Read Second Chance at Forever (Forever Book 2) for Free Online

straight, and in the end, I let my defenses down. One weekend in the Hamptons was the game changer for Elizabeth and me.
    Glancing down at my watch, I was brought back into the present. It had been a while since my son left. I was about to call him when I heard him call out to me first.
    “Dad!”
    “Hey, there you are, and you’re smiling. I guess all is well with you and Riley?”
    “She’s amazing, dad. Richard drove us to the coffee house that I had taken her to when we met again last year. She was so happy to see me. All I wanted to do was hold her, and pray she would understand and forgive me. I guess she sensed my tension and asked me what was wrong. Dad, she actually thought I was breaking up with her. I quickly explained to her that was not the case, and just blurted out my real name. She was taken aback at first, and then I explained everything, and she told me that there was nothing to forgive. I knew what I was hearing, but still had a difficult time believing it until she wrapped her arms around my neck. She pulled me down to kiss her, and I was in, head over heels. She’s amazing, dad.”
    “Yes, son, you’ve said that. I’m happy you worked it out. It will make our evening go a lot smoother knowing all the secrets are out in the open. Did she say how she will explain it to her mother?”
    “Riley wasn’t too worried about it, so I’m not either.”
    “Like I said earlier, women have a hard time resisting the Reed charm. Her mother will love you.”
    “Well if anyone can charm a woman, it’s you, dad. I learned all my skills from you.”
    I now let out a much needed laugh and looked back over to Jackson.
    “You better believe it, son.”

…seventeen years later

    “OH, NANA, RILEY has raided my closet again, leaving not one accessory or article of clothing untouched!”
    Oh, how I loved my daughter, but my closet should be off limits to her. She had a fully stocked walk-in closet of her own, but always tended to shop out of mine. That’s what I get for having a daughter, but I loved her so much that I just laughed and smiled. Nana laughed over the phone too.
    “I can remember those times when you used to do the same thing, my dear Reese. You used to walk around in my shoes, and oh, poor Bubba, how you dressed up that dog.”
    “He loved it, and you know it,” I remarked, as we both reminisced about Bubba.
    Bubba never left my side and always protected me during the thunderstorms that still get to me even now. I missed him very much. He lived a long time, sixteen years to be exact. I would never forget the first time coming home for a visit and instantly feeling lost when Bubba didn’t come charging for me. They never did get another pet. Nana and Granddaddy missed him so much.
    “Oh, Nana, I didn’t want this phone call to make us sad, and now it has.”
    “Oh, sweet girl, don’t you go worrying about poor old Bubba, he’s running around the beautiful skies of heaven, probably causing a ruckus too. What I really want to know is when you’re getting yourself back home to Pottersville for a visit? It’s been way too long, and your Granddaddy has been asking for you, and I want to see my Riley girl too!”
    “So you can spoil her some more? Believe me, Nana, that daughter of mine has many of us wrapped around her finger.”
    “Well that’s fine by me, she’s my only great grandchild, and I love her to the moon and back.”
    Oh that one hurt. It still hurts every time I think of my baby boy that wasn’t strong enough to be born. What hurts the most is that I never even told Nana about him…Walker’s and my child. I made so many mistakes back then.
    “Reese…Are you still there?”
    “I’m sorry, Nana, yes I’m here. My mind drifted away for a bit. Anyway, I promise to visit soon, and with Riley.”
    “What about that husband of yours? Will he bless us with his presence?” Clearly she wasn’t a fan of Samuel.
    Granddaddy always treated my Nana like a queen. Nana knew my