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

Savannah pushed the mouse around. “Let me just shut everything down, and we can head out.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll meet you in the barn.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Savannah saddled her gelding, Strider, and led him outside before mounting. Marissa was already on her horse, a paint she named Skye, and the two moved out together.

  “So, where do you want to go?” Savannah asked.

  “Let’s head toward Rimrock,” Marissa said.

  That would make for a long ride, but why not? Savannah celebrated the late spring day. The temperature was perfect and a light breeze ruffled her hair along with Strider’s mane. The summer flies still hadn’t made their debut, and Strider tossed his head in sheer enjoyment of being outside.

  Once they passed through the gate, Marissa pushed Skye close to Strider and Savannah. “I need to ask you something.”

  Savannah looked at her sister with curiosity.

  “Do you think I have a chance with Alex?”

  Savannah bit her tongue to keep from sucking in her breath at the sound of his name. She blinked several times as a sliver of pain pushed deeper into her heart. If she’d known Marissa wanted to talk about Alex, she would’ve made some excuse to stay in the office.

  All week, Savannah worked hard at focusing on the task in front of her in the effort to keep thoughts of Alex at bay. But memories still filtered through her defenses, even with the accounting spread-sheets plastered on the unblinking computer screen. Every time she tried to focus on work, her mind would wander to last Friday night’s dinner. Did he follow her up the stairs, hoping to catch her alone? Maybe.

  Embarrassment rose along with the sense of a lost opportunity. It was the first time she had seen him in six years, and something snarky popped out of her mouth. She didn’t mean it the way it sounded. In fact, she didn’t know what she was trying to say. His presence rattled her to the point where she couldn’t even think. She wished a hundred times for a redo of that precious moment.

  What would she say to him if she had a second chance around his comment regarding primeval forests? Maybe she could tell him she still loved trees, but she was needed at the ranch. Perhaps she could ask him how he cared for his own trees in his pecan orchard. Anything to keep him beside her and talking. If she were really brave, she might draw close to him and reach out and brush his arm with her fingers in that familiar and intimate way. Would he return her touch?

  “Savannah! I just asked you a really important question. Do you think I have a chance with Alex?”

  Savannah refocused on her sister as the hope around Alex dissipated. “I-I-I guess so.”

  Marissa gave her a hard stare. “What kind of an answer is that?” She turned to face forward as they continued to walk their horses in silence.

  Marissa’s question swirled inside Savannah’s head. Did her sister have a chance with Alex? Why not? She was just as pretty as Chantelle and Shelby with her wide hazel eyes framed in dark lashes and abundant hair the color of spun honey. She looked more like their mother every day.

  But Marissa wasn’t the kind of woman who would interest Alex. Shopping trips and snake-skin boots would send him running the other way. And Savannah still couldn’t dismiss the cold tone of his voice when he greeted Marissa during their introduction on Friday. Did she remember him? Maybe she needed to tell Marissa about her earlier relationship with Alex. It would certainly give her some much-needed information and maybe she would quit asking Savannah about him. “You know, he worked with Dad years ago,” Savannah said slowly.

  “No! Oh. My. Gosh. How long ago was that? Where was I? How could I miss such a gorgeous man?”

  “You were young. Probably sixteen. And you know how Dad likes to keep the ranch hands separate, so it’s no surprise you didn’t meet him.”

  “But you remember him?”

  Savannah hesitated. “Yes, I-I do remember him.”

  “He must not remember you, though.” Marissa sat up in her saddle. “He hardly paid any attention to you, but he seemed to be busy checking me out.” Marissa grew serious. “And I have to admit, I did feel some sort of connection between us.”

  Marissa was right. During dinner, Alex never looked her way. So maybe there was nothing to tell. Their relationship was six years ago, and Alex most-likely moved on. Savannah was fooling herself if she thought he followed her up the stairs hoping for a moment alone, and maybe she just imagined Alex’s cool tone toward Marissa.

