Love's Second Chance (Second Chances #1)(18)

“You don’t know that,” I snapped.

“Oh yes I do!” he commanded forcefully. “I promise I’ll always be here for you. You have my word.”

“How can you promise that? We’re not promised tomorrow,” I said softly.

“I know we’re not promised tomorrow, but that’s just a risk you have to be willing to take. You can’t live your life in fear, because if you do you’ll miss out on everything.”

We stared at each other for a while until Galen smiled and jumped off the bed. “I have an idea to lighten the mood,” he said excitedly. At my questioning look he left the room and came back with my bag. “Get your bathing suit. We’re going for a swim.”

“But it’s freezing outside!” I shrieked.

He undid his pants and let them fall to the floor. Before he slid a pair of swimming trunks on, I got a good, long glance at his glorious body. Never have I forgotten that body or how it felt to be taken by him. Galen was a hard man to forget. Shaking my head to clear the thoughts, I looked up to notice Galen smirking at me. By the expression on his face I was sure he knew what I was thinking.

He leaned over the bed and gave me a quick, playful kiss. “The pool is heated, babe. I thought I would let you know there wouldn’t be any shrinkage going on.” My face bloomed bright crimson as he headed out of the bedroom and stalked down the hall. “Get dressed and meet me out there!” he yelled.

Sitting in silence, I tried to gather my thoughts and take some deep breaths. You can do this, Korinne, I assured myself. I’d lost one love of my life, surely it wouldn’t happen again so soon. I could only pray it didn’t, because no matter how hard I tried I didn’t think I could stop myself from falling hard for the alluring Galen Matthews … again.





Chapter Eight





The weekend turned out to be a milestone for mine and Korinne’s relationship. Talking to her brought back all of the fond memories we shared together. I wanted to make love to her more than anything, but she wasn’t completely ready yet. Maybe once she saw I wasn’t going anywhere I could get her to open up to me. Staring at my phone, I decided to send her a text.



Me: Hey.

Kori: Hello.

Me: How are you?

Kori: Fine, you?

Me: Working.

Kori: Sounds like fun. :)

Me: Can we talk tonight?

Kori: Of course.

Me: Great! I’ll call you after work.

Kori: Sounds good!



There was nothing I could do about Korinne missing her husband except be there for her and let her know I understood. I knew what it was like to lose someone you loved, but my loss was my father. There was a difference, but it was still a loss that hurt nonetheless. I had an idea in my head of something I could do for Korinne to show her that I understood and cared. Searching through my phone, I found the number to the man I needed to speak to.

“Hello, Richard here.” His voice came over the line.

“Richard, its Galen. How are you?” I greeted warmly.

“Galen! My boy, it’s been a long time. How’s the family?” he inquired excitedly. Richard was a really good friend of my father’s, and was also on the board of trustees at the hospital. The same hospital Korinne’s husband worked at.

“The family is doing great. Hey, listen, I would like to make a donation to the hospital.”

“Really?” he replied. “That would be mighty generous of you. How much would you want to donate?”

“Does two million sound good?” I asked. The line went silent and I was starting to think the connection was lost until I heard Richard fumble with the phone. Thankfully, I didn’t give him a heart attack.

He cleared his throat and stuttered, “Did I hear that right? You want to donate two million dollars?”

I laughed. “Yes, that’s right. If you don’t mind, I’ll have my accountant get in touch with you tomorrow.”

“No, that’s perfect, but I have to say that I’m speechless, Galen. Thank you so much. Is there a reason why you’re doing this, or for whom might I ask?”

“Actually there is,” I confessed. “I want it in Carson Anders’ memory. I heard about his accident and I wanted him to be recognized for his commitment to the hospital.”

Richard sighed. “Ah, yes, Dr. Carson. He was one of our best. His accident was such a tragedy. It hasn’t been the same around here with him gone. I know his wife took it really hard when it happened.”

“I’m sure she did,” I said.

“I know everyone will appreciate this, son. If there’s anything I can do for you, just let me know,” Richard suggested.

“Will do, Richard. Tell your wife I said hello.”

“I sure will. She’ll be glad to know you called, and she also knows what this weekend is, too. Sarah mentioned it the other day.”

I chuckled. “I knew she wouldn’t forget.”

“She never does.”

“Take care, and I’ll speak to you again soon,” I said before hanging up. Sarah was Richard’s wife and a wonderful woman. Every year she would make my favorite cake for my birthday … red velvet. This coming weekend happened to be my birthday, and I was going to be thirty-one years old. Sometimes I felt older.