Stay (Love In Montana Book 5)

Chapter Seven

Anastasia stared at Ryder and then at the nuggets. Should she kiss him for the treats? Well, a peck on the cheek would do no harm! Would it? Ryder watched her and then seeing the hesitation in her eyes, popped a nugget into his mouth and chewed. 

“Delicious! And all mine!” He said with a deep smirk on his face. Anastasia couldn’t stay back any longer, her stomach was killing her and the delicious looking chicken nuggets didn’t help either. She reached forward and quickly pecked his cheek but Ryder’s reflex action seemed to be faster that she had anticipated. He quickly turned his face and the kids landed at the corner of his mouth. Embarrassed beyond words, Anastasia pulled away and tried to calm her trembling body and rapidly beating heart that was threatening to jump out of its ribcage. 

“Now it’s mine as well. I gave you what you asked for,” she said in a shy voice. Ryder grinned and handed the pack over to her. Anastasia’s face brightened up and she popped one into her mouth, closing her eyes and savoring the delicious treat. Ryder watched her mesmerized by her. His glance went towards her soft lips which made his heart skip a beat or two. He had kissed many girls but never did his heart jump with excitement that too at something as innocent as a peck on the cheek.  Her lips were a tease and made him crave for more. Anastasia blushed under his scrutiny. Why was Blue staring at her? Was she eating like a monster? She looked at him just in time to see him looking away. 

“We can share this. I have muffins in my backpack. Could you please get it?” she asked hesitantly. Ryder nodded and got up to get her backpack. He came back in a minute and handed it to her. Then he sat down to share the treats with her. 

“I have a big match next weekend. I shouldn’t be eating so much sweet treats,” said Ryder, popping the third chocolate muffin into his mouth. “But this is too delicious to resist,” he said. 

“I made them,” she said shyly making Ryder give her a look of disbelief. “My grandparents run a bakery and I usually make these treats for the shop,” informed Anastasia. 

“You’re a pro at this! So do you wish to own a bakery shop some day?” He asked curiously. 

“No, no, I’ll be a Fashion Designer,” she told him quickly but her eyes lost the luster as she said so. It made Ryder think for a moment that she didn’t want to be a Fashion Designer. Then why was she choosing a career she didn’t want? “What do you want to do after completing your studies? You’re in finance, right?” asked Anastasia to stop him from asking further questions. 

“How do you know that I’m studying Finance?” asked Ryder curiously. 
“Renée told me,” said Anastasia shyly. 

“Don’t you have anything else to talk about?” asked Ryder with a deep smirk on his face. “I could tell you more about myself if you’re interested,” he said leaning forward. Anastasia moved backwards with horror. Was he thinking of kissing her? 

“I’m not interested to know more about you. Renée talks about you and keeps warning me,” she said, staring at her food to avoid his gaze. 

“But I’m interested to know more about you,” said Ryder with a wink. Anastasia looked away not wanting to share anything more than she already did. Apart from Renée, no one knew so much about her. In fact Renée too didn’t know everything about her. She kept all her secrets deeply hidden in her soul. 

“There’s nothing to know about me. You were right about me. I’m boring,” she said quietly. Ryder noted the change in her tone, as if she was going back to a shell. Maybe she really wasn’t comfortable talking about herself.  

“At least you could tell me where you’re studying,” asked Ryder. 

“I’m just doing a crash course on Fashion Styling and Image consultancy in Great Falls,” said Anastasia. 

“Won’t you do your graduation?” Asked Ryder curiously. Anastasia looked a little uncomfortable. 

“I’ve applied at places. I still haven’t got through,” she lied. 

“Do you wish to get admitted to our college? The sessions have started everywhere. If you delay this, you’ll miss a year,” said Ryder. Didn’t her parents care that she hadn’t taken admission anywhere? Even if she was adopted, didn’t they care for her at all? 

“Don’t worry, I will,” lied Anastasia. She didn’t tell him that her parents had taken admission for her at the best Fashion Designing college of Las Vegas. She hated the city and her family and had been delaying going there faking health issues. She knew that once she went there, she wouldn’t be able to come back to this lazy town of Fordsville. The fast life and the rigorous studies would start immediately. 

“I think Ryan, Rhett and Adelaide are returning with a big catch,” said Ryder, watching out into the lake water. Anastasia too peeped at the direction he was looking and saw that they were indeed coming back. Ryder got up to go and help them. Soon the rest of the family also returned. They cooked the fish and enjoyed a rustic lunch. After resting a little they packed up the tent and enjoyed the views a little. Ryder didn’t get a chance to talk to Anastasia again as Renée hardly left her side. However he was excited to note the glances she threw at him every now and then. 

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 mouth-watering dinner. 

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

"I could kiss the hands of the main cook," said Rex with a wicked grin, looking at Adelaide. 

"We both contributed equally, okay?" Said Adelaide. Rhett went all protective of Adelaide, warding off Rhett. All of them teased him. Renée admitted to her pack of culinary skills. 

"I love cooking but I hardly get a chance with our housekeeper doing all the cooking. Now that I'm at granny's house, I'm trying my hand at cooking," said Anastasia. 

"Where do your parents live?" Asked Ryan. 

"Las Vegas. Dad's an architect and working for a multinational company based in California. They have outlets all over the world. Dad's working at their Las Vegas branch, " said Anastasia. "My mom is a fashion designer, based in Las Vegas,” she added giving Ryder a look. Ryder noted that she didn’t once mention that she was adopted. He listened with intent to whatever she said. He was eager to know everything about her. 

"Will you go back to your parents after you graduate from school?" Asked Rex. Anastasia nodded.

"Yes, I would have to. They want me to pursue my graduation there. I’m just delaying it," she told them. Ryder's face fell at the information. He had no idea that she would ultimately leave Montana forever. The rest of the meal, Ryder didn't talk much, a strange disappointment spread all over his mind. He had no idea why he felt so depressed. Anastasia was after all Renée’s friend. She didn’t mean anything to him. He would hardly see her after this trip. The meal was over and they wrapped up the work and went to bed. Renée and Anastasia went to the washroom together. Ryder lay awake thinking about why his heart was breaking at the thought of Anastasia’s departure. 

The next morning, everyone woke up early. The men went fishing and collecting wood while Rihanna and Adelaide made breakfast. Renée and Anastasia cleaned the cabin. "We'd make perfect stay at home wives, don't you think?" Giggled Renée. 

Anastasia rolled her eyes. "I’d be a Fashion Designer like my mom," she said but she didn’t look like it was her dream. She looked more crestfallen at the thought. 

"I love my lazy Fordsville. I'll maybe look after my husband's ranch," said Renée. Anastasia knew that Renée had feelings for Sawyer for a long time. 

"I'll move to LA and look after my business," lied Anastasia. It wasn’t actually a complete lie. She knew what her fate was. She was meant for greater things. LA was her fate and she would live and die in LA. She didn’t have any option of staying in Fordsville. 

"You'll forget me then," said Renée. 

"Never. You'd remain my bestie forever. I'll come back for your wedding, " said Anastasia, her voice breaking a little. 

"That means you'll never come back because I'll never marry anyone," said Renée with a sad smile on her face. Anastasia knew that Sawyer hadn’t reciprocated his feelings for Renée, making her heartbroken. 

"It will happen, Renée. He cares for you more than he shows," said Anastasia. 

So it was decided that she would visit Fordsville when her best friend got married. Yet instead of thoughts of missing her bestie all Anastasia could think about were a pair of blue eyes. They haunted her and saddened her. She would miss them if she went away. She would miss her Blue!