Her Second Chance Prodigal Groom

by Taylor Hart

  Every part of her grew still, and she suddenly understood everything the way DJ would have seen it. He and Travis had been competitors in everything—from simple things like racing down the dock, to drills on the football field, to vying for their father’s love and attention. “If I wouldn’t have called the cops, none of this would have happened.”

  He shook his head. “No. Don’t do that. This was all my fault. I should have told you how I felt about you a long time ago.”

  More tears fell, and she stared at this beautiful, glorious, broken man in front of her.

  DJ brushed a hand over his face. “I get why you called the cops. And I get being angry at me for leaving, but why did you marry him? Why?”

  The truth bubbled inside of her. “I married him because I loved him, too,” she said, her heart beating rapidly. “I loved him, too.”

  DJ turned still as a statue. He stared at her, letting out a long breath. “Unbelievable.”

  This was too much. He’d said he loved her. He was going to ask her to the dance. Travis had known that, and he’d never told her. DJ said he would have come back and fixed things. Her mind whirled with confusion. “DJ, please just go.”

  Chapter 17

  The next morning, DJ went to the police station. Even though he didn’t know where he and Aspen stood, he did know one thing—his dad’s place needed to be his place.

  He told the lady at the desk he needed to speak with Bill, and he found himself being ushered toward Bill’s office.

  Just as they got to the door with his name on it, it burst open and a policeman DJ didn’t recognize walked out, ushering a tall kid in handcuffs down the hallway.

  “I wish you would have asked for help, son.” Bill moved to the door and glared at the boy walking away. “Your mom is going to be very disappointed.”

  DJ couldn’t help but smirk, thinking about Bill taking his own father to jail on that fateful night years ago. “Still torturing families, I see.”

  Bill grimaced when he saw DJ, then pointed. “That was the kid who’s been terrifying the whole community by taking packages off doorsteps.”

  DJ tried to get a look at the kid, but he was gone. “A kid? I was outrun by a kid?”

  Bill scoffed and walked into the office. “Check your ego, Madden. The kid’s a pro at this.”

  DJ followed him inside, feeling a bit bad for his pot shot at Bill. “Was it just him or did he have help?”

  Bill sat behind a desk, leaning back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Take a seat.”

  DJ didn’t want to, but he moved inside and sat.

  “It was just him.” Bill scowled. “But it’s a tough situation.”

  DJ threw up his hands. “Why? You steal, you go to jail. It’s not rocket science.”

  Bill sighed, and then let out a sardonic laugh. “Yep, everything’s just black and white to DJ Madden, isn’t it?”

  DJ didn’t like being reminded of all the grey in his life. “Hey, stealing is stealing and the kid tortured Aspen by doing it.”

  “You don’t think I know that?” Bill asked.

  For a few seconds they just glared at each other, but DJ didn’t understand what the big deal was. Bill was acting so strange.

  Bill cursed. “The kid has a mom who is in critical care right now. Kidney failure.”

  Pain filled DJ as he thought of his own mother.

  Bill rubbed a hand across his forehead. “The kid was just trying to resell some of the gifts online and cover her medical bills.”

  Now, DJ felt like he’d been hit by a linebacker. “What?”

  “Yeah.”

  DJ thought about how Aspen had told him that Bill’s wife had passed last year because of cancer. “Dang.”

  Bill shook his head. “The kid will be prosecuted and do you want to know what the worst part is?”

  DJ shook his head.

  “The only thing the kid asked me was if he’d be able to be out of jail in time to spend Christmas with his mom.”

  Emotion scraped the back of DJ’s throat.

  They were both quiet for a few moments.

  DJ stood, needing to change the topic. “Like I said, I’m willing to pay double for the house.”

  “And I told you no.”

  DJ had been prepped for this by the attorney he’d contacted minutes before walking into the police station. “I’ll take you to court. I’ll prove that my dad wasn’t in his right mind and that I’m willing to make reparations.”

