Only You (Love In Montana Book 6)

The boys returned proudly with their fresh catch and sat down to eat the the lunch that the girls had cooked. Renée served Sawyer and Rex their food and placed them in front of them. "You won't be eating with us?" Asked Sawyer.

"Ryder and I already ate," said Renée.

"You could have waited for me," said Sawyer with a grin. Renée rolled her eyes.

"Why should I? You still haven't answered me, " she shrugged and walked to a chair and sat down. Rihanna and Ryan too came with their food and sat down with them. The others sat at the sofa to eat.

"Where are we going after lunch?" Asked Ryder.  

"We'll tour the Clark Canyon reservoir, Lemhi pass and the Pioneer Mountains  Scenic Byway," informed Rhett. They finished lunch while discussing about the places that they could go to. At last they were all ready for their tour. Sawyer drove Renée, Ryder and Anastasia while Rex drove Rihanna and Ryan. Adelaide went with Rhett. Everyone gave them ample privacy since it was obvious that they had feelings for one another and needed to be left alone.

The whole time they enjoyed the sights and scenes and returned back to the cabin after a memorable and enjoyable trip. The sun was about to set and everyone was exhausted. They quickly freshened up. It was dark already and Adelaide and Rihanna set down to make dinner. They made a simple pan seared trout with garlic, lemon and parsley. They served it with couscous and a simple vegetable stir fry. Renée and Anastasia served the food while Adelaide sliced granny's plum cake into slices and served with the food. Everyone ravenously attacked the food. 

"You both should seriously start a restaurant. This is amazing, " said Sawyer, enjoying his meal.

"Can't you teach Renée to cook?" Sawyer asked Rihanna. 

"What's it to you? I'm clumsy in the kitchen. You don't need to eat what I make," said Renée glaring at Sawyer. The way he spoke as if he would marry her in the future!  

"No, you're not. I've seen you in the kitchen and I like everything that you make. So practice more and you will master the art of cooking, " said Sawyer. 

"Why don't you teach her yourself, Saw? You're far better at it than me," said Rihanna. 

"Looks like I have to do that," said Sawyer. Renée looked away. She was still pissed off at him with his contradictory statements

"I don't want to learn from you," she mumbled but Sawyer's face held a look of sheer determination. They all chatted with Anastasia and her family and Ryder listened intently at what she was saying.

The meal was over and they wrapped up the work and went to bed. Renée and Anastasia wanted to go outside to the scary vault toilet outside. "I could accompany you Ren," offered Sawyer with a smirk.

"No thank you, Sawyer. We can manage, " said Renée, declining his offer. Sawyer looked crestfallen at her words but didn't protest much. He sat on the porch watching out for grizzlies as the girls walked towards the toilet. Rihanna came to sit beside him.

"You really love her, don't you, Saw?" She asked him. Sawyer didn't know how to answer her although it was a simple question. His heart wanted to confess his true feelings for Renée but he was afraid. Afraid of what it would cause if the word spread around.

Sensing his dilemma, Rihanna sighed. "I swear that I'll keep this between us, Saw, trust me," said Rihanna. Sawyer nodded.

"Yes but Ren doesn't know about my feelings for her yet," said Sawyer, giving up.

Rihanna looked at him with surprise. "You didn't tell her yet?" She asked with disbelief. Sawyer sighed and shook his head.

"She's still a minor, Anna. Moreover, we don't have a future together, " said Sawyer, looking heartbroken.

"It's not an impossible thing, Saw. You're not related to Renée by blood. Also you're the best guy for her, our parents know that. No one can have an objection to your relationship, " said Rihanna.

Sawyer shook his head. "She deserves someone better than me, Anna. I can't betray the family and ask for Renée's hand. What if they object to our relationship and punish Renée instead? I can't do this to her," said Sawyer. Even Rihanna was worried hearing his dilemma.

"I don't know Saw but sometimes I get the feeling that aunt Kathy wants the two of you to be together, " said Rihanna. Sawyer gaped at her.

