Stay (Love In Montana Book 5)

The cruise at last was over and the yacht brought them back to the resort. The sun was about to set and they sat on the patio sipping the cool drink and appetizers that Ryder had ordered. “We'll leave in half an hour,” he said, glancing at her with a look of longing on his face. Anastasia’s voice was choked with emotions and she just nodded, not able to utter any words. She wanted to cling to this memory forever as a strange sense of dread overcame her. All the previous enthusiasm she felt before going on a cruise crumbled to dust when she received a message from her mom. 

 

Coming soon to take you to LA with me. 

 

Anastasia didn’t know how soon that would be but that simple message was enough to make her realize that she couldn’t go to Fordsville with Ryder. She didn’t tell Ryder anything as it would make him unhappy. She just lived the moment with him. 

The sun had set and Ryder got up reluctantly. He noticed that she had been exceptionally quiet throughout the cruise and wondered if something was up but he was afraid to ask. He didn’t want to spoil their date. The dark sky rumbled and he looked up warily. Did he hear it correctly or was it just his imagination? 

“I think a storm is approaching us,” said Anastasia, getting up. Another threatening loud rumble made everyone rush indoors. 

“Everyone get inside. A thunderstorm is approaching us followed by a flash flood forecast. No one can leave the premises. All roads in and around the place have been blocked,” announced a staff member as he ran past them. Anastasia looked at Ryder with panic.

“Everything was fine a while ago. Was there any forecast of this?” she asked as Ryder led her inside their room. 

“I just forgot to check the weather,” he admitted, feeling guilty. 

“It hasn’t broken out yet. Can’t we just drive home fast?” asked Anastasia. Ryder shook his head, closing the door of their room and locking it well. 

“It’s not safe to go out now. These desert thunderstorms arrive in seconds carrying the double threat of flash floods and lightning,” said Ryder, moving the curtains and watching the storm approaching them. Anastasia panicked thinking about how she would return back if the roads were blocked due to flooding.

“When will we be able to return in case there’s a flood?” she asked, standing beside him and looking out with dread. Ryder shrugged. 

“It depends upon the severity of the flood. They can clear it in hours and we could return late tonight or maybe tomorrow morning,” he told her. Anastasia was distraught with worry by now.

“Tomorrow morning? But I have to return home tonight. You have promised dad, remember?” she reminded him. Ryder nodded.

“Of course, I remember but what can I do in case of a natural calamity?” he asked helplessly. “Why don’t you call up and inform your dad before the mobile network gets disrupted?” asked Ryder. Anastasia jumped up to do the same. 

“Wait, I’ll call uncle David and inform him. You can talk after I speak to him,” said Ryder. Anastasia nodded and sat down watching him talk to her dad. 

“Yes, uncle David,  I’ve booked us a room at the resort. The mobile network might get disrupted soon, so I thought of informing you now,” said Ryder.

“Flash floods are bad. I’m glad that you’ve informed me. You can come home tomorrow morning,” said her dad. 

“Thank you, uncle David. Annie wanted me to drive her home after the storm but I didn’t want to take the risk,” he told her dad. Anastasia anxiously sat listening to their conversation. 

“It’s already dark. I wouldn’t want to risk your lives. The roads would be blocked as it is after the storm passes,” said her dad.

“Yeah, do you want to talk to Annie?” He asked.

“No, it’s okay. I’m sure she’s safe with you. Just be careful, I wouldn’t want her pregnant at nineteen,” said her dad, making Ryder’s eyes widen.

“I won’t do anything of the sort. I give you my word, uncle David,” he promised, his cheeks coloring a little while Anastasia covered her face with embarrassment.

“I know that I can trust you, Ryder. Stay safe,” said her dad, disconnecting the call. Ryder chuckled, staring at her.

“Dad is really the limit,” she said, her face flushed with color. 

“I think he’s quite cool. I like him. Other dads would have been paranoid with stress but he took it so sportingly,” praised Ryder making her nod in agreement. A flash of lightning suddenly lit up the sky and Anastasia jumped. 

