The Second Chance Bride (Country Brides & Cowboy Boots)

  The Second Chance Bride

  Danni Lee Nicholls

  Copyright © 2018 by Danni Lee Nicholls

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  “The Second Chance Bride”

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Also by Danni Lee Nicholls

  About the Author

  “The Second Chance Bride”

  Six years ago, Savannah Foss turned down Alex Steele’s marriage proposal and her father sent him packing. Now, Alex has returned to Mission Canyon, Colorado, and Savannah is unprepared for the profound sense of love awakened by his presence. But it might be too late for Savannah to rekindle the fire of their romance as one of her closest friends pursue Alex.

  Alex's memories of Mission Canyon are bittersweet, but this time, things will be different. While surrounded by the beauty of the Colorado countryside, he’s determined to revisit the rugged landscape of his heart in order to have a second chance of love. As Alex works toward forgetting Savannah Foss, his efforts will have far-reaching consequences for himself, Savannah, and those they love the most.

  Chapter 1

  Savannah slid her cowboy boots across the deck as she leaned back in her chair and gazed out over the pond with its weeping willow and cattails swaying in the late May breeze. Beyond the yard, open green fields were bathed in the evening sun. Pulling her attention away from the sunset, she tried to focus on her sister, Marissa’s one-sided conversation about her latest shopping trip.

  Savannah looked forward to these weekly dinners at the home of the Thomas family, their neighbors and best friends for as long as Savannah could remember. If it weren’t for Marissa’s monopolizing monologue, this evening would be pleasant.

  Savannah twiddled her fork in her salad as she tuned out her sister’s voice and turned her thoughts to those who weren’t in attendance. If their mother were present, the trajectory of everyone sitting at this table would be different. There would be more laughter and joy, and there would be one other person in attendance, too. If her mother was still alive, she would be here with the brother Savannah always longed to know.

  Even now, Savannah could picture him as an eight-year-old child, all knees and elbows with laughing eyes and sticky hands. Savannah put her fork down and swallowed hard.

  The dull knot of a headache began to form behind her eyes. She willed it away by focusing on those sitting around the well-appointed table. Her father, Charles sat opposite of her, next to Marissa, while Savannah’s godmother, Kelly, was at her right elbow.

  The Thomases were scattered among their guests, with the Thomas twins, Chantelle and Shelby, sitting next to Marissa. The twins’ parents, Lily and Keith were the anchors on each end of the table, keeping Savannah tethered to more than just the meal she was eating.

  Marissa paused to take a breath, and Lily took the opportunity to break into the shopping travelogue. Turning to Savannah’s father, Lily said, “I have some news I’ve been anxious to tell you. The old Dempsey house sold. I met the new owners today.”

  Charles turned toward Lily. “Really! I was beginning to think that place was hopeless. It sat empty for the last four years.”

  “Well, not anymore. The new owners retired from the restaurant business, and they’re looking for a second career.”

  Charles’s disdain washed over Savannah with the cool evening breeze. Her father didn’t appreciate the efforts of new money.

  “They’re a very nice couple. I think they’re from…” Lily thought for a moment. “Oh, gosh, someplace in Oregon.”

  Savannah sat up. “Where in Oregon?”

  “Somewhere east of the Cascade Mountains…Bend? Burton?”

  Savannah’s mouth went dry. “Bend?”

  “I think it was Bend.”

  “Do you remember their names?”

  “I want to say Jensen. Yes, that’s it. Steve and Amy Jensen. They’re hoping to start a small ranch that doubles as an upscale bed and breakfast.”

  Charles looked heavenward. “That’s the last thing we need around here. A bunch of people from the city who think sitting on a horse for a weekend teaches them how to run a ranch.” His fork clattered against his plate. “Next thing you know, these new owners will want to subdivide their land and hem us in.”

  “Oh, now, Charles,” Lily chided. “It’s high-time that house was sold. And even if they do decide to sub-divide their land, it shouldn’t affect any of us. Kelly lives the closest, but she’s across the road, as are we. Besides, we all own over a thousand acres. None of us will be hemmed in anytime soon.”

  Savannah glanced at Kelly, who was fiddling with her cropped light brown hair that brushed her ears.

  Charles opened his mouth but Lily overrode him. “Besides, the dilapidated old Victorian mansion was an eyesore.”

  “Not to mention just plain scary,” Chantelle chimed in. Her long blonde hair played with the light breeze, showing off her late spring tan. “That place gave me the shivers every time I drove by. Even in broad daylight.”

  Her twin sister, Shelby, nodded. “I hate driving past that place at night. It’s creepy because it’s always dark, but occasionally there’s a light inside, and that’s even creepier.” Shelby shivered as she tucked a strand of dark auburn hair behind her ear.

