The Second Chance Bride (Country Brides & Cowboy Boots) Read online

  A knowing look came into Charles’s eyes. “I remember him, but I was sure you’d put that all behind you. I watched you, Savannah, and you never appeared to be infatuated with him—not like Marissa or the Thomas girls.”

  “That’s because I’m not infatuated, Dad. I love him, and there’s a huge difference. Alex and I have tried to stay away from each other, but we just can’t. My love for him overrides anything I could ever feel for Aaron, even if he didn’t have a gambling problem. Alex and I talked this morning, and we’re recommitted to each other. I believe we’ll get married within the next six months. We love each other very much.” Voicing these words to her father gave them new weight, and Savannah took courage from her own declaration.

  Charles rose quickly from his chair and went to stare out the window as he rubbed his face with his hands. Savannah’s heart beat up into her throat, but she allowed the silence to fill the room. Pushing her father to talk wouldn’t be helpful.

  Charles turned. “Shelby’s accident has been hard on me,” he began. “I want to forbid this match, Savannah.” He came and sat next to her. “I can’t lose you. I can’t lose you like Keith and Lily almost lost Shelby. I lost your mother. I can’t go through that ever again.”

  Savannah reached for her father’s hand as she returned his look of hurt with one of compassion. “I can’t promise you the future, Dad, but keeping me here isn’t going to bring the security you’re after. If Shelby’s accident has shown me anything, it’s that life can change in a hot second. But life is still good, and it’s still full, and I want to live mine to the fullest.” She squeezed her father’s hand and whispered, “Like Mom lived hers.”

  Savannah’s voice became stronger. “Remember how we sat in the car yesterday and talked about options?”

  Charles looked at her.

  Taking another deep breath, Savannah gathered her calm and her courage. “Well, we have options here, too. You can walk me out to meet Alex, who’s waiting in the drive, and you can send us on our way.”

  “What kind of man makes you come in here and talk to me alone?” Charles sneered.

  Savannah refused to be cowed by her father’s attitude and continued boldly. “I wanted to speak to you alone. I asked him to wait, and he honored that request.” She paused. “So, yes, you can walk me out there to meet him and send us on our way. You can put me in the position to walk out of here by myself, and I will be on my way, because the truth is, Dad, you can’t keep us apart. Not anymore. Or, you can invite him into this home and enlarge your world to include him.” Her voice softened. “Either way, you’re going to have to let me go, Dad. But you get to choose how that’s going to happen.” She squeezed her father’s hand again. “It’s time to quit living small.”

  Charles let out a pent-up breath. “Marriage means babies, and if you marry someone far away, I won’t be able to…” he whispered.

  “What, Dad?”

  His voice became gruff. “I wasn’t able to protect your mother, but I swore I’d protect my girls.”

  “No matter who I married, it would mean babies. And I’m willing to risk that, Dad. I’m willing to risk it all.” She gave him a tender look. “It’s what Mom would do, and you know she would want grandbabies,” Savannah whispered. “You know that in your heart.”

  Tears flooded Charles’s eyes. “Your mother lived every second of her life. I loved that woman and how she pulled everything from life. In offering the best of herself to me, she brought out the best in me. I miss her so much.”

  “I know, Dad. I miss her, too. You will never be alone in that. But I want that same kind of love.” Tears filled her eyes. “I deserve that same kind of love.”

  Savannah tried to pull up a sense of calm, but it eluded her. Even though her choice was made, and Alex was going to be her husband, Savannah wanted more. She wanted her family. She wanted her dad, and she desperately hoped he would choose her over hoarding his pain. Too much had already been sacrificed to the god of grief.

  Charles released Savannah’s hand to wipe his face with his sleeve. He closed his eyes for a moment and leaned back into the chair.

  Savannah watched her father intently, as her heart fluttered in her chest and anxiety made it hard to breathe. The knot in Savannah’s stomach tightened. Breathing deep, she remembered Alex was sitting in her car, waiting for her, and either way, they would be together.

  Charles sat up and looked at Savannah. “Bring him in,” he said quietly.