  Bill frowned. “Then take me to court.”

  DJ sighed, knowing what this was really about. He’d seen the way Bill looked at her. “Bill, she doesn’t love you.”

  The casual look on Bill’s face changed and he leaned forward, uncrossing his arms. “She calls me for everything. She doesn’t call her boyfriend; she calls me.”

  DJ had been right. Bill thought he was in love with Aspen. That’s what this house business was about. “Bill.”

  Bill stood and kicked the trash can, just hard enough to make it rattle. “Harrison’s a moron.”

  “I know.” DJ stood too, careful to maintain a polite distance. “I don’t like him, either, but the house isn’t going to make her love you.”

  Bill didn’t respond. “What do you care anyway, you live in San Antonio?”

  “I want to come home now,” he said simply.

  Bill looked surprised.

  “I’m sorry for everything that’s happened, Bill. I am.”

  Bill sized him up, then turned away, dismissing him. “If you really want that house back, then you’re going to have to take me to court.”

  DJ sucked in a long breath, then moved toward the doorway, pausing and turning back. “I want to pay off the kid’s debts.”

  Bill met his eyes. “What?”

  Certainty pulsed through him. “I mean it. I want to take care of all of the money the kid took from others. I want to give the kid a second chance.” He sputtered out a breath. “I’ve come to almost believe in those lately.”

  Bill suddenly let out a breath and moisture filled his eyes.

  “Can you talk to the judge for him? Help make it possible?”

  Bill rubbed a hand over his eyes. “You and me working together on a Christmas miracle?” A small smile played at his lips.

  DJ blinked. “Kinda feels good.”

  Bill let out a light laugh. “Yeah,” he said in a broken voice. “It kinda does.”

  Later that morning, DJ walked into the care center. He couldn’t see Aspen, which frustrated him. He’d texted her, and she wasn’t answering.

  The same nurse who’d given him Aspen’s address the first night was at the desk. “Hey, Natalie,” he said.

  She smacked her gum as he walked past and smiled at him. “Already breaking her heart, are you?”

  He stopped, frowning. “What?”

  She sized him up. “Big fish in a little pond come home to claim what’s his. But you have to leave in two days, right? To be back for the big game? So how are you going to convince our girl that you’re her guy?”

  He scowled, in no mood for games. It wasn’t his usual play to talk about his private life with anyone, but this was a small town and she obviously knew a lot. “I don’t know.”

  “Have you met the idiot Aspen’s been dating?”

  Now he smiled. He liked this girl more and more. “I have.”

  She snorted, picking at her gum. “If it’s The Bachelorette and we’re voting, you’re getting my vote. You’d better figure out what to do.” She nodded down the hallway. “Go see your dad first. Aspen would want that. Then I’ll tell you where Aspen’s at.”

  As anxious as he was to see Aspen, he walked to his father’s room first. He knocked lightly before walking in. His dad was stationed in front of the television, but he was napping. DJ tried to be quiet, not wanting to disturb him. He went for the couch and sat, trying to focus on the whole reason he’d come back. His dad had been his biggest regret. Even if things were weird with Aspen, the trip would be wor
th it for that.

  Yet he couldn’t banish the memory of holding her, of the way she’d kissed him, or how he felt like she’d always belonged in his arms. Of the way Travis acted…well, like his son. He bent forward, putting his head down and wishing he’d done so many things differently.

  In the corner of his vision, he saw an album amidst the others he’d flipped through yesterday—a small one, tucked behind the rest. The photo on the front showed Aspen and his brother holding each other. She was wearing a white dress, not fancy, and she held a bouquet of flowers. Travis looked exactly like DJ remembered him: young, a bit mischievous. He was wearing a suit, and he looked proud.

  DJ couldn’t stop himself. He opened the book. They were standing in front of her parents’ house, and she was pushing cake into his mouth. Her mother was there, laughing. Aspen was more gorgeous than he’d ever seen her. Well, strike that. It didn’t matter what she was wearing or how old she was; he’d always thought she was gorgeous.

