Page 53 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

“I think we should pay him a visit. He still living in a camper out at Bluebird?”

“Same place he’s been for years.”

Obviously, Buddy was high on the list of suspects—the only suspect at that time—but Rip couldn’t help but think he and Bend were missing an important element.

“I want you along because you know him better than anyone.”

“That doesn’t mean he’ll talk to me though,” Rip said.

Bend shrugged. “Just make sure whatever you hear doesn’t make you react and ruin any chance of putting him behind bars if he’s our guy.”

“Not on your life.” Rip wanted to throat punch the sum’bitch, but he would rather see him face his crime in court.

***

Noelle received a message from the phone tree group. Parker was going into labor. Since it was three o’clock in the morning, Noelle was the only one awake to answer the call.

Noelle sent a message,“What can I do?”

“Can you come and stay with the kids? P.”

Noelle hesitated. She’d told Rip she’d stay at the hospital.“I’d love to help but I’m at the hospital with a friend and I don’t have transportation now. N.”

“I’m in a bind. I’m scared. This baby will come fast. But I understand. P.”

“If I had a way there, I’d help. N.”

“I can have Derry come and pick you up. I wouldn’t ask but the contractions are coming strong. P.”

What could Noelle say?“I’ll be waiting for him outside in front of the ER lobby. N.”

Noelle waited out front on the bench and sent Rip a message, letting him know where she’d be.

He hadn’t replied by the time a silver truck pulled along the curb. The passenger window rolled down and Noelle saw Derry at the driver’s side. “I can’t thank you enough for this, Noelle.”

She opened the passenger door and slid inside. “I’m sorry you had to come all the way here to pick me up when I’m sure Parker didn’t want you to leave her side. How’s she doing? She sounded a bit frantic.” Noelle thought it was a bit odd that the jovial woman who’d been through this experience many times had sounded so panicky.

“She’s a trooper. We’re grateful that the baby is finally coming. Harley will be glad to see you. Parker doesn’t feel comfortable leaving the kids alone even though I think they’d be fine. She’s a worrywart. Always has been.” He pulled away from the hospital and pressed the gas, heading onto the dark, quiet road.

“I’m more than happy to help.” She’d never much liked Derry, but maybe he had changed over the years. He seemed like an attentive husband and father, although she didn’t know him well.

The country road appeared eerie without any light in the sky, only that of the headlights of the truck. At this time of morning, they’d be the only ones out.

Derry turned off the stereo and slowed the truck. “Is it good to be back in Second Chance?”

“I’ve always loved it here. It’s peaceful.” Except for the fact that someone wanted her gone from town…

“I’m surprised you left years ago. You seemed like one those people who would stay forever.”

The statement caught her off guard. Maybe she was being hyper-sensitive after all the events that had taken place. “People change.”

“I get it. It’s something that Tuck is your father.” He flicked the beams on low.

“It definitely shocked me, but at least I can say he was a very good man and I did spend a lot of time with him.”

“It makes sense. The way he was protective over you. He remodeled the farmhouse just for you. He always had a soft spot for you.”

“I wish I would have known sooner that he was my father.” She glanced down at her phone, wishing Rip would message her.

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