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Isobel stepped out of her car and headed toward the barn in search of Ryder. Harley's stall stood empty, prompting her to check the round pens. Ryder was nowhere in sight. Determined, Isobel began the climb up the hill behind the barn. As she reached the summit, a vast, green field unfolded before her eyes. Just over the ridge, she spotted Harley tied under a large shade tree.

The unusually warm weather and bright sunshine made Isobel squint as she approached Harley, using her hand to shield her eyes. Approaching Harley, movement to her right caught her eye. She moved through the brush and found Ryder, wearing only his Wranglers, boots, and hat, working on a fence repair.

Isobel halted and observed Ryder as he twisted a wire around a wooden post with practiced ease. Each movement showcased his flexing back muscles, causing Isobel's cheeks to flush. His tattoos were visible against his sun-tanned skin—a testament to hours spent shirtless under the sun.

Ryder turned slightly, revealing leather gloves and sunglasses. Isobel's gaze traveled down his body until she noticed he had stopped working and was grinning at her.

He tossed his fencing pliers to the ground and walked toward her, removing his gloves and shoving them into his back pocket.

Embarrassed from being caught staring, Isobel felt heat rising in her cheeks. She stepped out from the brush to meet Ryder halfway.

"Good morning, beautiful," he greeted, removing his hat and bending down for a kiss. "Sorry, I'm filthy." He then replaced his hat and pulled a red handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his forehead and face.

"No worries," she replied with a grin.

Ryder grinned back and turned toward the fence, saying, "I only have a couple more sections to repair before I'm done." He picked up his fencing pliers again and began splicing another section of wire.

"So what brings you out here this morning? I didn’t think I’d see you until after school," Ryder asked while working. He interlaced the two wire sections and began pulling them around the wooden post. As he strained every muscle in his arms, back, and abs became prominent as he secured the wire taut.

"I didn't want to go to school looking like this,” Isobel explained. “So I took today and tomorrow off to let the bruise lighten so I can cover it with makeup.”

Ryder turned with concern etched on his face. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. Just tired," she said, nodding. "I didn't feel like explaining what happened over and over again."

Ryder nodded sympathetically and turned back to the fence.

She examined his tattoos, noting the intricate details of the bull and rider. His shoulder bore scars from last year's surgery, alongside various other marks scattered across his back and side.

Ryder secured the wire to the fence post and then faced Isobel. Sweat trickled down his face and chest, making Isobel's heart flutter. He approached her, bent down to grab the water jug at her feet, and took a long drink.

Isobel felt her heart race as she gazed at Ryder's muscular chest, close enough to touch. She yearned to reach out but feared losing control. Keeping her vow to stay pure for her husband had been easy—until Ryder came along. Now, resisting his well-toned body became increasingly challenging with each move he made.

After finishing his drink, Ryder met Isobel's longing eyes and drew nearer. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against his sweaty body, and leaned in to capture her lips with his own.

As they kissed, Isobel tasted the salty sweat on Ryder’s lips. Her lips parted, letting his tongue brush gently against hers. She felt herself teetering on the brink of losing control, but Ryder maintained a gentle pace.

Pulling back slightly, he softly stroked her bruise with his thumb before planting a gentle kiss at the corner of her mouth.

"Want to ride back with me?"

"Sure."

Ryder packed his tools into Harley's saddlebag, mounted, and reached down to pull Isobel up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling the warmth of his skin against hers. She kissed the nape of his neck as he guided Harley towards the barn.

Her hands rested on his stomach as Ryder placed one hand over them. Feeling her lips on his neck made him close his eyes briefly, squeeze her hands, and draw a deep breath.

Isobel quickly stopped upon noticing Ryder's reaction. She sometimes forgot how much she affected him but knew when to pull back before things went too far.

She held onto him tightly, resting her head on his shoulder as they rode back to the barn. Once there, Ryder helped her down before dismounting himself. He removed Harley’s saddle and bridle and returned him to his stall. Retrieving his shirt from a hay bale inside the barn, he slipped it over his head.