  Tears flooded Savannah’s eyes as she rose from her seat and went to her father. Folding herself in his lap, she melted into the warmth of his fatherly embrace as she cried. After several minutes, she sat up and wiped her eyes. “We will not be sorry, you and I,” she said. “I promise you that.”

  Chapter 33

  Savannah waited for two days before approaching Marissa. After she and their father finished talking, she heard him go to Marissa’s room. She didn’t know what was said behind those closed doors, but afterward her father came to her, telling her that Marissa would need a couple of days before she could talk to Savannah.

  “How does she feel?” Savannah asked her dad.

  “Mostly embarrassed, I think,” Charles said. “And a little betrayed. I think she believes you should’ve told her about Alex.”

  Savannah thought back to the day she and Marissa went for a ride and ran into the Thomas girls and Alex. She had tried to tell Marissa then, but her sister was too absorbed in her own hopes of dating Alex.

  “I’ll give it a couple of days,” she said.

  Now, a new nervousness penetrated Savannah as she knocked on Marissa’s door. When her sister didn’t answer, Savannah cracked the door to find Marissa sitting on her bed with her ear buds pressed firmly in her ears. Her eyes were closed, and she was whispering the words to the song that was pressing its melody into her head. When she noticed Savannah, she sat up and turned off the music before removing her ear buds.

  “Hey.” Marissa set her phone aside.

  “Hey back,” Savannah said.

  “I guess I should offer you some congratulations,” Marissa said.

  “Only if you mean it,” Savannah replied.

  Marissa made room for Savannah on her bed. “Have you told anyone else?”

  Savannah shook her head. “Dad knows, and Amy and Steve, but that’s it. I wanted to talk to you before we told the Thomases.”

  Marissa nodded. “Thanks for that.”

  “Sure.”

  “Have you set a date?”

  “Probably the end of September, but nothing final, yet.”

  Marissa’s eyes widened. “That’s only two-and-a-half months away. How are you going to make all your plans in only two months?”

  “It’s going to be a simple affair.”

  “You could wait a little longer, you know.”

  Savannah chafed at the idea. After all, she had already waited six years. She bit those words and instead asked, “Why should we wait?”

  Marissa shrugged. “I always thought you would be here. Right here, for me.” She looked down. “I realize how selfish that sounds, now.” She paused. “And, well…it’s going to take me a while to get over the embarrassment of chasing after the man who was always in love with you.” She looked out her open window. “Dad came into my room and talked to me after the two of you were finished. I know it was hard for him, but he told me you were going to marry Alex, and he and I needed to understand that you have a right to be happy. He said it was what Mom would’ve wanted, and he’s right.” Marissa looked at Savannah. “You deserve to be happy, Vannie, and I’m sorry if I’ve gotten in the way. I feel so stupid.”

  Savannah hugged her sister, hoping she could offer her a sense of absolution. “My happiness isn’t your responsibility, Marissa. And as far as Alex is concerned, don’t worry. There was no way for you to know.”

  “I’m your sister. I should’ve known. You should’ve told me,” Marissa whispered.

  Savannah swallowed hard. “I tried to te
ll you that day we went on our ride together.”

  Marissa’s eyes grew large. “When? I don’t remember—oh, wait.” She became quiet. “I do remember you trying to tell me something, and I just kept right on talking about my chances with Alex.” Marissa colored.

  “I’m glad you remember. I wasn’t sure how to tell you.”

  Marissa shook her head. “I don’t want any more secrets, okay?”

  Savannah’s heart gladdened. “I think you’re right.”

  Marissa continued, “And I want to talk about Mom. Sometimes, it feels as if she’s the biggest secret of all.”

  Sudden sadness mingled with relief. “I miss her, Marissa. I miss her so much.”

  Tears came to Marissa’s eyes. “Me too,” she whispered as she pulled Savannah into a hug and started to cry. Savannah held her sister and cried with her as the chasm that stood between the two of them began to narrow.

  Chapter 34

  Two weeks later, Savannah stood with Alex at the Thomases front door. Smoothing her summer dress, she pulled in a deep breath, allowing it to soothe her nerves.