  He turned the page and saw Aspen dancing with her father on a dance floor they’d clearly put down on the beach. People stood around, watching them.

  He’d gotten an invitation to the wedding. Of course he had. He’d even gotten several messages from his brother, but he’d ignored them all. It was supposed to be him and Aspen in this album. He blinked, and it surprised him that he wasn’t angry, the way he used to feel about her marrying his brother. No. Now, looking at the pictures, he just felt sad.

  There was another picture with his dad. One with her family. More of her and Travis dancing. And right behind those, sudden enough to cause whiplash, was a paper that had his brother’s name on it and the details of the funeral.

  DJ flipped the next page and saw a picture of himself standing next to the grave. The anger on his face stunned him. He’d tried to block that day out of his memories. She must have taken the picture when he wasn’t aware.

  “Excuse me, young man.”

  His father’s voice startled him, and he dropped the little picture album. “Oh.” He picked it back up and put it down. “Hey.”

  His father gave him the wide, confused smile that DJ had gotten used to. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

  DJ stood quickly. “I’m a friend.” He put his hand out.

  His father shook his hand and then nodded. “It’s always nice to have a friend. Sit, let’s talk.”

  DJ spoke easily with his father, talking about the weather, the state of the country, and football. But all he could think about was that grave. How he’d left her. How he should have fixed things so much sooner.

  He’d been such an idiot.

  When DJ no longer knew what to talk about, he checked his phone, and he was surprised to see a text from Aspen.

  This is Travis. Will you come over at six to make gingerbread houses?

  His heart leapt and he laughed.

  “Must be good news,” his father said.

  DJ grinned at his dad and stood. “Excuse me, I have to go build a gingerbread house with my nephew.”

  His father’s face brightened, and he wagged a finger. “Build it on the beach. The best houses are on the beach.”

  Patting his father’s shoulder, DJ laughed. “Yes, they are.”

  He needed that beach house.

  Chapter 18

  Aspen lay in her bed, hating how she couldn’t see out of the right side of her right eye. She hadn’t had a migraine in forever, but it had conveniently hit her this afternoon after she’d cleaned and started to haul boxes out of the attic. Her vision had blurred like a broken television screen, and Aspen knew the only thing she could do was head for bed.

  “Mama,” asked Travis quietly. He’d gotten into trouble for talking too loudly a little bit ago. “Are you okay?”

  She reached her hand out, and he took it. “I’m okay. I’ll be fine in a little bit; it’s just a headache.”

  “But you can’t see.”

  Aspen bit back a retort. Travis couldn’t understand. “I’ll be okay. It’s just temporary.”

  “Okay,” he said, kissing the back of her hand and leaning his head next to hers.

  Guilt filled her, even though her head pounded worse. “Baby, I’m sorry. We’re not going to be able to do the gingerbread houses tonight.”

  Her son didn’t speak for a few seconds.

  “Travis? Will you get my phone and text your uncle, and tell him not to come?”

  He sighed. “Okay.”

  She waited while he took off down the hallway.

  Soon his footsteps returned to her room. “Mama!” he said way too loudly.

  Her head throbbed, making her nauseous. “Son, please don’t yell.”

  “Sorry,” he whispered.

  She kept her eyes closed, hoping the pain would pass quickly.

  “Mama, Uncle DJ texted he was coming.”

  “No,” she said too loudly, grabbing her head from the pain of her own efforts.

  “Mama,” Travis whispered. “I’m scared you’re hurt.”

  “I’m okay.” She breathed deeply. “Please tell Uncle DJ not to come.”

  Suddenly, a loud knock echoed down the hallway. It was too late.

  Chapter 19

  DJ had never felt so helpless. When he’d arrived, he’d been shocked to find Aspen in bed and in such pain. He’d gotten her meds and a fan and commanded her to go to sleep. Then he’d built a Rebel Stadium gingerbread house with Travis and put him to bed. Now, he stood in the doorway and watched her.

