Chapter 36

Isobel perched anxiously on the couch, phone pressed to her ear, counting each ring as she waited for her mother to answer.

"Hello?" Grace finally answered after five agonizing rings.

"Hi, mom. How are you?"

"Oh, Isobel. Hi. I'm well, how about you, dear?"

"I'm good, mom. Is daddy around?"

"Yes, he's somewhere here."

"Could you get him on the line too?"

"Is everything okay, Isobel?"

"Yes, I just have some news and wanted to share it with both of you together."

"Alright, honey. Hold on while I go find him."

Isobel heard her mother place the phone down. She wiped her sweaty palms against her jeans in an effort to dry them. What seemed like an eternity but was less than a minute later, her father picked up the other line.

"Good morning, Isobel."

"Hi, daddy."

"Your mother is coming back to the phone. She mentioned you have some news for us?"

"Hi, Isobel. I'm back," Grace said as she returned.

"So, what's up?" Thomas asked.

"I have some exciting news," Isobel cleared her throat, wishing she had a glass of water handy. "I've met someone."

"Oh, Isobel. That's wonderful!" Grace exclaimed. "What's his name?"

"His name is Ryder Hayes. He lives nearby on a ranch."

"A ranch?" Thomas inquired. "What does this young man do?" He sensed from her nervous tone that this was important and there was more she wasn't saying.

"He trains horses and helps his mother with their cattle ranch."

"Interesting," Grace commented.

"And is that all he does?" Thomas probed further.

"Well... he's also a bull rider."

"What?" Thomas exclaimed in disbelief. "Why would you want to be with someone who constantly risks his life? Don't you know how dangerous that is?"

"Daddy, I do." The shakiness vanished from Isobel's voice as she replied confidently. "I understand the dangers very well. But Ryder is a wonderful man—kind and loving—and comes from a great family."

"So you've met his family?" Grace asked.

"Yes, they all live on the ranch together."

"You mentioned he helps his mother with the ranch; where's his father? Did he abandon them?"

"Daddy," Isobel responded sternly, "Ryder's father passed away."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Thomas paused briefly before continuing. "What happened?"

Isobel swallowed hard before answering. "He was also a bull rider and died during a rodeo."

"Isobel," Thomas began softly but firmly, "why would you want to be with someone knowing what could happen to him too?"

"Dad," Isobel said resolutely, "any one of us could die at any moment. Are we supposed to stop living our lives out of fear?"

Thomas remained silent.

"I'm fully aware of the risks associated with bull riding. I've witnessed firsthand the impact it can have on a person."

"What do you mean?" Grace inquired.

Isobel wished she hadn't blurted out that last comment, but it was too late. "Ryder struggled deeply with his father's death. He was barely eighteen when it happened, and they were very close. As I mentioned before, he's a good man."

"How long have you known him, Isobel?" Grace pressed.

"Just over three months."

"And this is the first we're hearing about him? That means you were seeing him during Father's Day," Thomas pointed out.

"There wasn't much to share at that point, Daddy. We weren't really dating then."

"Do you love him?" Grace asked.

"Yes, Mom, I do. Very much."

"So, when do we get to meet this gentleman?" Thomas questioned.

"Daddy, he's a man, not a boy. And I would love for you and Mom to visit Georgia. You've never been here, and I've always wanted to show you its beauty."

"Alright, Isobel. Your mom and I will discuss it and let you know."

"Okay, Dad. Thank you."

"So, aside from this m...man, what else is new in your life?"

Isobel chatted with her parents for another thirty minutes before they ended the call. She placed the phone down on her coffee table, stared at it briefly, then picked it back up and dialed her sister's number to recount their conversation.

"How have your past two weeks been, Ryder?" Dr. Marie Brown inquired.

"They've been fantastic."

"That's wonderful to hear. How are the rodeos treating you?"

"I'm finally back in top form; I've been securing first or second place finishes."

"That's excellent, Ryder. You sound really positive."

"I feel great. That burden you mentioned some time ago has completely lifted."

"Fantastic, Ryder. And how are things progressing with Isobel?"

"Perfect. I finally told her that I love her. I'd never said that to anyone before, except my family."

"And does she return your feelings?"

"Yes, she does." Ryder grinned and reclined in his seat.

"It sounds like all your hard work is really paying off, Ryder."

"It sure has. And thank you for always being straightforward with me, holding nothing back."

"It's part of my job to be honest and direct, Ryder." Dr. Brown smiled.

Ryder returned to the table balancing a beer for himself and a strawberry daiquiri for Isobel. He pulled his chair closer, settling right beside her.

"When are Rose and Wren supposed to arrive?" he inquired.

Isobel checked her watch and replied, "Any minute now." She sipped her drink, then placed it on the table.

Ryder took a small swig of his beer before setting it next to Isobel's drink. Rising from his seat, he extended his hand to her. "Care for a dance?"

Isobel's face lit up with a smile as she slipped her hand into his and stood. Ryder guided her to the dance floor, twirled her around, and drew her close.

She giggled in surprise at the move, then gazed up into his eyes as they swayed together to "I Melt" by Rascal Flatts.

Ryder pressed his hand against the small of her back, pulling her tight against him while his other hand held hers against his chest. He lowered his head to capture her lips with his own, tasting a hint of her fruity drink on them. He knew he could never get enough of kissing this woman.

He moved his head beside hers and softly sang into her ear.

"I melt

Every time you look at me that way

It never fails

Anytime, any place

This burn in me is the coolest thing

I've ever felt."

They swayed gently, barely moving their feet, letting their love guide them. Ryder kissed her cheek and continued singing softly.

"What's even better is

Knowing that forever

You're all mine

The closer you get

The more my body aches

One little stare from you is all it takes

I melt

Every time you look at me that way."

As the song ended, Ryder cupped her face in his hands and kissed her tenderly and lovingly.

Returning to their table, they found Wren and Bella Rose waiting for them. Rose fanned herself dramatically with one hand, eyes wide and mouth shaped like an 'O'.

"You two are going to set this place on fire if you don't cool it," she teased.

The group spent the evening dancing and laughing. After finishing his first beer, Ryder switched to water for the rest of the night. Wren noticed this and joined him after just two beers. Ryder couldn't recall the last time he'd laughed so much; Wren and Bella Rose kept them in stitches all evening long.

Before departing the parking lot to take Isobel home, Ryder opened the center console and lightly tapped the seat beside him, signaling that she could scoot over if she wished. Isobel promptly unbuckled her seatbelt, slid over next to Ryder, and secured the belt across her lap once more. Maneuvering the massive truck onto the road, Ryder gently placed his hand on her knee.

Upon reaching Isobel's house, she exited the truck from Ryder's side, and he courteously accompanied her to her doorstep.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Ryder inquired.

"I'm attending church in the morning. After that, Rose and I are planning to have lunch and get our nails done," Isobel replied.

"Sounds like a fantastic girls' day out." Ryder leaned in for a lingering kiss. "Give me a call when you're finished?"

"Absolutely. Goodnight, Ryder."

"Goodnight, beautiful," he said with a warm smile that highlighted his dimples, before walking back to his truck.