"Come with me," Ryder said, taking her hand and leading her out of the barn. They headed towards another building that Isobel hadn't yet explored. Ryder grabbed the large door and slid it to the right, revealing a spacious interior housing a gleaming, red Massey Ferguson tractor.

"Want to help me with some chores?" Ryder asked with a grin as he opened the tractor's door.

Isobel just smiled and nodded.

Ryder climbed into the tractor and extended his hand to help Isobel up, showing her where to sit once she was inside.

He fired up the roaring machine, sending Isobel's heart racing with excitement. He lifted the front arms of the tractor, engaged the gears, and drove out of the barn at a steady pace.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Isobel watched, fascinated, as Ryder expertly maneuvered the levers to pick up large, round hay bales scattered across a pasture and transport them to another building near the barn.

"Want to drive?" Ryder asked, extending his arm behind Isobel and inviting her onto his lap.

"What? No. I can't drive this."

"Yes, you can. I'll help you. Come here." Ryder’s voice was gentle and encouraging. Isobel slid from her perch onto his lap. The tractor moved slowly across an empty field as Ryder guided her hands to the controls. "Take the steering wheel," he instructed, moving his hands to her hips. "This lever controls the speed. It's on high now; just use these buttons to adjust faster or slower." He demonstrated with his hand over hers before resting it back on her hip.

"There you go, you're driving a tractor."

A wide grin spread across Isobel's face as she steered along a path leading back to the barn. She increased speed and navigated around trees.

Ryder leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Having fun?"

"Yes! I love this," she exclaimed excitedly.

"Looks like I'll have a new farmhand soon," Ryder said warmly, wrapping his arms around her waist and squeezing gently before kissing her neck.

"Ryder, stop. I need to concentrate."

Ryder chuckled and leaned back in his seat, watching his future wife embrace country life.

Back at the barn, Ryder took over and expertly backed the tractor into its place. He opened the door for Isobel to climb out before following her down.

"Oh my goodness, that was a blast!" She leaped into Ryder's arms, encircling his neck with her arms and showering him with kisses.

Ryder stumbled back against the tractor tire, clutching her tightly. He ran his hands through her hair, pulling her in for a deeper kiss.

"Isobel, you drive me crazy in so many ways." Ryder clenched his fists and exhaled deeply. "Watching you handle that tractor...now that was something else."

"Was it really?" Isobel giggled as she backed out of the barn.

Ryder advanced towards her, and Isobel screamed playfully as she turned to run. But Ryder caught up to her in five strides, swept her off her feet, and spun her around. Isobel screamed and laughed until he set her down gently.

A sudden car door slam startled them both, and they turned to see who it was.

"Hello there, you two," Celeste greeted as she stepped out of her truck.

"Hey, Ma." Ryder slid his hand into Isobel's and walked towards the car. "What brings you here today?"

"Can't a mother visit her son?" She smiled at Isobel. "And daughter?"

"Of course, Mom." Ryder hugged her warmly.

"Hi, Isobel," Celeste said as she hugged Isobel next.

"Hello, Celeste. How are you?"

"I'm well." Celeste cupped Isobel's face in her hands. "How are you holding up, dear?"

"I'm okay."

"Ryder told me what happened. Are you sure you're alright?" Celeste examined the bruise on Isobel's face. "Oh, sweetie." She pulled Isobel back into a comforting hug, making Isobel's unspent tears resurface.

Celeste draped an arm over Isobel's shoulder and guided her to the porch chairs. Ryder followed closely behind them before disappearing into the house to fetch some water.

Celeste repositioned her chair to face Isobel directly and took her hands. "How are you really doing?"

Isobel shut her eyes, took a deep breath, opened them again and started. "I've had a few nightmares. I wake up screaming and then I'm just... there... alone. And then I can't get back to sleep."

"Isobel, maybe you should stay with someone for a bit."

"I don't want to be a burden on anyone."

"Isobel, you are not a burden. You have Rose, me, and Ryder. We all love you and we welcome you into our homes."

"What's happening?" Ryder asked as he approached, offering water to his mom and Isobel.

