Wasting no time, he goes to meet her where she’s at. One could only imagine all the possible thoughts running through his mind as he gets closer and closer to the woman he’s only dreamed of. However, you’d be surprised to know that his mind was as clear as the sky, his hands as steady as a surgeon’s, and his chest as cool as a cucumber. This was all because the waiting days were over. Even if she didn’t know it, he did- he knew he had met his match.
The closer she got, the more she wanted to turn around and run away. Without even hearing his voice, touching his hands, or feeling his breath, the mere sight of him made her tremble. That self-sabotaging nature of hers already began to wonder what this huge guy on a huge ranch with huge horses wanted to do with her. But little did she know, he also had a huge heart that simply desired to be loved, and create life from love with the very woman he loved with all his might.
And so it began.
Ryder: “Hey there, pretty lady.” Glistening eyes looking straight at hers.
Wise: “Hi” She says letting the nerves overtake her, losing all eye contact putting her head down.
Ryder: “Hey.. look at me. Does the pretty little lady have a name?” He asks, trying to ease her nerves.
Wise: “Annette. Annette Wise.”
He extends his hand forward to shake hers and pulls her in ever so slightly as she grabs his. Looking intently into her eyes…
Ryder: “Smitten Ryder. It’s nice to officially meet you, but can I just say that your beauty is beyond anything that I could even imagine; and I know I’ve already said it, but for whatever reason I can’t seem to express it enough, it’s riveting.”
Almost officially trembling and falling to her knees, she finds a way to utter actual words.
Wise: “You can’t keep leaving me speechless. I don’t know whether to say thank you or I love you and I haven’t even known you for five minutes… I don’t know this feeling.”
Ryder: “That’s ok, you don’t have to say anything. Follow me, it’s time for you to meet your horse. I cleaned her up just for you, because she’s yours now, and no one else’s.”
As they make their way up to the stables to meet Jean, the most breathtaking horse Annette had ever seen, all they could think about was their future. Not in a million years did she think she could fall for someone only knowing their name. And never in a million years did he think the day would finally come where his life actually begins.
Ryder: “It’s beautiful, but the sundress won’t do. Here, change into these.”
Wise: “Oh ok, thank you, where at?”
Ryder: “Straight ahead.” Pointing at the dressing room he has for guests who come to horseback ride.
Minutes go by, she’s done changing, and walks out..
Wise: “How do I look?”
Ryder: “Are you serious, you’d look good in nothing.”
Wise: Immediate shock on her face.
Ryder: “Forgive me, Lord knows I didn’t mean it like that.”
Wise: “I know.”
They both laugh.
After meeting the lovely Jean, and gearing them both up, it was time to ride her.
Ryder: “Have you ever ridden a horse before?”
Wise: “No.”
Ryder: “Well then, I hope today begins the first of many.”
Wise: “I hope so too.” She says smiling with a beam of beauty.
Ryder: “Wow, just wow.” He nods his head.
“Here, grab my hand, put your right foot on this stirrup, and swing your left foot onto her back, and into the other stirrup.”
Annette was great at following instructions, so she did exactly as he said.
Ryder: “C’mon, there you go! Now here’s what you do next.”
He begins to teach her all there is to know about horseback riding, and naturally, she soaks it all up. The only thing she wouldn’t do was allow him to let her go. She was scared every single step of the way and needed him there at all times. This came easy to him as he would never let anything happen to her on his watch. Slow and steady she rode the horse with Ryder right by her side.
Two hours had gone by, which is all he asked of her today.
Ryder: “Our two hours are up.”
Wise: “Two more… please.” Exhausted, but her voice still soft as ever.
Ryder:”Ok, but let’s get you ladies some water first”
It didn’t matter how tired he was of walking in a circle for two hours straight. If it meant keeping her at ease and stress free, then he could do it forever.
The moment she got there, not a single thought of all her responsibilities waiting for her at home came to mind. She felt at peace for the first time in years, and had him to thank for it. She never wanted this moment to end and could only smile despite the exhaustion overtaking them both.
The next two hours felt like two minutes as she was engaged in learning and he was completely enthralled in all that she was at any given moment.
Ryder: “I’d love to keep you here, but I can’t have your folks thinking I’m holding you hostage.”
Wise: “You don’t have to worry about that.”
Ryder: “Then let me cook you dinner.”
Wise: “I know this is your place, but please, let me. You don’t even know just how much you’ve done for me today.” She says grabbing his hand.
Ryder: “Ok.”
She wasn’t the best cook, but just like the walking in circles, he didn’t care. He knew that in time she would get better so long as she was given the space and time to do so.
Disappointed in the quality of her work after tasting it, she immediately feels apologetic.
Wise: “I’m so sorry, this is no good.” She says on the verge of crying.
Ryder: “Hey, easy, don’t talk about my wife’s cooking like that.” He jokes, but means every single word.
Without even having time to cry she immediately starts laughing with food in her mouth.
Ryder: “You will get better. You lead a busy life, all you need is time to learn. If you want, you can come by whenever to do just that; I don’t even have to be around.”
Wise: “Thank you so much for today, from start to finish.”
Ryder: “Any time.”
Her busy Monday-Thursday was going to begin the next day, so she had to start making her way out. Walking her to her car, with his arms behind his back and her hands around her purse, they breathe the fine air together and enjoy each other’s presence.
Minutes later, with his hand on her car door, he asks:
Ryder: “When can I see you again?”
Wise: “Whenever you want.” She says finally intently looking him in his eyes.
But coming back to her senses…
Wise: “Wait, I’m sorry, I almost forgot about the rest of my life. You see I have another two years of a very busy schedule, and as much as I would like to see you whenever, I’m afraid I can’t.”
Ryder: “It’s ok, see me when you can. In the meantime, you know where to find me.” Swinging his phone in the air.
Ryder didn’t say another word because he certainly did know where to find her. Even though his heart belonged to her, he didn’t want to throw himself at her by showing up at the gas station without a need for it.
Annette drives home in silence because her thoughts were louder than any music could ever be. She doesn’t know whether to cry because her life was so demanding that she didn’t think it’s fair to keep him around, scream because a flood of emotions overwhelms her at the very thought of him, or marinate in the memories she just created with him because she’s afraid it will be a while before she got to see him again. But instead of doing any of those things, she smiles; when something brings her joy, no matter how big or small, she smiles.
Ryder ended his night reflecting on the day he just had because he knew it was serious for him. He knew that he would have to be patient and sacrifice the next two years of his life waiting for her to truly be his. However, he didn’t see it as much of a sacrifice, if it meant she was his and he was hers for the rest of their lives.
That’s it for now guys, see you next time for the ending!