  Marissa continued, “I think he really enjoyed my company!” Then, Marissa scowled. “Things would’ve gone a lot better if Chantelle would’ve behaved like she was engaged, which she is. Did you notice she wasn’t even wearing her ring? She and Shelby were so clingy. I wish both of them would just lay off.”

  The girls urged their horses forward for several minutes while Marissa continued her monologue. “I’m not all that worried about Shelby, but Chantelle can really turn heads, and she turned Alex’s head plenty. Every time he moved, it was to look at her. Just when I thought he was leaning my way, she’d touch him or say something to get his attention. Thing is, she’s promised to Mason. Do you think I should talk to her about her behavior?”

  Savannah was doubtful Marissa’s approach with Chantelle would be tactful. “And say what? Chantelle’s behavior really isn’t any of your business, especially in her own home. Besides, we have a long history with the Thomases, and they’re the closest thing we have to family. You wouldn’t want to jeopardize that for a man.”

  Marissa waved her hand in the air. “I’m not jeopardizing anything. It’s Chantelle who should be worried about jeopardizing her engagement to Mason and her relationship with us.”

  “You’ve got a good point,” Savannah conceded.

  “Besides, I don’t care about any of that if it will help Alex and I get to know each other better.”

  Savannah let the silence linger. This summer was going to be even harder than she imagined if Marissa was constantly harping on her desire to get closer to Alex. “You know, Alex isn’t the only man on the planet. You should get out more.”

  “I know Alex isn’t the only man on the planet, but he’s a rare breed that’s good-looking, wealthy, and single. How often does that combination happen? The man owns his own pecan orchard, and he’s gorgeous. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in Texas and be the wife to all of that?”

  Savannah bit her bottom lip. There was so much more to Alex than good looks and wealth. He was tender and attentive. It was those things Savannah missed. His current wealth didn’t matter to Savannah, just as his lack of it hadn’t mattered all those years ago. But money mattered to her father and Kelly, and she allowed their concerns to take precedence.

  Marissa interrupted her thoughts. “And what do you mean when you say I should get out more often? I get out all the time.”

  “Yes, but that’s for shopping trips to Denver with your friends. You’re not going to meet very many men that way.”

  “Well, I’m not hanging out at the local watering hole, if that’s what you’re suggesting. And I’m not signing up for some online dating service.”

  “You should know me better than that.” Savannah laughed

  Marissa joined in before asking, “What are you suggesting?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe you and a couple of your friends could go out to dinner at one of the nicer places. You know, like the Mission Creek Homestead. Lots of folks hang out there. Or, there’s the Adobe Grill. I’ve been there a couple of times.”

  Marissa laughed. “When do you ever go out?”

  “It’s been a long time, I have to admit.” Savannah shrugged. She remembered her earlier phone conversation with Elle, and the plans made to meet at the Adobe Grill. She turned her attention back to Marissa. “It would be something different, and you could at least check it out. Perhaps you could meet someone that way.”

  Marissa became thoughtful. “You might be right. Maybe I need to broaden my horizons. I’ll talk with Janie and Sam when we get back from our rid
e and see what we can cook up.”

  “It’s a place to start.”

  “But what about Alex?” Marissa asked.

  “He’ll probably be coming to Lily’s Friday night dinners.” The thought gave Savannah both joy and pain.

  “Yes, but…I don’t think it’s quite enough. For one thing, it’s Chantelle and Shelby’s home. It gives them the advantage.”

  “I hardly see--.”

  “No, really. I mean, he gets comfortable in their home with their family and their surroundings. I think I need to host a party and invite him. He can meet some of my friends, and it’ll even out the playing field. And I won’t be inviting Shelby or Chantelle.”

  Savannah gave her sister a disbelieving look. “Do you really think Dad is going sign off on a party that involves Alex Steele? Since you’re not working, it’d be on his dime, and he could hardly stand to be at the same table with Alex and his family. And you need to remember, Dad hates parties, since…well, since Mom died. And if you do manage to have this party, you have to invite Shelby and Chantelle. It will be both obvious and rude if you don’t include them.”

