Return to Silver Creek: Taylor's Chance

Taylor found herself perched at the kitchen table a week later, her foot tucked comfortably beneath her. April had finally given her the green light to leave her bed, and she was relishing the newfound freedom. She pushed a stray lock of her fiery red hair behind her ear, her focus entirely on the sketch she was shading.

She let out a sigh, her gaze lifting just in time to see a towering man stride into the room. He was clad in a black T-shirt, blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a black Stetson. But it wasn’t just his attire that caught her attention. His imposing size, the tattoos that adorned his skin, and the scar that marred the left side of his face made him an intimidating figure.

He stirred up memories of a foster father she had been placed with when she was just seven. The man had been perpetually angry, with a mean streak that had left her terrified. She had spent eighteen months in that hell, and it had left her wary of men who bore any resemblance to him. Now, she found herself alone in Tucker and April’s kitchen with this stranger.

Chance tried to ignore the way Taylor was studying him. It was clear she didn’t recognize him. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights, ready to bolt at the slightest provocation. Despite this, he found himself taking in her petite frame, her wide hazel eyes that stood out even without makeup, her long hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, and her baggy T-shirt.

Suddenly, Taylor realized she had been staring for far too long. She could feel her cheeks heating up, a blush creeping up her pale skin. She cursed her genetics under her breath but didn’t look away. There was something familiar about this man, something that almost made her feel safe. But she knew better than to trust that feeling.

“Have we met before?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“We’ve crossed paths a few times. You were unconscious for most of them. How are you feeling, by the way?” Chance responded, his gaze never leaving her.

“I’m… I’m better, thank you. I’m actually eager to get back to work,” she replied, forcing a laugh in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Chance simply nodded, not quite ready to reveal that he had been the one taking care of her for the past week. He didn’t want to make her feel any more uncomfortable than she already was. If she remembered or asked, he wouldn’t lie, but he wasn’t about to volunteer the information. He wanted her to know him for who he was, not as some sort of savior.

“Chance!” April’s voice echoed through the kitchen, causing Taylor to jump. “You’re here early, hon!”

April walked over to Chance, wrapping her arms around his neck. He lifted her with one arm and spun her around, his muscles straining against his shirt. Taylor’s heart pounded in her chest at the sight.

“Hey, April. Didn’t have anything else to do tonight,” Chance replied nonchalantly, setting her back down.

“Where’s Ava?” April asked, looking around.

“She wandered off when we got inside. Probably in the playroom you set up,” Chance answered with a shrug.

“That’s great! You know you’re always welcome here,” April said, beaming at him. She then turned to Taylor, clapping her hands together. “Oh, Chance, you know Taylor. She’ll be staying with us for a little while.”

Taylor frowned, hating the fact that she had to rely on her boss for help. She had always been independent, and this felt like a new low for her.

“Nice to officially meet you, Taylor,” Chance said, offering her a warm smile.

Just as Taylor was about to respond, Logan burst into the room, brandishing a plastic gun. All attention immediately shifted to her son. He waved the gun around the room before pointing it at Chance.

“Boom boom,” Logan giggled, his laughter filling the room.

Chance wasn’t surprised by Logan’s playful antics. He had spent hours playing with Ava and Logan over the past week. But when he saw the horrified look on Taylor’s face, he couldn’t help but chuckle. It was clear this wasn’t how she had planned to introduce her son.

Logan was a miniature version of Taylor, with the same fiery red hair and big blue eyes that almost matched his dinosaur pajamas. His curls peeked out from under the oversized Stetson he wore.

“Logan!” Taylor hissed, rushing over to her son.

The yoga pants she wore left little to the imagination, and Chance found himself appreciating her curves. But he also noticed how she positioned herself between him and her son, a protective gesture he had seen his sister-in-law Emily make countless times.

“I’m so sorry,” Taylor said, turning to Chance with Logan perched on her hip.

“No problem,” Chance replied, smiling kindly at her. “You’ve got a good aim, partner.”

“I not partner, I Logan,” Logan corrected him, frowning up at Chance.

Chance chuckled, his smile widening at the boy’s words. Taylor, however, took a small step back, her body language defensive and wary.

April laughed, taking the hat from Logan. “You’re sneaky. I already took this from you twice yesterday.”

Logan giggled as April ruffled his hair. The sound made Chance smile automatically, but it was the look of pure adoration on Taylor’s face that really got to him. He decided then and there that he wanted to get to know her better.

“We should get you dressed, little man,” Taylor said, tickling Logan before turning back to Chance. “It was nice to meet you, and I’m sorry again.”

Chance wished he could convince her that he didn’t mind. He had grown to love kids as his family expanded. They were honest and smarter than most people gave them credit for. And when Avrily came into his life, he realized that being a father was the most challenging and rewarding experience of his life.

“I’d like to talk some more, Taylor,” Chance said, knowing he had questions that needed answers.

Taylor nodded hesitantly before leaving the room without another word. Chance couldn’t help but watch her as she walked away, her hips swaying hypnotically. Suddenly, something hit his face, making him jump. He caught the hand towel before it hit the ground.

“Chance Jackson Davis!” April stood across the table, her hands on her hips. “You leave that poor girl alone. She has enough problems without being ogled like a piece of meat.”

Chance was taken aback by his soon-to-be sister-in-law’s words. “I wasn’t…”

“You were,” she snapped, sighing deeply. “It took a lot of persuasion to get her to agree to stay here. I don’t want you scaring her off with unwanted advances.”

“I won’t deny that I find her attractive, but I don’t see her as a conquest,” Chance admitted. “I want more than that now. Someone I can rely on, someone who would love Avrily. That little girl deserves it.”

“I want something like what all of my siblings have. I’ve seen real love,” Chance paused, meeting April’s gaze. “But April, I’ve only known her for a few minutes. I’m not about to pounce on her in the hallway.”

April nodded, her expression softening. “Okay. I’m sorry. I’m just worried about her.”

“So am I,” he admitted, his gaze drifting back to the direction Taylor had gone.