Chapter 26

Isobel picked up a cantaloupe, gave it a sniff, put it down, and grabbed another. She repeated this process until she found the perfect one. After paying for her items, she moved on to the next booth. Just as she was about to pick up a sample of cheese, she heard someone call her name.

Spinning around, Isobel saw Celeste standing before her. "Oh, hi, Celeste."

"Hello, Isobel." Celeste glanced at Isobel's purchases. "Looks like you've got some great finds."

"Yes, a few."

"Are you busy? Can we talk somewhere?"

"Um, okay, sure," Isobel replied hesitantly.

She followed Celeste to an area with picnic tables and they sat across from each other.

Celeste started, "First off, I want to say you've had such a positive impact on Ryder. I haven't seen him this happy since his father passed away." She reached across the table and clasped Isobel's hands. "You've been a real blessing to this family."

A lump formed in Isobel's throat as she fought back tears.

"That said, I know what Ryder did. We had a long talk recently and he told me everything." Celeste squeezed Isobel's hands gently. "I'm not excusing his actions at all. Ryder has really struggled since losing his father. It affected Terry too, but Ryder took it much harder. He's made poor choices for years. Still, his father's death doesn't justify what he did. Ryder knows he was in the wrong."

As tears began to spill down Isobel's cheeks, she nodded.

"Isobel, Ryder is trying to change. Since you've been gone, he's a mess— but in a different way than before. He's not drinking or engaging in his usual destructive behaviors anymore. Instead of anger, he's now filled with sadness and regret. He gets emotional every time we talk about you."

Isobel's gaze shifted slowly from Celeste's hands to her face.

"I'm not here to tell you what to do or guilt you into anything. I just wanted you to know how much Ryder misses you and how deeply sorry he is. Moreover, I wanted to check on you and see how you're holding up."

"I've had better days."

Celeste stood up and circled the table, settling beside Isobel and enfolding her in a warm embrace. Isobel felt her emotions overwhelm her as tears began to spill, and she clung to Celeste tightly.

Gently, Celeste placed her hands on Isobel's shoulders, pushing her back slightly to gaze into her eyes.

"If you only had the chance to know Ryder's father and see the man Ryder was meant to become. He's a good man, Isobel. And he deeply cares for you."

Through tear-blurred vision, Isobel nodded and tried to focus on Celeste's face.

"Oh, Tyler. He was...well...he was wonderful and caring..." Celeste chuckled softly, "...and so romantic. He never ceased to surprise me with his sweet gestures of love." Celeste inhaled deeply, fighting back her own tears. "I miss him terribly."

"Ryder really broke my heart."

Celeste lowered her hands, gripping Isobel's firmly. "If he didn't matter to you, it wouldn't hurt this much."

Ryder had been deeply absorbed in his horse training to pass the time. Delilah was nearly ready to be returned to Rose, and as he led her and another young horse into the barn, he heard the sound of tires crunching on gravel. Assuming it was his mother, he continued into the barn.

After securing the young horse in its stall, Ryder guided Delilah into hers and began brushing her after taking off her halter.

"Ryder?"

Startled, Ryder dropped the brush and stepped out of the stall, eyes wide.

Standing in the doorway, silhouetted against the bright sky, was Isobel. His heart pounded so intensely it almost hurt, his stomach churned anxiously, and a large lump formed in his throat. Closing the stall door behind him, he slowly moved toward her.

At the sight of Ryder, Isobel's nerves surged as butterflies danced wildly in her stomach. She felt a fleeting urge to turn and dash back to her car.

As Ryder got closer and details of her silhouette emerged into vibrant color, he found himself breathless at her sight. She wore a flowing coral tank top adorned with cream lace across her collarbones, perfectly fitted jeans, and cowgirl boots. Her hair was swept up in a high ponytail.

"Isobel," Ryder finally breathed out.

"Hi, Ryder." She had played out this moment countless times in her mind, yet now with Ryder before her, she felt speechless.

"How are you?" Ryder asked, breaking the silence.

"Do you have time to talk?" Isobel finally managed to say what she had rehearsed.

"Of course." Without touching her, Ryder motioned for Isobel to follow him outside. "Would you like to sit on the porch in the shade?"

"Sure," she agreed, following him to the chairs.

After they both sat down and a lengthy awkward silence settled between them, they spoke simultaneously.

"Ryder." "Isobel, I..."

"You go ahead," Isobel said first.

"No, please, you first," Ryder insisted.

Isobel took a deep breath and began. "Ryder, I've done a lot of thinking. At first, I thought about running away—just moving on with my life and never seeing you again."

Ryder's gaze shifted downwards to the wooden boards beneath his feet.

"But then..." Isobel tilted her head slightly to catch his eyes. "Ryder?"

"Yes," Ryder responded without looking up.

"Please, look at me."

Ryder lifted his gaze, meeting Isobel's eyes.

"But then I started thinking about the man I saw—the one who drew me in. The one who was trying so hard to turn his life around." Isobel paused briefly. "The man I started falling for."

Ryder released a breath he had been holding, waves of emotion crashing through him as tears welled in his eyes.

"A wise woman approached me recently. She said she wished I could have met your father and seen the man you were meant to be. The admiration in her eyes as she spoke about your father pierced my heart. I want to feel that kind of love for someone. I want someone to feel that kind of love for me."

Ryder's heartbeat quickened, and he wiped his sweaty palms on his thighs. "I can love you like that, Isobel."

Tears began to shimmer in Isobel's eyes as well. "I believe you can." She turned in her seat to face him fully. "I forgive you." The tears broke free, streaming down her cheeks.

Ryder slid off his chair and knelt before her, wrapping his arms around Isobel's waist. They clung to each other tightly, letting their tears flow without restraint.