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Isobel parked her car beside Ryder's barn. As she stepped out, she noticed him lounging in the doorway with Harley. Clad in a long-sleeved, black button-up shirt and wearing a crooked grin, Ryder's gaze met hers.

She approached him with a smile. "What have you got planned, Ryder?" she asked once she was standing before him.

"We're going for a ride," Ryder said, leaning down to kiss her. "Are you ready?"

Isobel scanned the area, noting that only Harley was present and not saddled. "I'm ready, but you don't look prepared."

Ryder flashed a confident smile, dimples showing. "I'm ready," he assured.

Isobel tilted her head with curiosity. "But there's only one horse here, and he isn't even saddled."

"Come with me," Ryder said, taking her hand and leading Harley into the grassy field. "Wait here," he instructed as he positioned himself by Harley. With one hand on the horse’s neck and the other on its hip, he effortlessly mounted Harley and extended his hand to Isobel.

"What's this?" she asked.

"Come here."

Isobel moved next to Harley and reached up. He grasped her wrist firmly and pulled her up behind him. She swung her leg over Harley's back and wrapped her arms around Ryder's waist tightly.

Ryder smiled and placed his hand over hers. Turning slightly to glimpse at her, he said, "You look beautiful."

Dressed in jeans, new boots, and a black, white, and red plaid shirt with cap sleeves and an open neckline, Isobel beamed at the compliment.

"Thank you, Ryder. You look great too."

With a gentle nudge to Harley’s sides, Ryder began guiding them around the property’s perimeter. He took Isobel to parts of the ranch she had never explored—where a picturesque stream wove along the eastern edge flanked by wild bluebells and purple flox.

Isobel rested her head against Ryder’s shoulder blade, tightening her grip around his waist. Ryder’s hand slid down her forearm in a warm squeeze.

"It’s so beautiful out here, Ryder."

The sun hung low in the sky just before dusk; golds and oranges began blending into blues for a stunning sunset.

They entered a dense grove of trees which Harley navigated with ease. Emerging into an open field with an old barn at its far side, Isobel gasped.

"Oh, Ryder. That barn is beautiful."

"It belonged to my father. I never ventured back here until last week while riding Harley at sunset. I thought you'd appreciate it."

"Oh, I do, Ryder. It's gorgeous."

Ryder guided Harley closer to the barn before halting gracefully.

"Take my arm and slide down," he said as he steadied her descent to the ground before dismounting beside her.

He nervously ran his hands along her arms, locking eyes with her blue ones. Ryder gently took Isobel's hands and turned her to face the sprawling pasture before them.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Isobel, you've transformed my life. You saw beyond the facade I'd built over these years. You recognized the real me beneath it all." Ryder's heart pounded and his palms grew sweaty against Isobel's hands.

Her heart matched his fervor, tears forming in her eyes.

"I love you deeply, Isobel. I want to give you everything the world has to offer if you'll let me." Ryder dropped to one knee, pulling a small blue velvet box from his Wrangler jeans. He opened it with one hand while still holding hers with the other. "Isobel Nicole Wright, will you marry me?"

Tears spilled down Isobel's cheeks as she nodded, "Yes," her voice cracking with emotion. "Of course I will."

Ryder slid the ring onto her finger and stood up, cupping her face as he kissed her deeply and passionately. He wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around in joy.

As he set her back down, a burst of cheers, whistles, and claps exploded behind them. Isobel turned to see her parents, Celeste and Terry, along with Ryder’s family, Wren, Bella Rose, some families from calf branding day, and even a couple of teacher friends from school all cheering for them.

Grinning through her tears, Isobel looked at Ryder with eyes full of love.

Thomas and Grace approached them; Grace hugged her daughter tightly, tears on her own cheeks.

Thomas shook Ryder's hand firmly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Congratulations, Ryder."

"What are you all doing here?" Isobel asked through her sobs as she hugged her father tightly.

"This young man made it happen."

Isobel looked at Ryder in confusion.

"Remember when I was away for two days last week?"

She nodded.

"I flew to New Hampshire to meet your parents and ask for their blessing to marry you."

Her subdued tears surged back as she leapt into Ryder's arms, clutching him tightly around the neck.

The gathering crowd swarmed them with hugs, handshakes, and pats on the back full of congratulations.

As things calmed down a bit, Thomas pulled Isobel aside for a private moment. "He's a fine young man who loves you very much."

"I know, Daddy." She smiled as she hugged him again.

With the sun setting in an explosion of colors across the sky, Terry and Wren swung open the barn doors wider to reveal hundreds of tiny round lights strung across beams and tables draped in lace tablecloths.

"What is all this?" Isobel asked Ryder while clutching his hand tightly.

"I thought it would be perfect to have another fireside gathering since everyone’s here."

Right on cue, someone kindled a small bonfire just outside the barn door.

The barn buzzed with chatter and laughter as everyone enjoyed pulled pork, cowboy beans, potato salad, and more desserts than anyone could possibly eat.

Isobel stood back, savoring a cupcake, her eyes absorbing the lively scene. She spotted her mother and father sharing laughter with Celeste, which warmed her heart. In another corner, her school friends were chatting with a few single cowboys, and Isobel couldn't help but grin.

Ryder approached from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist. He trailed light kisses from her neck to her ear and murmured, "I love you so much. I can't wait to be your husband."

Setting her cupcake aside, Isobel turned to face him. "And I can't wait to be your wife."

Rising on her toes, she kissed Ryder deeply. Their lips melded together as Isobel's hand gripped the back of his head, pulling him closer for an intimate dance of tongues that only they could hear.

They eventually parted for air.

"I love you, Ryder."

Ryder kissed her nose softly before she turned back in his embrace, leaning into him as they watched the joyous gathering. She extended her left hand to admire the stunning ring symbolizing their future—a central 1-karat diamond flanked by two ¼ karat diamonds and smaller ones set into the band halfway down each side.

"This is gorgeous, Ryder."

"I'm glad you like it." He kissed her cheek.

"You really have great taste."

"Of course, I chose you, didn't I?" Ryder teased. "And Rose helped."

"She knew about all this?" Isobel asked, turning to him in surprise.

"Yes. She helped me get your parents' contact info and went ring shopping with me."

"I can't believe you did all this."

"I'd do anything for you, Isobel." He kissed her again tenderly, cupping her face in his hands.

Both their hearts pounded with an electric mix of love and desire growing between them.

After a deep breath and locking eyes with hers, Ryder said, "We need to get married... soon."

Blushing and giggling, Isobel stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, "I agree."

Ryder lifted her off the ground in a playful embrace. She squealed and buried her face in his chest.

Terry approached with a smile. "Are you ready, Ryder?"

"Yep, I'll be right there."

"Ready for what?" Isobel asked curiously.

"Come see." Ryder took her hand and led her to a fire surrounded by logs, stumps, and hay bales for guests to sit on. "Sit here," he pointed to a hay bale. "I'll be right back."