  “I live across the road from the Dempsey place,” Kelly said. “And I’ve always been worried that it might draw squatters or worse. I’m glad to know it’s been sold. It’s a grand old place. It deserves to be restored, and I’m sure the Jensen family will do it justice.”

  Lily’s blue eyes widened. “We can all breathe a little easier now and quit getting the shivers.”

  Lily’s husband gave his wife a twinkling smile from the opposite end of the table. “I seriously doubt this will stop the shivers, my dear. We heard an owl last night, and you about jumped out of bed.”

  Savannah didn’t join in the laughter. Feeling slightly nauseous, she placed one hand on her stomach while gripping the edge of the table.

  Lily turned toward her. “Are you feeling all right, dear? You’ve turned pale all of a sudden.”

  A glance of impatience passed between Marissa and their father while Kelly gently placed her hand on Savannah’s arm. “You don’t look so good.”

  Savannah swallowed her embarrassment as old memories crowded her thoughts. Were Amy and Steve Jensen really going to move here? “I think I need to go home.” She began to scoot back her chair.

  “Oh
, I hope it wasn’t anything you’ve eaten.” Lily looked around at all the plates. “I’m trying a new caterer tonight.”

  “No. Not at all. The food was delicious. I’m just…”

  “Here, why don’t I drive you home,” Kelly said. “I’ll make sure you get settled.”

  Savannah appreciated Kelly’s offer, even though she desperately wished to be alone. She needed some way to get back to the house, and she preferred Kelly’s insistent probing over her father and sister’s contempt.

  “Thank you.”

  “Way to ruin a nice evening,” Marissa shot under her breath.

  Savannah ignored the comment as she picked up her purse from under the table.

  “I’ll check in on you tomorrow,” Lily said.

  Shelby nodded. “And if you need anything at all, just call. Chantelle and I will be happy to make a drugstore run if you need anything in town.”

  Savannah stood. “Thanks,” she said. “I’ll talk with all of you tomorrow.” She walked with Kelly through the house before folding herself into the passenger seat of Kelly’s Lexus; the heat of the car strengthened her desire to be alone. She rolled down the window as soon as Kelly put the key into the ignition.

  Pulling out of the drive, Kelly gave Savannah a quick glance. “Savannah, dear. What happened to you back there?”

  Savannah turned toward the passenger side window. She preferred to remain silent, but Kelly would not allow that for long.

  “Vannie, what is it? Do you know the Jensens?”

  “No. I haven’t met them.”

  Kelly pulled into the large circular drive of Savannah’s home and left the engine running as she turned toward Savannah, waiting for an answer in her quiet but determined way.

  “Amy Jensen is Alex Steele’s sister.” The words came out in a heated rush, as the bittersweet memory of Alex flooded her thoughts. Even though it had been six years, it took no effort to recall his roughened palm against her cheek or the tender look in his eyes when he reached down to kiss her. Their hasty and final goodbye still caused her to catch her breath.

  Kelly placed her hand on Savannah’s knee. “Maybe it’s a different Amy Jensen. It’s a common name, you know? There have got to be hundreds of thousands of Amy Jensens in the country.”

  “But how many are from Bend, Oregon?”

  “I would think at least two or three,” Kelly replied. “And you’ve never met his sister, so there’s no real connection there.”

  Savannah shook her head.

  Kelly patted Savannah’s knee. “I don’t think it’s something you have to worry about. Besides, all of that was so many years ago, I’m sure no one remembers.”

  “I remember,” Savannah whispered. “And I regret that decision every day.” She turned and faced Kelly. “I know you thought you were doing me a huge favor, falling in line with my dad when he forbade me from marrying Alex, but I loved him.” Saying his name out loud gave Savannah a fresh slice of pain, like a papercut right to the heart that never would quite heal.

  “Of course you did,” Kelly soothed. “You were nineteen and so impressionable. In the absence of your mother and as your godmother, I felt it was my duty to steer you in a way that would maximize your future choices. Marrying a temporary ranch hand, who wasn’t much older than you, would’ve limited your options in life.” She paused. “And your father would’ve cut you off without a cent. I couldn’t bear to see you out in the world, penniless and tied to a man who didn’t have two nickels to rub together. Now, look how far you’ve come. You have your accounting degree and a good-paying job here at the ranch. You live in this incredible place.” Kelly made a sweeping gesture toward the house.

  Savannah shook her head. “I know you thought you were protecting me, but even at nineteen, I was old enough to understand love.”

  Kelly shook her head. “You’ve romanticized this relationship, that’s all. It’s easy to do. Maybe seeing his family will give you a dose of reality and some clarity to your past relationship.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” Savannah said.