  “If I approach Dad in just the right way, I think I can get him to agree.” She thought for a moment. “And I’ll have to come up with a pretty good excuse to exclude Shelby and Chantelle, but I’ll think of something.” She turned to face Savannah. “As far as the money is concerned, maybe you’d be willing to pay for it. Dad certainly pays you well, so I know you’ve got the money. That would help.”

  Savannah couldn’t believe Marissa’s brazen request and assumptions. “You’re on your own with this.”

  Marissa gave her a sullen look. “Some help you are.”

  The conversation was interrupted by the sound of approaching hooves. Coming from the east were Chantelle and Shelby with Alex.

  Marissa gave Savannah a quick look. “Don’t say anything,” she hissed under her breath before giving a bright wave to the three riders.

  “Like I would,” Savannah replied.

  Savannah kept Strider at a walk while Marissa pushed Skye into a trot to meet the threesome.

  “Where are you headed?” Marissa asked.

  “We’re just hoofing through the Lone Pine Trail. How about you?” Shelby offered.

  “That’s where we’re going, too,” Marissa said.

  Savannah held her breath for a moment. The Lone Pine Trail was a shorter distance and not so remote. But it was full of memory.

  Turning their horses in with the threesome, Savannah rode on the outside next to Shelby while Marissa tried to push Skye between Chantelle and Alex. Chantelle moved her horse closer to Alex, making Marissa take the outside spot.

  Soon, Savannah slowed her horse a step behind. Although the trail was wide in this particular place, it narrowed and became rockier in steeper climbs, and she didn’t want to risk Strider. There was no reason for her to move closer, anyway. Alex seemed content with the company of the three young women, who were busy chattering in the effort to impress him.

  As the trail narrowed and became rocky, Savannah found herself giving in to the memories from six years ago, when she and Alex took this trail together during spring afternoons. The landscape was similar with a benevolent afternoon and the breeze gently touching the tall grass.

  “Tell me about your mom,” Alex said on one of their many rides.

  Savannah smiled. “She was kind, and she loved her family. We meant everything to her. It’s why she wanted the baby. She’d always wanted another baby, but the doctors told her they didn’t think she’d ever be able to have another child after Marissa was born. So, when she found out she was pregnant, she and Dad were both happy.” She paused. “We were all so happy.”

  “What happened?” Alex whispered in that reverent space where emotions hang in nature’s delicate balance between sky and earth.

  Never before had Savannah talked about her mother’s death, but she was not at a loss for words. They tumbled from her as if they’d been waiting to be called. “We were all there, at the hospital. I remember being so excited. We all were. Marissa and I waited in a special room for expectant families, while Dad went in with her. Then, things took a bad turn, and they made him leave. When he found us, he was white as a sheet.” Savannah paused as tears came fast and sudden. “The doctor came out about an hour later. The baby got stuck. By the time they managed to deliver him, he was gone, and Mom bled out.” Savannah stopped Strider. She was weak and tears blinded her vision. She dismounted and reached for a nearby stony slab as sobs broke some inward dam built with years of unspoken grief. Never before had she cried with such deep gut-wrenching wails.

  Alex dismounted his horse, took Strider’s reins, and tied both animals to a nearby bush before settling down next to Savannah. Quietly, he held her without a word. He rocked her gently, cradling her against him until her cries subsided.

  For several minutes, Savannah leaned against Alex, his hand holding her head against his chest. As she began to quiet, she heard his heart beat strong and steady. His touch brought the comfort that was needed for her broken pieces to begin mending.

  “Thank you. I’m so sorry.”

  “I’ll take the thanks, but not the apology,” Alex said. “I’m glad we were able to talk about your mom, and I’m honored you would share your feelings with me.”

  “You’re the only one who knows,” she whispered.

  The truth of her own words shook her. Only Alex was able to truly take in the heart-wrenching pain around the loss of her mother without running away. In his willingness to shoulder some of her anguish, he lessened it. Sitting with her through her deepest grief was an act of bravery. Nestling close, Savannah breathed in her first sense of peace around the loss of her mother and brother. She could love this man. Maybe she already did.

