were imagining it, a silhouette appeared at the top of the stairs, looking a lot like shadow but then it moved slowly. Her breath held. The soft hairs of her neck stood. Her heart raced like a galloping horse. Rip burst from the smoke, taking the stairs, and Noelle met him halfway across the parking lot. She wrapped her arms around him as he sucked in air. He smelled of acrid smoke and pungent scents, and she’d never been happier to see anyone.

“You scared me. I didn’t know if you’d make it out,” she divulged when she pulled back slightly.

“I tried to ward off the fire but it was impossible,” he said in a raspy voice.

“You did everything you could.”

He turned to face the fire, the blaze flickering in his gaze as he watched on in anger and sadness.

Red lights feathered across the tops of the trees as the fire truck came roaring into the parking lot. Firefighters swarmed the area with hoses and tools, but any chance of salvaging Crew and Brew had been lost. The uniformed crew stood and watched, containing the blaze, while Noelle and Rip stayed back, arms around each other, staring quietly as the roof caved in.

Chapter 15

“Dear, I wish you’d tell me why?”

Noelle gave her mom a tight hug. “I will. Just not right now. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you coming here to get Ollie.”

Patricia took her daughter’s hand and squeezed lightly. “I love you. Of course, I’m here to help. I’m just glad you’re not angry with me because I didn’t tell you about Tuck.”

“I’m hurt, but not angry. One day we can talk about everything, but for now, I want you to take Ollie and keep him safe. I booked you into a hotel just outside of Second Chance. I packed up enough clothes and toys for Ollie. Please, no junk food,” Noelle chastised gently.

“None at all? I fed you junk food and you turned out okay.”

“Sparingly at least.” Noelle felt unshed tears stinging the backs of her eyes. She knew she needed to do this for Ollie’s safety. If she decided to go through with revealing the event of the past, there could be an angry perpetrator on the loose.

There was an angry perpetrator already lurking somewhere.

“It’s odd being here at Bluebird. I have so many fond memories of this place.” Patricia sighed, smoothing her hand down the table. At fifty-five she looked very youthful, outside of a telltale sadness that cast over her features. “Except for Bea. She never did like me. Did she disappear on my account?”

“Bea left for her daughter’s place in Florida so you don’t have to worry about running into her. And you can’t quite blame her, can you? You were Tuck’s mistress suddenly showing up with a kid in tow to take care of his ailing wife. That’s a Lifetime movie.”

She looked down at her hands. “I know how awkward it must seem, but there’s so much more to the story. Cybal and I had become friends after she found out about you. It was her idea that I bring you here. Then the stroke…” She sniffed and subtly wiped at her eyes.

“Would you like another cup of tea?” Noelle asked, feeling like her mother had a lot on her mind. Ollie entertained himself sitting in his high chair eating his favorite snack-- cut up apple.

“No, thanks, dear. I’m okay.” But she didn’t seem okay.

“Iwilltell you everything soon,” Noelle promised.

“I know. I know you think I’m selfish in many ways, but I’ve always tried to do my best.”

Noelle reached over and squeezed her mother’s hand. “I believe you. You’re making up with Ollie. You were never a bad mother.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I didn’t mean for the affair to happen with Tuck. I cared greatly for Cybal, and so did he. I don’t want you to believe that I—nor Tuck—were heartless.”

Noelle gave Ollie a few more slices of apple then she returned her attention back to Patricia, needing her questions answered. “Why didn’t you stay? After Cybal passed away. I wasn’t here, but you and Tuck could have been together. As odd as it was, you two seemed to have a working relationship.”

Her lips thinned. “I didn’t think it was right. Once Cybal passed I didn’t think I should stay any longer. I loved Tuck. I still do. But his heart never belonged to me. He cared greatly for you, Noelle. He and Cybal always wanted children, had tried for years. It only seems right that you’re here.”

“And neither of you thought to tell me the truth?”

Patricia grabbed a napkin and dabbed at her eyes, careful not to mess up her eyelashes. “It’s not as easy as it might seem. How will you tell Ollie about his father, or lack of one?”

Noelle saw her point, although she wouldn’t let Patricia off the hook so fast. “Tuck isn’t exactly Gavin.” “No, that’s true. Tuck has made sure that you and Ollie are taken care of. Despite the past, he wanted that for you. Honey, you have a chance at a good life here. Ollie can have a good life here. Plant some roots. Make some dreams come true.”

---