  Kelly blinked.

  Savannah took a deep breath as she got out of the car. “Thanks for the ride.”

  Kelly leaned over the passenger side seat and looked up at Savannah. “Don’t start ruminating on this,” she advised. “It may take you a little while to get used to his family being here, but after a while, everything will settle down.”

  Savannah gave Kelly one last look before shutting the car door. She was finished talking with Kelly about this. Hugging her purse, she made her way to her own front porch where she turned to face the Lexus and waved to Kelly one last time. Savannah marveled how she could feel utterly alone, even in the company of those who were convinced they loved her.

  Chapter 2

  Savannah took a deep, long breath as she leaned against the double front doors and closed her eyes. The quiet of the house settled around her.

  If it weren’t for the part-time staff she had hired, Savannah was sure her family home would turn into a cobwebbed monument to a long-lost happy memory that was now dusty and frail.

  Stepping through the French doors that led to the backyard, Savannah walked around the pool and into the expansive landscaped yard, which included several trees she and her mother planted.

  Anne Foss encouraged Savannah’s love of trees. As a small child, when she began asking questions, her mother bought books about trees, and they became part of their bedtime stories. Starting with Savannah’s sixth birthday, her mother started a new tradition with a tree-planting as part of her celebration. The two of them would choose a seedling, then bring it home to plant in the backyard, creating a young and varied forest of lodgepole pine and Douglas fir mixed with aspen and cottonwood.

  The last tree Savannah planted was eight years ago, on the day of her mother’s funeral. She brought the Autumn Blaze maple home after a diligent search and planted it in the corner of the yard, where she could see it from her bedroom window.

  Now, with the dusk settling over the land, Savannah moved through the trees, touching their stalwart trunks. Their sturdiness offered her strength, and she breathed deep their scent. They were the rooted reminder that her mother loved and understood her.

  Anne Foss would’ve been able to see beyond Alex’s lack of fortune. She would’ve loved Alex for what he offered Savannah, instead of dismissing him for what he didn’t possess. If her mother was alive, she and Alex would be married.

  Sadness crept into Savannah’s heart. She just didn’t lose her mother, but her future with Alex was also swept away. And now, with his family so close, she would be constantly reminded of those losses. Could she bear such a constant onslaught of grief? Sighing, she turned to the maple and reached up to fondle the leaves. She didn’t have much choice. This was her home, and now it was the home of his sister, too.

  Savannah shivered. Even in late spring, the nights grew cool once the sun went down. Running her palm over the bark of the maple, she reluctantly turned back to the house and made her way up the long spiral staircase to the south wing. Her bedroom was at the farthest end, boasting a lovely corner window seat and full view. She loved her book filled pillowed nook and all it offered in the cozy cushions and blankets all year while looking out over the Foss land.

  Sitting in her nook, Savannah pulled a pillow close and drew her knees to her chest as she looked to the maple. It’s bright green foliage stood out in the deepening twilight.

  She had shown Alex this tree and told him the story of its planting while his hand rested over hers, her palm against the trunk. Alex’s attention was tender. He didn’t hurry her through her stories because they were mixed with sadness. Instead, he asked questions and encouraged her to explore her memories. But their relationship didn’t start beside the seedling of her beloved maple. Their first exchange began in the barn over a hoof pick.

  Closing her eyes, Savannah could still picture the moment she met Alex while she was on her way to feed the orphaned ca
lves with the wheelbarrow full of bottled milk.

  She’d found his missing hoof pick and as she returned it, she caught her breath as she looked into the kindest blue eyes she’d ever seen. Their meeting was brief, but it only took a few minutes for desire to pull at Savannah.

  When Alex offered her a cup of coffee the following morning, Savannah nodded eagerly. Throughout that day, every time Savannah recalled their fleeting exchange, her heart quickened, and she wished the clock to speed through time so the following morning could unfold.

  When their appointed time finally arrived, she and Alex spent their first few minutes watching the sun rise over the horizon while sipping hot coffee. His presence was like a balm for Savannah, who was still stinging over the death of her mother just two years prior. In the quiet of their first budding day together, Savannah found her first glimmer of peace in Alex’s company.

  As their time together grew, Savannah revealed pieces of herself that she never shared with anyone, and Alex accepted and celebrated everything she offered. He was gentle with her. As spring progressed into summer, Savannah longed to be near the cowboy with sun-bleached hair and striking blue eyes. When he reached out and quickly kissed her one morning before leaving for work, the world dropped away while she drank in his sweet affection. The touch of his lips stayed with her. Even now, after six years, she could sense the warmth of his affection on their shared soft spring sunrises.