"You really think so? Even I had the feeling many times but then I thought that maybe I was imagining things because I want them to be so," said Sawyer. Rihanna nodded.

"Even granny wants you together, maybe. Look, Saw I'm nor sure but are you sure that Renée loves you? Did she tell you?" Asked Rihanna curiously.

"Yes, she told me many times but I'm giving her the time to grow up and get matured. Maybe she would see that this was all a foolish teenage crush! Maybe she would move on and find true love someday, " said Sawyer, his voice cracking with desperation.

"I don't think that's how it happens Saw. If she's loved you for a long time, maybe she can't love another. Tell me, can you forget Renée and love someone else and get married to her?" Asked Rihanna. Sawyer shook his head.

"No, I can't fall in love with anyone else. If it isn't Ren, then I'll never get married in this life," he said, releasing a haggard breath.

"Why don't you tell her how you feel about her?" Asked Rihanna.

"I will when she turns eighteen. If she still feels the same about me and if our parents don't have a problem with us being together, we could get engaged, " said Sawyer. Rihanna's words had made him hope for a future together with Renée. It was something he had never considered before.

"Yes, you shouldn't give up on the your love, so easily. At least try once," said Rihanna. They saw Renée and Anastasia walk towards them, holding hands and laughing with relief since they hadn't been attacked by any grizzlies.

"Woo hooo, we're safe," said Renée as they reached the other two. She looked at their serious faces.

"What are you two discussing?" She asked them, seeing the solemn look in their faces.

"Nothing important. C'mon all of you need to sleep," said Rihanna, going inside after Anastasia.

Sawyer caught Renée's hand stopping her from following Rihanna. "Are you avoiding me, Ren?" He asked, look hurt.

"No but I'm not very happy with you either, " she told him.

"Why?" He asked curiously.

"You're very contradicting Sawyer. Sometimes I feel that you care about me while at other times I feel that you don't. You confuse me," she told him.

"I do care about you Ren, more than anyone in the world," he said softly, pulling her into his arms.

"Yes, as a cousin, maybe, " she pointed out. Sawyer's hold on her tightened, his arms crushed her flush into his body. There was nothing cousin-like or brotherly in the way he held her.

"You aren't my cousin neither are you my sister, Ren. I care for you in a different way. Can't you feel it in my arms? Can't you feel how my heart beats for you?" He asked, his eyes piercing into hers. She was too dumbfounded to answer him. She could feel the heat of his body seeping through her dress. It made her skin cackle with a different kind of need. He lifted his hand and caressed her baby soft cheek.

"It's getting cold here. Let's go inside, " he said with a sigh, releasing her. Renée was disappointed. She had expected him to kiss her but he didn't. She stomped inside more confused than ever. Did he desire her? Did he love her or did he just care about her like a friend?

"Did he kiss you?" Whisper asked Anastasia when they lay down to sleep. She knew everything as Renée was quite close to her. Renée shook her head with disappointment.

"He only cares about me. I don't know what that means, " and shrugged, feeling frustrated and more mad at him.

"Try ignoring him for a few days. If he loves you, he'll be so frustrated that he would be compelled to confess to you," whispered Anastasia. Renée grinned at her, loving the idea.

"Thanks. I'll do just that," she agreed. They grinned devilishly and went to sleep. From tomorrow mission Ignore Sawyer would start till he went crazy and admitted his feelings for her.

Sawyer lay on his bed, deep in thought. Rihanna's words had made him excitednand hopeful. He looked at the silver pendant that he had been wearing since birth. It was the only thing that was on him when granddad Wilson found him on the banks of Bearhead Creek. It might have belonged to his mom. There was a strange falcon engraved upon it. What could it possibly mean? If his mom hadn't abandoned him, his life would have been so different. He wondered if he would have ever met Renée then. He wondered what pushed her to take up the extreme step of abandoning him. He went to sleep after pondering over these things for a long time.......