  Alex turned to her. “Are you ready for this?”

  Savannah grinned up at him. “I’m not just ready. I’ve been waiting for six years to plan this wedding.”

  “Well, I’m glad you decided to wait until Shelby was released from the hospital to start making any real plans. Ben told me she’s looked forward to helping, and it’s keeping her from getting too depressed.”

  “It worked out for the best. Marissa needed some time, but she and Dad are used to the idea. I’ve already asked Marissa to be my maid of honor and Chantelle and Shelby both agreed to be bridesmaids.” A thread of excitement stitched its way through Savannah. She squeezed Alex close.

  Alex raised his hand to knock on the door, but Savannah grabbed his fingers and instead walked through the front door. “You’re family now.” She grinned up at him. “For better or worse.”

  Standing in the grand entry, Alex embraced Savannah.

  Savannah held on tight, pulling in his masculine scent of sage and summer. “Sometimes, I can’t believe this is really happening.”

  “We’re lucky, you know,” Alex said. “Not everyone gets a second chance.” Alex pulled her into a lingering kiss.

  Savannah embraced their closeness. “I know,” she whispered. “I think about that blessing every day.”

  “Do we have to go see everyone?” Alex asked. “Can’t we sneak out of here, grab a picnic dinner and head for the Lone Pine Trail—just the two of us?”

  “Maybe tomorrow,” Savannah whispered. “Tonight, we’re starting to plan our wedding.”

  “Why don’t we visit the justice of the peace tomorrow and get married in the morning, after tonight’s picnic?”

  Savannah laughed as delight spilled through her. She pulled Alex tight as the noise from her friends and family dropped away.

  Reaching up, she kissed Alex lightly on the lips.

  “I love you so much,” he whispered.

  Savannah kissed him again as her heart soared. “I love you, too.”

  “Oh, I’d like more of that,” he whispered.

  “There you are!” Lily said as she walked through the house from the deck. “We’ve been waiting for the two of you.”

  “It’s a good thing you found us,” Savannah said. “Alex is trying to talk me into eloping, and his argument was starting to make sense.”

  Lily settled in between them, linking arms. “Oh, no, you don’t!” she said. “As it is, we only have eight weeks to plan this shindig. You’re not running out on us now. C’mon. I’ve got flowers to show you. Amy thinks she’s found the perfect church, and Marissa is dying to have you look at a maid of honor dress she just found online while Chantelle and Shelby are waiting for marching orders.”

  Looking over Lily’s head, Savannah caught Alex’s eyes. His smile was wide and his eyes were filled with a joy that matched her own.

  As they walked onto the deck, everyone greeted them with a raised glass of tea and a shout of joy. Only Kelly gave Savannah a brief cool look before pasting an absent grin on her face, but Savannah ignored her godmother.

  When Savannah and Alex announced their engagement at the hospital, Kelly had said nothing until she and Savannah were alone. On their way to the restroom, Kelly placed her arm through Savannah’s. It was becoming an irritating gesture for Savannah, and she withdrew.

  “What does your father say about this match?” Kelly asked.

  “Dad is in agreement,” Savannah said.

  Kelly gave her a disbelieving look. “How--?”

  Savannah held up her hand as old and fresh resentment ebbed in like the tide. “If you want the details, Kelly, you’re going to have to ask my dad. I’m not discussing it with you.”

  “Oh, come, now,” Kelly cajoled. “This can’t change our relationship. I’m your godmother.”

  “And this is a family matter between my father and I,” Savannah said.

  Kelly’s eyes widened. “I see.”

  Savannah didn’t mean to be rude, but she refused to allow Kelly to insert herself into her life choices any longer, and her father was following her example. Throughout the evening, Charles visited with others in the party, no longer allowing Kelly to monopolize his time.

  Placing her hand on Alex’s shoulder, Savannah drew him near and whispered, “Do you see how my dad is talking with Amy and Steve?”

  Alex shot a glance in Charles’s direction and nodded.

  “I’ve watched him throughout the evening, and he’s really trying to become more engaged.”

