Page 3 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

“You’re not being very nice, Noe.” Sammie practically squeaked.

“Not you.” Noelle jumped up from where she’d been crouched on the floor and chased Ollie across the room to retrieve the pineapple shaped pincushion out of his chubby hands. “Oliver Rip, this is not a toy,” she said gently, yet firmly.

His mouth curved into a wide smile and deep dimples carved into his cheeks. Her heart melted. As a single mom, working full time and running a household there were days she thought she’d collapse under the pressure, but one thing that made her day brighter was her son’s smile. She picked up a plastic airplane and traded him for the pincushion.

“Tank ooh,” he said.

Ruffling his head full of dark hair, she turned and gave her sister the good news. “You’re finished. You can go and change. Be careful. The pins will poke you.”

Sammie picked up the billows of satin and lace, and in a flurry of white she ran to the bathroom. When she came back, she handed the dress over to Noelle who carefully hung it up.

“I’m lucky that my sister can sew,” Sammie cooed. “My mom never taught me the skill.”

“Mom never taught me either. I taught myself,” Noelle corrected her then admired how pretty the dress was. “You’re going to be a beautiful bride.”

“Thank you for all your help, sis.” Sammie wrapped her arms around Noelle’s shoulders. “This should be you getting married.”

“Bite your tongue.”

“The oldest sister is always supposed to get married first.”

“Said no one ever.” Noelle laughed and picked up her sewing kit off the floor to put it away. “Thank you for watching Ollie for me today.”

"Yeah.”

Noelle saw the concern on Sammie’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“Do you think the dress is too much? I don’t want Danny’s family to think I’m privileged.”

“You are privileged. You have a rich father who has spoiled you rotten,” Noelle said but quickly added, “But you’re also kind, generous, smart, and have good tastes. Danny’s family will love you.”

“I won the sister lottery.”

“Okay, let’s not lay it on too thick. I’ve already agreed to alter your dress.” Noelle laughed. “I’m hungry. Can you stay for dinner?” She liked having the company. Since Ollie was born, Noelle didn’t get out much. Between work and raising a toddler, she didn’t have much energy for a social life.

“Sure. Danny’s working late at the hospital so I’m free.” Sammie sighed in frustration. She complained about Danny’s workload often.

“Can you handle being the wife of a reputable doctor who’s gone a lot?”

“Do you think I can’t?”

Noelle understood this was a sore subject. Sammie and Danny had broken up several times because of his rigid schedule that kept them from traveling like Sammie wanted to do. “I only want you to be happy, sis. Marriage won’t be all butterflies and rainbows.” Not wanting to lecture Sammie, Noelle backed off and scooped Ollie up. “But first, it’s bedtime for this young man.” He had his chubby hands wrapped around the slobber-soaked plastic airplane. “Isn’t that much more fun to play with than Mama’s pincushion?”

“Plane.” He held up the toy to show Sammie.

“One day, when you’re much older, you need to fly your own plane and give Auntie Sammie a ride in the sky.” She tickled his stomach.

“Say goodnight to Sammie,” Noelle said.

“Night, Sa.” He waved.

“Goodnight, kiddo.”

After going through their nightly routine of bath, book, and hug, Ollie was out like a light. Noelle returned downstairs as Sammie was ending a phone call. “Everything okay?” Noelle took two plates down from the cabinet.

“That was Danny. He said his mother is upset because one of her rich, snobby friends wasn’t invited to the wedding.” Sammie chomped on a chip.

“You and Danny should have who you want at your wedding.” Noelle tried to stay as unbiased as she could but hated that Sammie had so many issues with her soon-to-be-mother-in-law. From decorations, to ordering a cake, to invitations.

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