Rivals In Love (Love In Montana Book 4)

Ryan drove home with a heavy heart. He had expected Georgia to run after him and stop him from leaving. His heart had wanted her to do that but she didn't react at all to the news that he was leaving forever. It only proved one thing. She didn't love him at all. His was an unrequited love and he had to learn to live with it all his life.

Nearly three weeks back when Russell had called him to inform him that there was a job opening as a Chief Dietitian at Glenbrook, he had jumped at the opportunity and applied for it. He hated the monotonous work at the ranch and dairy farm at home which his mom had been expertly handling for the last thirty years. He wanted a challenging job and when Russell pushed his application since he was friends with the owners, Ryan easily got the job. 

However, Sawyer returned the next day and after a fe days he patched up with Renée and announced their wedding plans. He didn't wish to leave anymore. Even after gaining her forgiveness, his mind was in a turmoil. He wanted more of her. He wanted to resume where they had left off five years back. He wanted a stable and forever kind of relationship with her. For days he stalked her but couldn't tell her about his feelings for her. He couldn't tell her what his heart wanted. 

Finally when he did, she rejected him outright. He would have stayed back in Fordsville forever for her if only she had accepted him in her life. He would have declined the job too for her. He could live without the job but he couldn't live without Georgia. 

Ryan sighed as he parked his car at Wildcreek Ranch. Everything was over before it had even started. Every hope was crushed. She didn't love him. His flight was tomorrow and he would be going away forever with a heavy heart and a dejected soul. 

"What happened, Ryan? Did you tell Georgia how you feel about her?" Asked a concerned Rihanna. Ryan dragged himself to his room. 

"Yes I told her. She doesn't want me. She declined," said Ryan, as a tear fell from his eye. Rihanna hugged her brother. What could she say? She had prayed for him but it seemed God doesn't listen to everyone. Tomorrow he would go away and they would miss him like they missed Russell, Rowland and River after they left. 

Ryder too walked into his room with a heavy heart. "I might too come down and settle down there," said Ryder, sitting down beside his twin. Ryan smiled sadly. 

"You're always welcome bro. C'mon stop sulking and help me pack up," he said, getting up reluctantly. 

"Can't you stay and try to win her over, Ryan?" Asked Rihanna. Ryan shook his head. He didn't wish to impose upon her. He didn't want to be another Wyatt in her life. He wanted her to love him and come to him of her own free will. 

"You can't force someone to love you, Anna, " he said in a hurt tone. They dropped the topic and when Rex, Rhett and his wife Adelaide joined them, they all tried to cheer him up by talking about the food and attractions that Las Vegas had to offer. Two weeks back Rhett and Adelaide got married when she came back from New York forever. They had been blissfully happy since then. Everyone was glad to see them happy at last since Rhett had suffered a lot in Adelaide's absence. 

"You'll forget us in a month," said Rihanna, smiling sadly. 

Ryan shook his head. "No, I'll come down to attend yours, Rex's and Ryder's wedding," he smiled. Ryder laughed sarcastically. 

"Which means never since none of us are marrying, " he said. Rex nodded in agreement and so did Rihanna. "Like ever," added Ryder, lowering his eyes to hide his feelings and concentrating on his packing. Ryan didn't argue further. They all were in the same boat as he was except Rihanna of course who didn't have anyone in her life yet.

Dinner was a very emotional affair as parents, grandparents and uncles and aunts spoke all at once, trying to hide the truth that they were all heartbroken to see another one of their children leaving home. "If you ever feel sick, call your brothers, Ryan. They'll take care of you," said aunt Kathy. Ryan nodded.

"Don't overwork yourself, son, " advised his mom. Ryan nodded, looking up at her sad and concerned face. 

"I won't. Don't worry, mom," he said to put her at rest. 

"Don't skip your meals, " said his granny and he again nodded.  

"Keep us updated. Just don't disappear on us," said his dad and he nodded. 

"You know that you can always come back here if you don't like the job. Right?" Asked his granddad. 

"Yes, granddad, I will," promised Ryan. 

The next morning at 9 o'clock Ryan left for Las Vegas after waiting all morning for Georgia. She hadn't come to ask him to stay. His throat was choked with pent up emotions as he tried hard not to cry. "Goodbye Georgia!" He said, closing his eyes as the flight took off. 

Georgia woke up early but before she could leave for Wildcreek Ranch to talk to Ryan, her doorbell rang. Thinking it to be Ryan, she rushed to open the door but was disappointed to see Greg and Brian standing at her doorstep instead. She left the door open for them and turned away to go inside.

"What's up, Greg? What do you want?" She asked, avoiding to look at Brian. She couldn't forgive him if he had come for that. 

"Brian wanted to talk to you. You wouldn't come to the house so he insisted that I bring you here," said Greg. 

"There's nothing to talk about," said Georgia, hervface devoid of any emotions.

"There is. I wanted to apologize to you for everything that I've done to you. Since childhood I've got away with everything. Dad gave me all the liberties in the world and it got to my head. I forgot to differentiate between the right and the wrong. I grew up into a monster. I treated my parents and my only sister so badly that I lost them forever. But after everything that has happened, I have learnt my lesson, Georgia. I really have learnt it the hard way and I want to say how sorry I really am. Can you please forgive me? " he said, nearly begging her for her forgiveness. 

"I know that you might have learnt your lesson Brain but it doesn't undo the pain that you have inflicted upon me for nineteen years of my life. I can't forget that so easily. It's easy for you to just say sorry but I can't forgive you just like that. You broke my heart, my soul, my life, my future, my identity, my feelings, my self-respect, my hope of finding love. I can't forgive you, Brian, " she said, turning away from him. 

Brian hung his head with shame. "I want to make it up to you. Since you invested all your share of the money into the business, I want to extend the partnership to you also," said Brian. Georgia shook her head.

"No Brian. You and Greg tortured dad to sign the business to you, remember? I don't want anything to do with it. As for the money, I just saved dad's dream and hard work from the brink of bankruptcy. I don't expect anything from you," she told him. Greg shook his head slowly. 

"Come home, Georgia. You know we want you to stay with us like we used to," he said, softly. 

"No, Greg. I'm fine here. I have my peace of mind. Anyway, the farm has been doing better and soon it wouldn't need me any more. I'd be free to return home to Laramie," she said.

"Why can't you stay here in Fordsville with us? This has always been our home, " said Brian, looking tired.

"Not for me. I've already decided and I won't change my mind," she told them. 

"Fine, do what makes you happy, " said Brian. Then he turned to go away but stopped near the door.

"Do you love Ryan Wilson, Georgia?" He asked softly, turning to see her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Georgia slowly shook her head. She would bury her feelings in her head forever. He was going away forever after all!

"I just wanted you to know that I don't have any objections if you do," said Brian, turning and walking out of the door, leaving her gaping after him. Did he really say that? Greg's eyes widened as he ran after his brother. He didn't say a word to her on the disputable topic. Of course, if Brian had no problem with that, what problems could he possibly have? Nothing! Georgia was free to live whomever she wanted. 

After they left, Georgia sat down to rethink what Brian had said just now. Did he know that she loved Ryan? Did he really mean what he said?