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Ryder reclined into the chair, letting his muscles unwind. For the first time since stepping outside, he could truly take in the breathtaking scenery before him. His gaze traveled to the ocean, where a sailboat glided in the distance. "You have the most spectacular view out here."
"Thank you, Ryder." Grace said with a warm smile. "We adore it here. Have you ever been to the east coast before?"
"No ma'am. I've journeyed a lot but never ventured this far east."
Thomas had been silent for a while, quietly observing Ryder as he conversed with Grace.
"Ryder," Thomas finally interjected. "Can you explain why you believe you're in love with our daughter?"
"Isobel is the most wonderful person I have ever met. She is selfless, caring, and generous. She inspires me to be a better man. She challenges me, supports me, and makes me laugh. And I intend to do the same for her."
Seeing Ryder's genuine affection for his daughter, Thomas began to soften his stance on him. "She is all of those qualities and more."
"Yes, sir. She is indeed more."
Ryder and the Wrights spent over an hour together; delving into Ryder's childhood, his rodeo career, and his ranch life. They exchanged stories about Isobel, some of which were new to Ryder, and laid plans for their trip to Georgia.
They savored a delicious meal of fresh seafood and vegetables on the deck while continuing their lively discussion about Ryder's horse training techniques and Isobel's passion for art.
"I take it you folks have traveled quite a bit," Ryder remarked.
"We have somewhat," Thomas replied. "We've visited Priscilla in London and made trips to Italy twice for business—fortunate enough to bring the family along,"
"And Paris?"
"No," Grace answered this time, "We've never been to Paris."
"Oh, so I guess Isobel went there alone or with friends?"
"No," Grace said gently, "Isobel has never been to Paris either."
"But her paintings, she had several of the Eiffel Tower."
"Oh, yes. She's always dreamed of visiting, but our travels always led us elsewhere. When we finally planned a trip to Paris, Fancy's wedding took precedence, and we never made it."
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Oh, I see. I just assumed she'd been."
"Her paintings are truly magnificent, aren't they?"
"Yes, they are." Ryder glanced at his watch and realized the time. "I should head out. I came straight from the airport and need to check in at my hotel."
"Which hotel are you staying at, Ryder?"
"The Great Island Inn."
"That's an excellent choice. It's where I book accommodation for my clients from out of town," Thomas noted as he stood and pushed his chair back from the table. "Let me walk you to the door."
"It was lovely meeting you, Ryder," Grace said, rising to hug him farewell as she walked around the table.
"Lovely meeting you too, Grace."
Ryder followed Thomas through the exquisitely decorated home. Thomas opened the door and accompanied Ryder outside, closing it behind them.
"Ryder, you seem like a wonderful young man. It's clear that you truly love Isobel. However, having only known her for a few months, I'm sure you understand our concerns."
"Yes, sir. I do understand."
"Allow Grace and me to discuss things this evening." Thomas extended his hand for a handshake. "It was very nice meeting you, Ryder. We'll see you in the morning."
Ryder shook his hand and walked to his car as his heartbeat began to slow for the first time since his arrival. He took a deep breath, shifted into gear, drove around the circular driveway, and pulled out onto the street.
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Ryder jolted awake to the abrupt sound of his phone ringing. Groggily, he sat up and reached for it, only to fumble and drop it onto the floor. Scrambling to pick it up, he saw Bella Rose’s name flashing on the screen.
“Rose, why are you calling at this hour?” he asked groggily.
“How did it go, Ryder? I couldn't wait any longer,” she responded eagerly.
“Do you have any idea what time it is?”
“No, not really. Why? Is it early?”
Ryder glanced at his phone before bringing it back to his ear. “It’s 5:18 a.m.”
“Oh, sorry! I couldn’t sleep and I haven’t heard from you yet. The suspense was killing me. So, how did it go?”
“I’m not sure yet. Dinner was nice and we talked for a while. But Thomas said he needed time to think and discuss with Grace. I’m heading back over there this morning.”
“Well, that’s better than a ‘no,’” Bella Rose said encouragingly.
“I guess so,” Ryder yawned. “I need to get some more sleep; didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Oh, of course! Sorry for waking you. Good night... or good morning,” Bella Rose giggled.
“Bye, Rose,” Ryder mumbled before ending the call.
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Isobel lay on her side, her head nestled on the pillow and facing Ryder. He gazed into her blue eyes, absorbing every tiny golden fleck, the dark blue ring that framed them, and the multitude of blue shades that captivated him each time he looked at her. Her stunning brown hair, streaked with auburn, cascaded over her shoulders and flowed down her back. Ryder gently reached up, his fingers tracing the outline of her face, from her jawline to her lips. Just as he leaned in for a kiss, Ryder's alarm jolted him back to reality.
Two hours had slipped by since Bella Rose's call, and Ryder had drifted back into a deep sleep. He slapped at his phone, fumbling to hit the right spot on the screen to silence the alarm, finally succeeding on the third attempt. Frustration surged through him as he smacked his hands against the bed, annoyed by the timing of the alarm. With a heavy sigh, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat up.
Getting to his feet, he walked straight to the bathroom and stepped into a much-needed cold shower.