Page 11 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

“Stubborn too.” Her heart about popped out of her chest. The temperature ratcheted up a notch.

She’d almost forgotten that they weren’t alone. Sammie came bustling in, her head bent as she frantically scrolled through her phone. “I almost forgot to order the cake. How does one forget to order a cake for her own wedding?” She came to a dead stop and glanced from Noelle to Rip and back to Noelle with a curious gaze. “Oh, I didn’t know you had company.”

“Sammie, this is…an old friend. Rip Ryder.” Noelle got tripped up on how to introduce him. She almost found herself introducing him as her boyfriend out of habit. She’d told her sister bits and pieces of the story from Second Chance.

And that was why her eyes lit like Christmas bulbs.

Sammie rushed forward and held out her hand. He shook it without hesitation. “Hello, Rip. You don’t know me because I emerged on the scene much later. I’m Noelle’s step-sister. Her mother married my dad, of course they’re no longer together. Good thing we are.”

“Nice to meet you, Sammie.” He greeted her with a politeness that made Sammie blush.

Noelle bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing at her gushing sister. Rip tended to have that effect on women. Leaving them satiated without one touch.

“Sorry I barged in on you two,” Sammie said. “Noelle didn’t tell me she was expecting company.” She settled her gaze on Noelle in allegation.

“I didn’t know I was getting company,” Noelle added sassily.

“Oh. Well…I should leave you two to your business. Noelle, would you like me to take Ollie for you?”

“That would be great. Maybe take him in the backyard to swing,” Noelle handed a squirming Ollie over.

“Cowboy’s cute,” Sammie said in a whisper.

Noelle gave her a look that told her toshush.

Once she heard the back door open and close, Noelle turned her full attention to Rip. “As you were saying?”

He pursed his lips. He seemed pensive. “Stepsister, huh?”

“Another one of Mom’s attempts at creating a happily ever after. She’s on her third…fourth marriage. I’ve lost count. But Sammie and I remain close.” Noelle could hear Ollie’s squeal of delight coming through the open windows facing the fenced in backyard. “How about we take a walk?” She offered. She got the feeling Rip was hesitant to tell her the news she was sure was going to dramatically change things.

Chapter 4

So, Noelle had a son, a stepsister, and multiple stepdads, but she hadn’t mentioned a husband.

Once Rip and Noelle stepped out onto the front porch, he inhaled sweet oxygen into his parched lungs.

What was happening to him? He couldn’t seem to think straight, let alone make his voice work properly. Noelle took off in front of him on the narrow sidewalk and his gaze followed the sway of her bottom in the cutoff jeans that had a hole in one pocket. Dull aches of need flooded his body. These were sensations he didn’t expect, nor would have wanted. He shouldn’t want her. She’d broke things off with him and didn’t seem to care one iota that she’d broken his heart.

Rip silently cringed. Hedidn’tstill want her. The feelings in him were a mere fluke because he hadn’t had sex in over a year. A year in man’s terms was more like ten. He hadn’t even been on a date in that year. Not by choice, but he just hadn’t had the time or the inclination.

He followed her across the driveway to stand in front of the garage where she stopped and faced him, her hands on her nicely shaped hips. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the surrounding trees, casting a halo-like ring above her head. Her bottom lip puffed out slightly and he felt arousal taking over his body.

“We have more privacy out here. You’re starting to worry me.” She crossed her arms over her stomach.

He looked past her shoulder and read the sign on the door of the garage. “You’re a counselor?”

She nodded. The breeze caught her hair, sending it caressing her cheek. She grabbed the pieces with her left hand, tucking the tendrils back into place and he saw she wasn’t wearing any rings. Maybe she wasn’t married.

“My office is above the garage.” She didn’t go into detail.

That didn’t surprise him. She always liked helping people.

He shoved his hands into his front pockets, resisting the urge to take her hands into his as he informed her of the bad news. Fifteen years ago, he would have dragged her into his arms as she settled her head on his shoulder while he soothed her by running his fingers through her hair. Well, this wasn’t then. It was now and all the rules had changed.

Clearing his throat, he decided to just get to the point. “Tuck passed away last week.”

Several expressions flickered over her delicate features. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Tuck? Oh no.” She brought her hand over her mouth as if to keep herself from making any noise. “How?” she asked after she dropped her hand.

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