Page 61 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

She nodded. “You could have been killed.”

“You could have been killed too. Thank God we weren’t.” He winced again as another wave of pain rolled through his body.

“Are you in a lot of pain?” She looked very concerned, running her warm hands over his arms that were hooked up to tubes.

“Yes.”

“What do you need?”

“You.” He winked. He managed a smile because she looked so worried.

“Well, I hate to tell you this, but you have me.” She crawled into the bed and stretched out beside him. “Is this okay?”

“It’s better than okay. Better than any pain medicine the doctor could order.” He kissed her forehead.

“I guess there are a few things we need to discuss.”

“Like?”

“Can you deal with a woman like me for the rest of your life? After all, you had a difficult time handling me back fifteen years ago.” She smiled and it burrowed straight into his center.

“The question is, do you want me in your life?” The seriousness of the situation came to light. “If we do this, we do it all the way. I can’t give myself fully just to lose you again.”

She propped herself on one elbow. “I think I’ve always wanted to be here, with you. I was just too blind to see the truth. I’m a package deal though. Ollie needs someone as much as I do.”

He threaded his fingers through her hair. “The little guy has grown on me. You don’t have to remind me that you’re a package, sweetheart. That only makes me love you more because you’re a fantastic mom.”

“You love me?” Her eyes glistened.

“With all that I am.” His heart hitched with emotion.

“I love you. We need to get you out of here so we can start our second chance together.” She laid her head down on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry. I’ll heal. It’ll take more than a gunshot to bring me down. Now that I have you, and Ollie, I need to stick around. Life is just now getting good.” He kissed the top of her head.

She played with his chest hair popping out of the hospital gown. “What do you think will happen to Buddy?”

“He’ll serve some time, but not long.”

She felt so good tucked against him.

“Parker lost her husband and gave birth to their son on the same day. I hope she finds a way to rise above the tragedy of everything that’s happened,” Noelle said quietly.

“She will. Townspeople will gather around and support her. It’ll take some time to wrap her head around what Derry has done, but she’s a strong woman. Just like you.”

“I hope the nurses don’t think they’re chasing me out of here. I’m staying until we walk out of here together.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” He cuddled her closer and drifted off to sleep. Happiness was no longer just in his dreams.

Not the end but only the beginning.

From the author:

Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and let others know your thoughts.

Hugs,

Rhonda Lee Carver

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