Rivals In Love (Love In Montana Book 4)

Their chauffeur, Jonathan drove them to the outskirts of Vegas to a typical Wild West horse ranch. It was so different from theirs that it made Georgia very excited. There were many guests like them and the professional wranglers were busy matching everyone with a horse suitable to their skill level. Georgia and Ryan however were experts at riding, having lived at Fordsville all their lives, so finding a horse for them was relatively easy.

After a safety briefing, they all headed out on a horseback riding tour through the southern Nevada desert, following their experienced guide, Carl who ensured that everyone was comfortable throughout the tour. 

It was a completely different experience from riding through the lush greenery of Fordsville. Throughout the horseback trail ride, they were surrounded by gorgeous mountains and Joshua trees, silhouetted against the sunset. As dusk descended, they marveled at the orange glow under open skies. They caught sight of desert inhabitants like bighorn sheep, roadrunners, jackrabbits and other wildlife native to the desert outside Las Vegas. 

After an hour, they returned back to the ranch and were served up a classic country-style dinner. Hungrily, Ryan and Georgia dug into their food. There was juicy and tender steak accompanied by baked potato, corn on the cob, rolls, and a slice of good old-fashioned apple pie. They were too full to even budge an inch after that hearty meal. 

"Can we stay for a few minutes more? I love it here, " said Georgia. Ryan nodded and spoke to their tour guide. He arranged for a cowboy campfire under the stars. 

"Those two stars must be my parents looking down upon us," said Georgia, resting against Ryan and watching the numerous stars and constellations under the moonlight. Although she knew that it wasn't true, yet it gave her comfort saying so. Ryan looked at her instead, thinking of the difficult times she'd been through. 

"They look happy, don't they?" Ryan said softly, playing along. Georgia looked at him with a smile.

"Yes, I'm glad that they're happy together at last, even if it's after death," she told him. Ryan nodded. He had heard how Georgia's dad treated her mom. Listening to her talk about her life at Fordsville, he swore that he would try his best to provide her with all the happiness that she deserved. 

It seemed that Brian was the one who had hurt her the most in her family. "That's why I just couldn't forgive Brian when he apologized," she whispered. Ryan caught her hand and stroked it to comfort her. 

"It's okay, Georgia. You can't force yourself to forgive him. Let him earn your forgiveness, " said Ryan. Georgia nodded looking relieved. After an hour of star gazing and discussing their dreams and aspirations, it was time to go home.

"We'll have more dates like this one, Georgia. It's getting late. We need to return," he reminded her. Georgia nodded, getting up. 

"Yeah, you're right. Let's go," she agreed. They were dropped home by Jonathan again and after thanking him, Ryan led her up the elevator towards their apartment. 

"So, what did you think of our date? Did you enjoy yourself?" He asked her with a smile seeing her blissfully happy expression.

"Yes Ryan. I loved it. So where are you taking me tomorrow?" She asked teasingly. Ryan grinned. 

"Tomorrow Russell has invited us to dinner at his house, " he informed her. Georgia was immediately nervous. 

"Do I have to go? I'm scared that he would judge me for being a McLean girl, " she said nervously. Ryan waved her off. They reached their apartment and unlocked the door. 

"Rubbish! Russell's quite cool. He doesn't believe in such things. You'll like him and his family. My brother Rowland is also similar. He and his family also live here," informed Ryan. Georgia nodded but deep in her heart, she was a little apprehensive about this family dinner thing. 

The next morning Ryan drove her to work. "You'll soon need a car of your own," said Ryan. 

"Yeah, I'll buy one with my first salary. I gave all the money I had to save my dad's business, " said Georgia. 

"Which now belongs to your brothers. Shouldn't they repay you in some way?" Asked Ryan.

Georgia shrugged. "They offered me a partnership but I declined. I didn't want anything to do with them," she said truthfully. 

"I know and I'm glad that you left that all behind you. We can start afresh," said Ryan. 