  “You’re stalking me again?” she whispered.

  It startled him, and he let out a light laugh. “Guess so.”

  “Please, come in.”

  He slowly entered her room, taking care to be quiet. He tried not to think about last night and all the things they needed to talk about. Growing up, she’d had migraines, and he’d sat with her for countless hours. He took a seat in the rocking chair next to her bed.

  She still didn’t move, and her eyes were closed. “Thank you.”

  It nearly broke him to see her so vulnerable. “Of course.”

  “Usually my parents are here to help.”

  “Right.” He crossed his legs and thought about Harrison. Did he help?

  For a couple of moments, neither of them spoke. Then, in a gesture that stunned him, she reached out.

  He scooted the chair closer to her side, grasping her hand. He wanted to hold her hand for the rest of his life, but he had no idea how to go about doing that.

  “DJ?”

  “Yeah?” he whispered.

  “I have to tell you something, but I don’t want to talk about it after, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  She squeezed his hand. “You were my first love.”

  He wanted to demand more, to hear about when she’d fallen for him. So many emotions rushed through him, but he only said, “I loved you since I can remember. It was just like I’d never not loved you. And I never should have left without talking to you. And I sure as heck should have at least called you.”

  “Yeah,” she said. “You should have.”

  He let out a light laugh, not caring that she wasn’t letting him off the hook so easily.

  DJ didn’t know how much time went by. He sat next to her, just holding her hand and feeling grateful to be here now. He’d been such a jerk for so many years.

  “I decided something a few moments ago.”

  “What is that?” he asked.

  She opened her eyes. “I decided to forgive you.”

  It was insane how much hearing those words, seeing the way her eyes were clear and sincere, touched his heart. “After seeing so many things through your eyes the past couple of days, I can honestly tell you I don’t think I deserve it.”

  Aspen scoffed. “And I’ve been sitting here wanting to ask you if you would forgive me, too.”

  Now, he was really humbled. Here was a woman who had endured so much for the past ten years—a woman who had actually loved him, a woman he’d never quit loving—asking for his
forgiveness. He blinked.

  She squeezed his hand. “C’mon, Madden, it’s fourth and down. I’m waiting for an answer.”

  DJ chuckled at the football analogy. He squeezed her hand, putting his other hand on her forehead. He thought of all the years of pain, and the lies he’d told himself. “Only if you know that I really am sorry. You have to believe that I’m so sorry for being such a fool for so long.”

  She reached out, touching his face. “I believe you.”

  Her touch sent a spark of warmth through his body. This could be his second chance, and everything in his life could be different now. Unsure of whether he should kiss her or not, he took a chance, leaning in and brushing his lips against hers. “I meant what I said last night. I’ve always loved you.” His heart hammered inside of his chest like a caged bird. “And I still do.”

  She pushed herself up to a sitting position. “I can’t do this lying down.”

  He helped arrange pillows behind her to prop her up, but his adrenaline was on hyper alert. “Is your head feeling better?”

  Her head bobbed in a nod. “DJ…I have complications in my life right now.”

  He sat again and asked the question he’d wanted to ask since he got back. “What about Harrison? What is he to you?”

  She shrugged. “I need to talk to him.”

  “Okay. So how are we dumping him?”

  She froze, then let out a light laugh. “Oh, so it’s ‘we’?”

  He squeezed her hand. “If that’s what you want.”

  She leaned back. “You make it sound so easy.”

  He fought back a surge of triumph. She hadn’t shut him down. She was actually considering it. “It is easy.”

  She searched his eyes. “I can’t…” She closed her eyes and leaned back. “I can’t think about all of this right now.”

  He wanted to demand that she just cut the guy loose. But he wouldn’t push. “Could I just lie on half of the bed? Like I used to stay by you when we were kids?”