  “This is a compassionate crowd,” Alex said. “His efforts will be well received.”

  Savannah squeezed Alex’s shoulder. “You helped, you know.”

  Alex turned and gave her a puzzled look.

  “You were brave to come back here. I know you didn’t have any say in where Amy and Steve chose to move, but you didn’t have to show up on the Thomases back deck for dinner. You could’ve stayed far away, and with all the work you’ve been doing, you had the perfect excuse.” She dropped her arm and grabbed his hand, squeezing his fingers. “I’m not so sure I would’ve been able to pluck up my courage and show up for sociality with people who were as rude to me as my father was to you. Not to mention my about-face around your marriage proposal all those years ago. I’d say that took some bravery.”

  A smile tugged at Alex’s lips. Then, he grew serious. “It wasn’t bravery that brought me here,” he said. “This was my last and best effort to try and get over you. I’d failed miserably for six years, and I thought by journeying back into these surroundings and the feelings in my heart, I’d find my way out of our love.” He pulled her close. “Instead, I discovered another pathway right back to it.”

  Chapter 35

  Savannah closed her eyes, allowing her breath to spill through her body. In forty-five minutes, she would be married to Alex. Pulling her hand away from her tucked bouquet, she looked at the simple but elegant diamond on her left hand. The wedding band would nestle up against it in a perfect fit, reminding her of how well she and Alex came together.

  Savannah folded her hands underneath the blooms she held: a mix of white calla lilies, daisies, lavender iris, and purple freesia. Sage was tucked within the blooms, giving off the rich aroma that reminded her of Alex. Bringing the blooms to her face, Savannah breathed in their scent.

  A gentle knock on the dressing room door interrupted Savannah’s thoughts. Lily appeared, dressed in soft lavender. It set off her silver ringlets and blue eyes, making the older woman glow.

  “Aren’t you a picture.” Lily embraced Savannah. “Let me take a good look at you.” She held Savannah at arm’s length before turning Savannah toward the mirror. The older woman’s love radiated into Savannah and filled her until she was brimming over.

  “You picked the perfect dress,” Lily said.

  The dress was simple but elegant with a snug white lace bodice and sleeves. A tulle skirt s
kimmed the floor. Her veil was two-tiered with a lace border that went to her waist.

  Tears came to Lily’s eyes. “Your mother would be so proud of you and happy for this day.” She brushed away a stray tear. “And she would love Alex, because he loves you. That was her only criteria. Love.”

  Savannah wiped away her own tears. “I know. I can feel her close today.” She turned away from the mirror and faced Lily. “Thank you so much for all you’ve done. This day…everything. I hope you know how much you mean to me.”

  Lily reached up and caressed Savannah’s face. “Oh, you dear girl. I am so glad to finally see you happy. You deserve this and so much more. You and Alex have worked so hard to be here. You both deserve this.” She patted Savannah’s face before pulling her into another embrace.

  Another knock came to the door. Charles’s voice came through. “Five minutes. Are you about ready?”

  “Yes, Dad. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  Lily turned back to Savannah. “He’s a changed man,” she whispered reverently. “He told me how you encouraged him to walk into the hospital that day Shelby fell, and later how you approached him about marrying Alex. You are a brave girl to face your father’s grief along with your own. I admire your courage, Savannah.”

  Savannah smiled. “He’s opened up in the last couple of months, and the three of us have talked a lot about Mom. Even Marissa is feeling better.”

  Lily’s face lit up. “I know! She told me she’s going to start school.”

  Savannah grinned. “She’s going to study fashion design.”

  “I couldn’t have picked a better major for her,” Lily said. She grew serious. “I want to thank you for including Shelby and Chantelle in your wedding. I know they acted foolish around Alex, but they’ve both grown up so much since then.”

  Lily continued, “Since the accident, Shelby is really self-conscious about her gait, but because you were so insistent on needing her help, she feels better. It’s encouraged her to get out of the house. She’s become more involved in the planning of Chantelle’s wedding, too. And her and Ben’s relationship is becoming serious.”