Stay (Love In Montana Book 5)

Anastasia clung to him, surrendering into the kiss. She opened her mouth eagerly, allowing him to dominate the kiss. Ryder wasted no time and plunged his tongue into her mouth, wildly tasting her. 

“Kiss me, Annie, “ he said in a voice hoarse with desire as his mouth left hers for a second. Anastasia obliged, kissing him as if it was the last kiss she would have with her Ryder in years. Ryder was lost, his arms crushing her to his body. His body reacted as a tremor ran down him, making him want more of her. The kiss tuned more hungry and he devoured her with an intense passion. A warm flush spread all over her and she moaned with pleasure. The sound of a knock on the door made them come to their senses. Ryder released her mouth and took a deep breath to calm his erratic breathing. 

“If should be the food I had ordered,” he said breathlessly, walking over to the door. He opened it and took the tray of food that the staff member had brought over to them. Ryder thanked him and closed the door, placing the food at the small sit-out near the bay window. Anastasia came over and they sat down to eat. 

“Mmm, these shrimp topped chicken burritos are delicious,” said Anastasia. Ryder agreed and served her the fish tacos as well. 

“Try these with this dip,” he offered. “We’ll go on a cruise afterwards or are you tired already?” asked Ryder eagerly. Anastasia’s eyes lit up. Of course she loved the idea of a cruise with him. She was eager to get as much out of him as possible before he went away for a year. 

“No, I want to go out on a cruise with you,” she told him. Ryder smiled looking satisfied as he called the reception and booked them seats for the next cruise departing from the marina. 

“There, all fixed. We have an hour to relax and then we can just walk over to our cruiser. So, are you enjoying?” he asked eagerly. Anastasia nodded vehemently.

“Yes, I’m loving it,” said Anastasia excitedly clasping her hands with a grin. Ryder grinned back. He was glad that he brought her here. 

“Me too more than the last time I was here,” he told her making her grin.

“Really?” she said with disbelief. “Oh that reminds me. Did you find Sawyer? Ren doesn’t take my calls these days. I think she needs a little space so I left her alone,” said Anastasia. Ryder shook his head.

“No, he has disappeared completely and we have no idea why he left home. Renée is living somehow. She doesn’t talk to anyone. Everyone is displeased with Saw. If he loved Ren, he could have asked for her hand. Mom and dad would have agreed. Why did he have to leave home?” asked Ryder, shaking his head at Sawyer’s immaturity. He didn’t tell her about the man who used to follow Sawyer. His granddad felt that Sawyer was in some kind of danger and might have been kidnapped. They were conducting a secret investigation although there had been no success so far. 

“It’s really depressing. I had promised to visit Fordsville for her wedding,” said Anastasia with a sigh. Ryder looked at her with surprise. 

“I didn’t know that. I’ll wait for you too in that case. I’m sure that Sawyer will return soon and marry Ren “ he said with a hopeful smile on his face. 

“Won’t you come over before that?” Asked Anastasia eagerly. Ryder stared at her longingly. 

“Do you want me to?” he asked eagerly, his eyes staring into her soul. Anastasia nodded, looking away shyly. 

“In that case, I might visit you anytime. I’ll surprise you just like I did this time. Think about my offer in the meantime,” said Ryder. 

“What offer?” asked Anastasia, looking lost. 

“Moving to Fordsville with me, what else?” asked Ryder amazed at how she could forget it already. Anastasia stared at him with shock. She hadn’t taken him seriously at all but one look at his solemn face made her change her mind. There was a solemn look on his face as he stared at her expectantly. Anastasia looked down at her plate. She didn’t want to hurt him. Under normal circumstances, she would have jumped at his offer and gone to Fordsville already. 

“You shouldn’t joke about these things, Blue,” she scolded him. Ryder looked a little hurt hearing her words. 

“I’ve never been this serious all my life, Annie. In fact I had brought a little gift for you. I was afraid that you wouldn’t like it at all. I was scared to give it to you but tomorrow I shall be leaving. I want to give it to you,” he said, his eyes filling up with a raw emotion. Anastasia’s eyes widened with surprise, 

“What gift? I’d love anything you give me Blue,” said Anastasia sincerely from her heart. 

“Just a minute,” said Ryder, getting up and rushing towards his backpack. He took out a box nicely gift-wrapped. Anastasia wondered what it actually was. Would he propose to her? Her breath got stuck in her throat as he came towards her with a smile on his face. He handed her the box. 

“This is for you,” he said, his eyes coloring a little. Anastasia was bewildered by his reaction and took the box from his hands. 

“Thank you, Blue. I can’t wait to see what it contains,” she said excitedly, her eyes shining as she tore the wrapping paper off. She found a handcrafted wooden box. She read the words that were engraved in golden, in the middle of a floral wreath etched on the wooden lid in the shape of a heart.

 

Ryder & Anastasia 

 

There was a finality in the words as if they were a couple who were meant to be together forever! Anastasia’s eyes filled up with tears seeing the rustic gift. She slowly opened the box and on the inner lid was engraved the words.

 

A True Love Story Never Ends

 

Anastasia gasped as she looked up at him, the tears falling from her eyes. She was overwhelmed by the gift. “Do you like it Annie? I made it for you,” he said with a hopeful expression in his eyes. 

“I love it, Blue. It’s priceless,” she whispered. Ryder smiled, looking relieved. 

“Check the contents,” he told her, making her look into the box. Shs had been so busy checking the words engraved on it that she hadn’t noticed the nearly folded paper chits inside the box. Curious, she picked up one while Ryder watched her expression with his breath stuck up in his throat. 

It read,

 

I don’t need to go far away to see the world

My world is you

My heart will always be wherever you are

I’ll stay with you forever 

 

Anastasia felt choked as she picked up another chit. It read,

 

Give me a chance to show  

How much I care for you

Give me a chance to prove 

How much I love you

Give me a chance to make you my world 

Give me a chance to give you my all

Give me a chance to stay in your heart

Be mine, never to be apart

 

Anastasia got up and with tears in her eyes, she sat on his lap and hugged him closer. “Oh, Blue,” she said as she wept with joy. She was overwhelmed at the true love he had in his heart for her. No one had loved her so much. 

“I wrote them while we were apart. Then I didn’t know how to give them to you. So I made this box,” said Ryder, holding her in his arms. “Come with me to Fordsville. I really want you to stay with me. I want a relationship with you, Anastasia. A forever kind of relationship,” he whispered. 

“I will, Blue. When we return, I’ll talk to dad and I’ll go back to Fordsville. Okay?” she said unable to fight him any longer. They loved one another and she was determined to go back with him. She had every right to be happy. She could pursue her studies from Fordsville just like Renée was doing. 

“Really? I can’t believe it. You’ve made me so happy, Annie,” said Ryder, with a broad smile.

“Yes, really. Now eat fast. We have a cruise to experience,” reminded Anastasia with a grin. Her heart was bursting with excitement having finally been able to decide what she needed to do. This decision gave her immense satisfaction and now she needed to convince her dad. It shouldn’t be a difficult job as her dad already like Ryder. They quickly finished eating and locking up the cottage, they held hands and walked over to the white and blue streamlined yacht that was gearing up for a memorable cruise. Ryder led her on board and they found their seats. It was another lifetime experience as Anastasia held his hand and sat watching her vast lake water around them. Her heart was at peace and she was finally happy to go to Fordsville and live a happy life with her Blue. It was all she had ever wanted!