“You can cling to me if you’re that scared,” he suggested, his eyes dancing with mischief. Anastasia gave him a look.

“Don’t you remember your promise to my dad?” she asked him, making him shake his head. 

“I just promised that I wouldn’t get you pregnant. I didn’t promise anything else,” he shrugged, making her gape at him. The cheeky fellow! If only her dad knew how wicked he really is! 

“So are you gonna spend all night beside this window, watching the storm?” he asked with interest. 

“What else can we do? We can’t watch a movie,” said Anastasia with a shrug.

“We can do something else,” he suggested with his eyes dancing with amusement. 

“I’m not interested,” she told him with a glare. She knew what he was wanting to do. He wanted to start making out and then land up making love to her with protection. 

“How can you say that? You haven’t even heard what I’m about to suggest,” pointed out Ryder. 

Anastasia rolled her eyes at him. “I know what you’re trying to suggest,” she said as a deep blush crept up to her cheeks.

“What am I trying to suggest?” asked Ryder eagerly.

“To make out and then land up on bed, what else?” she said, avoiding his eyes. Ryder chuckled.

“You have such a dirty mind, Annie. I was just suggesting a game of 20 questions,” he told her, making her gape at him. She was sure that he was bluffing just to pull her legs. “But we can do that instead since you’re so keen,” he said. He picked up the menu card and glanced at the options. 

“Let’s order our dinner, in case the electricity goes,” said Ryder. They quickly ordered dinner. Sparks of lightning flashed across the sky followed by deafening thunder. Anastasia sat in the middle of the bed, trembling with fear. She hated lightning and thunder but she couldn’t admit that in front of Ryder. He would definitely laugh at her. 

The incessant lightning, thunder seemed as if it would fall over her head and she went under the duvet with fear. The rain started first in drizzle and soon it was a torrential downpour. Their food arrived finally and Ryder placed it on the coffee table beside the window. 

“You can come out and cling to me. I’m also like a duvet, warm, cuddly, try me,” he laughed. Anastasia rolled her eyes at him.

“Very funny. The food looks so good. Let’s eat instead of wasting time,” she said, getting out and sitting beside him on the two-seater instead of the couch opposite. Her heart beats increased with fear every time a lightning struck and thunder boomed across the sky. The rainfall started pouring in sheets. 

“There’s sure to be a massive flood,” said Ryder as he removed the curtain to take a look. 

“I hope that we’re able to go home tomorrow morning,” she said with a sigh. 

“What if we’re stuck here for a few days? Wouldn’t you like to live with me?” he asked her eagerly, but Anastasia could see his gorgeous blue eyes staring at her hopefully. 

“We can’t always do what we like, Blue,” she pointed out, attacking the deliciously succulent meatballs dunked in gravy. 

“I’m not asking you if you would do it. All I’m asking is whether you’d like to live with me,” he asked eagerly, serving himself some of the food. 

“Of course, I would. If I had my way, I would have gone back tomorrow with you,” she told him. Ryder frowned.

“But you promised that you would. Why did you change your mind again?” he asked with a puzzled look on his face. 

“I received a message from mom. She’s coming soon to take me to LA with her,” she informed him. 

“So? You’re an adult. Why can’t you choose where you want to live?” he asked her. 

“I’ve told you before, Blue. I’m being trained to take over a fashion empire based in Los Angeles,” she told him. Ryder was silent as he digested the piece of information. He remembered that she had mentioned it to him before but he hadn’t taken her very seriously then. 

“Are you that interested in fashion designing?” he asked remembering that she had informed him that she loved baking more. 

“I don’t hate it either,” she lied. She didn’t want to talk about her future and waste the time she had with Ryder. 

“But you said that you love me,” he said with a questioning look in his eyes.

“I do but all love doesn’t get fulfilled. Some love stories are meant for sacrifice,” she pointed out.

“I don’t believe in sacrifice. If you love me the way I love you, I’ll pursue you to hell,” he swore, the determination flashing in his eyes.