Rivals In Love (Love In Montana Book 4)

Georgia went home after visiting her parents. Her heart was heavy as a myriad of emotions flooded over her. Spending time with her parents who lay peacefully beside one another in death made her wish that they were alive and happy together. Her dad had neglected her mom all his life only to be united with her after her death. It was indeed sad that he never could make her feel loved and wanted while she was alive. 

Even after spending time with her parents after five years, Georgia couldn't erase images of Ryan's tortured face from her mind. Meeting Ryan suddenly and hearing his voice after five years made her heart and mind feel overwhelmed. His words gave her hope. He hadn't forgotten her! His tone felt as if he was hurting too just like she was. 

She walked to her little haven where she could be immersed in her own thoughts with no one to disturb her. Making a simple dinner, she ate all alone and went to bed. 

After two days, Brian was well and discharged from the hospital. Georgia had avoided meeting him ever since he had gained consciousness. Memories of his rude and unacceptable behavior were still raw in her mind. 

She worked at the dairy farm the whole day and returned to her humble place in the evening. The whole day, Greg was busy with the hospital formalities and didn't get time to check up with work. Taking  a refreshing shower, Georgia wore her pajamas which was a soft pair of cotton shorts and a baby pink matching camisole. Tying her long hair up in a bun, she went to the kitchen to make dinner. She had just finished making the beef stew when the doorbell rang. Thinking it to be Greg wanting an update on the day's work,  she unlocked the door absent-mindedly and turned to go back to the kitchen. 

"I'm sorry Greg, I came back without informing you. I know that I should have gone to the house to see Brian but I just couldn't do it tonight," she said over her shoulder. There was absolute silence as Greg didn't answer her. 

"You shouldn't open the door this way to anyone when you're living all alone, Georgia," said the familiar husky tone which she could recognize anytime and anywhere. It was the same voice which haunted her dreams every night. Georgia froze in her tracks, her heartbeats accelerating with apprehension. The distinct sound of the door clicking shut made her come to her senses. She whirled around and came face to face with Ryan Wilson. She had no idea when he had come up right behind her. Standing so close to the love of her life, all she wanted was to pull him into her arms and kiss him but sadly she couldn't after the way he had hurt her. 

"You? What are you doing here?" Was all she could come up with. Ryan just stared at her with a strange expression on his face, an expression filled with disbelief and admiration. 

"I came to apologize to you, Georgia," he whispered, his eyes reflecting a deep feeling of remorse. Georgia turned away from him, her trembling fingers gripping onto a chair for support. Tears filled her eyes. 

"I'm not in the mood to forgive, Ryan. You can't undo the hurt and the insult you inflicted upon me with just an apology," she told him, shaking her head. Ryan slowly walked up to her, his chest brushing her back. 

"I'll do anything you want me to do. Anything to make you forgive me, Georgia," he said, softly. 

"I can't forgive you, Ryan. You hurt me the most, " she said, moving away from him. She closed her eyes to get a grip over herself. Ryan followed her and caught her arm and whirled her around to face him.

"I won't stop till you forgive me, Georgia. For the last five years I've gone crazy for you. You just disappeared from my life without giving me a single chance to apologize for my stupidity. I thought that hurting you would undo the hurt that your brothers had caused to my family but I was so wrong. Seeing you hurt has hurt me so much that I'm like a corpse who needs closure. Please forgive me, Georgia, " he said, falling down onto his knees before her and covering his face as tears of repentance and remorse fell from his eyes. Georgia stood frozen hearing his words. 

She couldn't bear a grudge against him any longer. It seemed as if he had suffered enough. She held him by the shoulders and helped him stand up. "I forgive you, Ryan. I release you from guilt. Go and live a guilt-free life. I have nothing against you, " she told him. Ryan stared at her with disbelief. 

"Have you forgiven me?" He asked incredulously. 

Georgia nodded. "Yes," she whispered. 

"Thank you, Georgia, " said Ryan, staring into her eyes. He wanted to ask her so many questions but couldn't bring himself to utter a single word. They both stared at one another in a trance. Now that he got what he always wanted, her forgiveness and his closure, he realized that his heart wanted more of her. He wanted to taste her sweet lips and see whether she tasted the same as before. Georgia noticed where his glance fell upon and she turned around to go to the kitchen. She had given him his closure and now it was time to part ways with him. She wouldn't allow him to kiss her and then trample upon her feelings a second time. 

Ryan noticed her reticence and realized that she wasn't keen on talking to him any more. She actually wanted him to leave. "Thank you once again. I think it's time for me to go," said Ryan. Georgia nodded but didn't turn to look at him. Ryan felt hurt by her dismissal and reluctantly walked towards the door. Georgia still hadn't turned once to look at him. Ryan walked out into the cold night, with a heavier heart than before.

After he left, Georgia released the breath that she was holding and felt tears pricking at her eyes. She felt like her heart would break from the pain it was suffering from. Now that Ryan had his closure, would she never ever see him? Would he now freely move on leaving her behind? She burst into tears and slumped to the floor to weep her heart out. There was a remedy for everything but not a broken heart. 

A week passed by since Ryan spoke to Georgia. Everyday he  parked his car a little further away from her house and gazed at her but couldn't bring himself to go and talk to her. She made it clear the last time they met that she forgave him and didn't need him in her life any longer. He knew that he couldn't survive this way for long, he needed to talk to her but how? How could he talk to her when all she was concerned about was the farm. The whole day she spent at the farm. He knew that after the condition of the farm improved, she would surely return back to Wyoming. He had to talk to her one more time before that. 

He stared at her closed door as she just returned from the farm. She never spared him a single glance while he sat like a fool waiting for the day when she would at least give him some proof that she actually wanted to talk to him. Sighing, he started his car to go home. She wouldn't open her door till morning and there was no point in staying here any longer. However, just as he was about to pull out, an expensive looking car came to a stop right in front of her house. Ryan's interest was piqued. Who could it be in such a luxurious car? It was obvious that the car didn't belong to Fordsville else he would have surely seen it. Was it a guest of the landlord? In that case why would he park right in front of Georgia's entrance? 

A tall and tattooed guy of the same age as him climbed out of the car. Ryan's jaws dropped seeing him. Was he Georgia's boyfriend? The guy looked at Georgia's closed door and determinedly walked up to it. He rang the bell without delay. Ryan climbed out if his car too and tiptoed towards them, keeping himself well hidden.  He had to know who this guy was. His blood was already boiling with jealousy and an intense fury seeing the man. 

Georgia went to open the door hoping that it was Ryan at her doorstep but gasped seeing Wyatt standing there instead. "What are you doing here, Wyatt? Shouldn't you be in Laramie? Are you stalking me?" She asked in a displeased tone. 

Wyatt nodded. "Yes, I'm stalking you. I want to be friends with you but you just disappeared without giving me any answer," he complained. 

"Can't you accept no for an answer, Wyatt? I.don't.want.to.be.friends.with.you," said Georgia in a louder voice. 

"I love you God dammit, " said Wyatt impatiently. 

"That's your problem, Wyatt, " she pointed out. 

"I'm not going back without making you mine," said Wyatt with desperation. 

"In your dreams. You're welcome to stand here the whole night," said Georgia, trying to close the door but Wyatt was faster and stronger and he grasped her hand and stopped her from closing it. 

"Let go, Wyatt. I don't want anything to do with you, " she yelled. 

"I won't leave you till I make you mine," gritted Wyatt but a sudden punch on his face made him reel. Georgia looked up to see a fuming Ryan standing between her and Wyatt.