"Yes, I'm glad too that I came here to you," she told him. Ryan released the clutch and caught her hand resting on her lap. 

"Me too," he said with a warm smile. He dropped her off at her workplace. 

"Be ready tonight before I arrive, else we'd never make it to Russell's house," he said with a wink before driving away. 

The whole day whizzed by amidst loads of work to complete. Georgia had no time to contemplate upon their dinner program. It was only when she returned home in the evening did she realize that she hadn't even decided what dress to wear. With limited time at hand, she just picked up a beautiful royal blue dress. 

Within twenty minutes, she was ready and out of her bedroom. Ryan returned ten minutes later and grinned seeing her. "Whoa! Are you gonna wear that to Russell's house? I wonder how I'd stay away from you," he said giving her a peck on the lips which smudged her lipstick just like last night. Georgia rolled her eyes and groaned. Ryan laughed playfully and walked inside to get ready while Georgia touched up her makeup. 

Ryan came out after a while, wearing a black shirt and a pair of figure hugging jeans. It made him look so sinfully gorgeous that she started having second thoughts about going to Russell's house. Ryan seemed to guess her thoughts as he winked at her and leaned in towards her. Georgia moved her head away not wanting her lipstick to be smudged again. 

"You still have ample time to change your mind. I could think of an excuse for Russell," he whispered into her ear. Georgia shook her head.

"I wouldn't want your brothers going against you because of me. Anyway, I need to thank him for this job," said Georgia, determinedly. Ryan didn't argue further and they drove over to Russell's house. Within five minutes they reached the sophisticated and sprawling condominium at Queensridge Place, the most highly amenitized building in Las Vegas. Both Russell and Rowland lived there with their families and had offered Ryan too an opportunity to live with them. But Ryan declined since he wanted a little privacy to mend his broken heart. Ryan led her upstairs using the express elevator that only serviced Russell and Rowland's penthouses on the top floor. 

"It's so grand," said Georgia, looking around at everything, wide-eyed. 

"You like it? Do you wish to live here? My brothers have their apartments here. I could buy one for us if you want. This building has unobstructed views of the Red Rock Canyon to the west and the world famous Las Vegas Strip to the east. You'll love it here," said Ryan but Georgia shook her head.

"I don't want a showpiece home. I want a comfortable home where our children can play around and grow up. It's a waste of hard-earned money," she told him, honestly. Ryan stared at her with respect. He was so glad that tiger thoughts matched so much. These past few days he'd gotten to know her so much and the more he knew about her, the deeper he fell in love with her. 

"I'm so glad that our thoughts match, Georgia, " he told her, with a warm smile on his face. They reached Russell's floor and Ryan rang the doorbell. Russell opened the door and hugged his younger brother. 

"Ryan, so good to see you looking so happy," said Russell, releasing him to look at Georgia. "Hi Georgia!" Said Russell, holding out his hand for a shake. 

"Hello Russell! Thanks for everything that you've done for me, " she said, shaking his hand gratefully. Russell brushed her off.

"I'm glad that you got the job you deserve," he said. He led her inside and a beautiful woman walked into the living room.

"Georgia, meet my wife, Janette," he introduced her. Janette pulled her into a hug. 

"So good to meet you, Georgia, " she said. Georgia was stunned by the warm response she received from Ryan's brother. He used to live in Fordsville and knew about their rivalry yet the way he welcomed her was very much unexpected. Later she met Rowland and his wife, Sharon and their baby girl. Georgia loved the warm and homely vibes that she received throughout her stay at Russell's house. The dinner was delicious and they chatted so much about everything, life at Fordsville, life in Las Vegas, food, work, children and even their wedding plans. 

"We're trying to get to know each other first. There's no hurry to get married," said Ryan. Georgia was glad that too felt the same as her. She didn't want a shaky relationship with him. She wanted to strengthen her bond of love and trust first before uniting in holy matrimony.