"Isobel needs a place to stay for a while."

Ryder knelt in front of Isobel, placing his hands on her knees. "I thought you said you were managing."

Isobel's eyes started to well up as she looked into Ryder's eyes. "Not at night."

"Why didn't you tell us, Isobel?"

"I didn't want to bother anyone."

"You are never a bother," Ryder said as he straightened up and embraced her, holding her tight as she cried. Ryder's grip tightened as her tears flowed, causing her to tremble. When her crying subsided, he gently pushed back her hair and wiped away her tears with his thumbs. "You are never a bother," he murmured again.

Isobel nodded, searching Ryder's eyes and finding his unwavering love for her. "Okay," she whispered hoarsely.

Ryder continued to wipe away the remnants of her tears before leaning in for a gentle kiss. "Are you alright?" he asked softly.

Isobel nodded, wiping her wet cheeks; her eyes were now red and puffy. "I need to go to the bathroom." She placed her water on the table.

Ryder stood and helped her up, their fingers lingering together until she walked away, his hand slowly sliding out of hers.

Ryder took the seat next to his mother. Once Isobel closed the bathroom door, he turned to Celeste. "She told me she was fine. She seemed fine."

Celeste placed a hand over his, "I know, Ryder. Don’t be hard on yourself. You weren’t aware."

Ryder nodded, staring at his dirt-encrusted boots.

"I’ve got a secret to share," Celeste went on.

Ryder looked up at his mother and nodded.

"Women tend to hide their feelings deep inside and we do it well. Sometimes you need to ask the right question more than once."

Ryder listened closely, nodding along with her words.

"If ever you suspect she's not telling you everything, just ask again. She'll open up eventually. Trust your instincts and your heart. Listen closely to her, Ryder. Like she mentioned, she didn't want to be a burden. So she might not reveal everything right away. But if you have even the slightest inkling that something is off...then ask."

"Alright, Mom." Ryder gently squeezed his mother's hand. "Thanks."

"You should check on her."

Ryder nodded, stood up, and went inside. He found Isobel in the small bathroom near the backdoor, dabbing cold water on her face with a hand towel. He entered through the open door and rubbed her arms gently.

"Are you okay?"

Isobel turned to face him, leaning back against the sink. "Yes, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You said you were alright earlier, but it's clear you're not." Ryder stepped closer and enveloped her in his arms. "I can't help if you don't talk to me, Isobel."

"I don't know if you can help with this, Ryder. I just need time to...get over it, I think."

"This isn't something you can just get over, Baby." Ryder placed a hand tenderly on her neck. "I love you, Isobel. Please let me help."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded. "Okay."

"Stay with me tonight. You can have my room; I'll take the guest room."

Isobel forced a smile. "Okay."

They stepped outside again just as Celeste approached.

"I need to get home," she said, hugging Isobel once more and whispering in her ear, "You don't always have to be strong, Isobel. Don't hesitate to ask for help."

Isobel nodded and smiled softly. "Thanks for everything, Celeste."

Ryder kept an arm around Isobel as they watched his mother walk back to her truck and drive off into the trees.

"Want to go grab some things from your place?" Ryder asked as he turned to face Isobel and held both of her hands.

"Yes." She reached up on her toes and kissed him.

Ryder drove her to her home and waited as she packed a small bag. He carried it out to the truck and held the door open for her as she slid over to the middle of the seat.

"Feel like doing something before heading back home?" Ryder's heart raced at the thought of his house becoming their home.

"What were your plans today before I showed up and ruined them?"

Ryder turned towards her, cupping her face in his hands. "You didn't ruin anything. You made my day a lot better." He kissed her softly on the lips. "Plus, you helped me with the tractor," he grinned, dimples showing.

"Sorry, that was a poor choice of words. Do you have more work at the ranch?"

"Well, I had planned to work with a couple of horses and do some mowing."

"Alright then, let's get to it. I can't help with the horses, but I can definitely mow."

"Great. Let's head home." Ryder's smile widened at the thought.

Isobel's grin also deepened, feeling touched that Ryder already thought of it as their home.