  Strider took a wrong step, bringing Savannah back to the present. She brought the horse to a halt. No one noticed. In fact, they were already so far ahead, she could barely hear their babble. Savannah urged Strider forward. The horse moved, but with a slight limp. Quickly, she dismounted and picked up his right front hoof. Pushing around, she didn’t feel any bruising or anything that caused alarm. Maybe he just stepped wrong. Still, she didn’t want to take any chances. She would walk him home.

  Going home meant she would miss out on Alex’s company. A wave of relief and disappointment surged through Savannah at this realization. How could two competing emotions swirl around the same experience?

  Savannah’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a horse coming towards her. Looking up, she noticed Shelby had turned her horse and was making her back to Savannah. “Hey, Vannie, what’s the matter?” the younger woman shouted as she steadily approached where Savannah stood with Strider.

  “He’s come up lame,” Savannah explained. “It’s probably nothing serious, but I’m going to walk him home.”

  Looking past Shelby, Savannah could see Alex had made his way back to join them. Dismounting, he led his horse close to Strider and stood next to Savannah. The nearness of him caused Savannah to feel shaky and unsteady on her legs. Her heart beat up in her throat and she tried to swallow as she leaned against Strider.

  “Has he been lame before?”

  Savannah risked a glance into Alex’s blue eyes. His look was intense, causing Savannah to avert her eyes. She shook her head. “No. Perhaps he just took a wrong step.”

  “Maybe.” Alex pulled up Strider’s hoof and smoothed away the dirt and dust. “See, here.”

  Savannah drew close to Alex once again and grabbed Strider’s hoof, cupping her hand under Alex’s, who gave her another quick look. This time, she was prepared for the power behind his eyes, and she held his gaze with her own steady look. The familiarity of him filled her with joy while the touch of his skin was both a comfort and searing reminder. She turned her attention to Strider. A pebble smaller than the size of a pea was stuck in the frog of the horse’s hoof. “Yes, I see it.”

  “It’s small, but I bet it’s tender.”
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  Savannah agreed. “I’m sure it is.”

  Alex removed the small pebble while Savannah removed her hand. After all this time, his touch was still as dear to her as it was all those years ago.

  “Let me call Amy,” Alex offered. “She’s bringing one more horse to the Thomases. Maybe she can meet you on the road and drive the two of you back home.”

  The sound of hoofbeats caused Savannah to pull her attention from Alex and watch as everyone gathered around. Savannah wished the girls would keep their distance. She relished those few moments alone with Alex and wished for more. But the girls inched their horses closer, creating a closing circle around the two of them. Now, their conversation was public and there wasn’t any room for some hopeful or sweet gesture.

  Savannah hesitated. “I don’t want to be--.”

  “It’ll save Strider from a long walk.”

  Savannah agreed with Alex’s logic. The less Strider had to walk, the better it would be for him.

  Alex dialed Amy’s number, and they discussed a meeting place along the road.

  Savannah let the familiarity of his voice wash over her. Everything about him pulled at her. His graceful and confident movements around the horses. The way he was able to see what she couldn’t.

  She missed the ability to trust someone as she trusted him. In their short time together, she never doubted how much he loved her. He showed her in his attention and earnest desire to listen, and in his offering of a soft place to land.

  Now, all these years later, she longed for the safety that came with all he offered.

  Alex finished the conversation with his sister and turned toward Savannah. “Did you hear all of that? Do you know where you’re meeting her?”

  Savannah blinked. “Yes. Thank you,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I’ll accept the thanks, but not the apology.”

  Savannah looked up quickly at his words that were just the same as they had been when he held her all those years ago. Were his thoughts as much in the past as hers? Did their touch affect him, too? But, Alex was already mounting his horse and turning away. His jaw was set, and his eyes were cast in shadow under the brim of his hat—unreadable.