Page 47 of River Legacy (Powder River #5)

T he horseback ride was a little later than Ryder had planned. They’d stayed at the wedding reception until the sun came up—and they weren’t alone. Everyone said it was the best party ever. He had to agree.

At some point his mother and Holden had sneaked away, but not before she’d sought him out and pulled him aside.

“I have something for you,” she said and pressed a small velvet box into his hand.

“What is this?”

She gave him an impatient look. “It’s your great-grandmother’s wedding ring. I think it would be perfect for Victoria.”

“Don’t you think it’s a little soon for this?” He had to ask since it was something he’d been asking himself.

She made a dismissive sound. “You’re in love with her. Do both of you a favor, don’t put it off. Get on with your life. It’s the best advice I can give you.”

He opened the box and saw the simple gold band and the tiny diamonds around it. “It’s perfect for her.” He looked up, surprised that his mother somehow would know that.

She smiled. “I promise you that your life is going to be blessed. Ask her to marry you. Don’t worry about the future.” Her smiled broadened. “It’s already written in the stars,” she said, glancing skyward at the blazing galaxy.

And then Holden was there, taking her away. Ryder pocketed the ring as he returned to Vicky.

“They’re playing our song,” she said, taking his hand and leading him toward the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the arena.

He laughed. “We have a song?” But the moment he pulled her into his arms, he remembered it. They’d heard it that night in town, which now seemed like so long ago. It was something about a storm coming. “You sure you want this to be our song?”

Nodding, she said, “I now love storms, and I love you.”

Ryder could feel the small velvet box in his pocket as he smiled. “It’s perfect, just like you.” He pulled her close. It wasn’t too soon to ask her. The timing was perfect.

I t was late afternoon before they saddled up for their ride. Once in the saddle, Victoria turned her face up to the low-hanging summer sun and knew this was exactly what she’d needed. The wedding had been amazing, meeting the family, partying with friendly people until the starlight.

Ryder’s brother-in-law Cooper McKenna had taken care of the animals while they were tied up in Billings. She’d been worried about Vic, the new colt, but Brand had gotten out of the hospital and assured her that Vic was doing great.

She’d loved seeing the colt when they returned. “He’s grown so much,” she’d exclaimed. “He’s so beautiful.”

Ryder had smiled as they watched the colt run around the pasture for a moment before the two of them headed out.

As the sun lolled in the sky over the mountains to the west, they rode out toward the wide-open spaces. Victoria breathed in the afternoon as if she could tuck it into her heart and never forget it. She closed her eyes, letting the sun warm her face, enjoying being back in the saddle.

When she opened her eyes, Ryder was riding next to her, looking at her.

She smiled, feeling his love in his gaze.

She couldn’t remember ever feeling this happy, yet she was going to have to go back to Dallas soon.

She’d been debating if she should keep her apartment.

If she didn’t, she’d have to pack up her things and move them.

She also needed to talk to the art center where she’d worked.

Ryder loved her, she knew that. She just didn’t know about her future.

It felt more tenuous than his. Where were they going to live?

She and Ryder had fallen in love and talked about buying their own ranch, but they really hadn’t talked about the immediate future.

Everything had happened so quickly. She was going to have to make some decisions pretty soon.

She pushed that thought away, determined to enjoy the rest of this day. Tomorrow she would tell him that she had to leave for a while. She wasn’t sure how he would take it. His future was up in the air as well. How could either of them plan on tomorrow at this point?

A s they rode, Ryder was also thinking about the future. His mother was right. It was time to make plans for the future—their future. He loved her. He wanted to be with her always. He knew it was a huge step. Did he really know this woman? He looked over at her.

He knew Vicky, but he wasn’t sure about Victoria.

She hadn’t mentioned going back to Dallas.

He knew she had an apartment back there.

Her old life and all her belongings were there.

Not to mention the short time they’d even known each other.

He could just imagine what Brand would say, let alone Tilly.

Oakley would be all for him asking Vicky to marry him, but that was Oakley.

You can’t seriously be thinking of asking her to marry you? That was Brand adding his two cents’ worth in Ryder’s head.

If Ryder wanted Vicky to stay, he had to make his feelings known.

As they reached a rise, he reined in his horse, and Vicky did too.

The view of the river bottom was beautiful from here.

Soon summer would be over. The cottonwood leaves would begin to turn, and winter would come sweeping in with snow and cold.

He dismounted and ground-tied his horse as she climbed down as well.

“I think this is my favorite spot on the entire ranch,” Vicky said as she moved to the edge to look down at the dark-leafed cottonwoods that marked the long trail the Powder River flowed to reach the Yellowstone River.

“This is my favorite spot as well,” he said as he joined her. He hated to think that her father now owned it. He feared what the man would do with the ranch. But like his mother, he knew the land was lost and they had to move on.

He’d never been afraid of much, yet right now he felt terrified that Vicky might say no.

He had nothing to offer her. No ranch and a questionable future, and they had spent only days together.

She’d never seen a Montana winter, never mind come home to find a newborn calf in her bathtub because it would have frozen to death if he hadn’t brought it inside.

For some reason, he recalled once overhearing his mother telling a friend that she’d fallen in love with Holden at first sight when they were kids. She’d said to herself that day, “I’m going to marry that man.”

And look how that had turned out, he reminded himself. It had taken them years to finally be together. Ryder sure as the devil didn’t want to make that mistake.

He took off his Stetson, raked a hand through his hair and dropped to one knee.

Vicky looked over at him, at first appearing alarmed, then surprised.

“I know this is probably something you aren’t ready for, might never be ready for, but dang it, Vicky, I have to do it.

Nothing about our meeting or our falling in love has been typical.

I never dreamed that you might come to enjoy this life, let alone want to stay.

But I sure want you to. I love you. I can’t see that ever changing.

I want to marry you. You can take all the time you need to think about it.

You don’t have to say anything right now—”

“Yes.”

Ryder thought he hadn’t heard her correctly. “Yes?”

“Yes, Ryder Stafford, I would love to marry you. I thought you would never ask. It’s been over a week since we’ve been together.”

He laughed at that as he rose to his feet. “You sure?”

“Stop sounding so surprised. I’m sure. I’ve never been one for convention. Also, it doesn’t take me long to make up my mind when I want something. You should know that.” She grinned. “When something feels right—”

He grabbed her and kissed her. “Wait.” He dropped back down on his knee, reached in his pocket and pulled out the small box.

She blinked. “I’m not that materialist girl you thought I was, remember. I would be happy with just a single gold band on my finger on my wedding day and I’m your woman.”

Ryder laughed. “It belonged to my great-grandmother. I think it’s perfect for you.” He opened the box and saw her eyes light up.

“Oh, Ryder,” she said. “It’s beautiful. I love it. I want you to put it on my finger the day we get married.”

W ord of another Stafford wedding spread through the community. Victoria wasn’t surprised when she got the call from her father even before she could call him with the news. He wanted to meet in town.

“You’re really going to marry a Montana rancher?

” he said and chuckled once they were seated in a back table at the hotel bar.

The place was empty this time of day. “I have to admit, I’m a little surprised.

This change in you from the daughter I insisted meet me in Montana to the one you are now is kind of drastic. Are you sure about this?”

“I’ve never been surer of anything. All the partying, the clothes, the penthouse, it all just feels superficial after meeting Ryder and spending time at the ranch.

This life energizes me. I’m going to be a ranchwoman, and I can’t wait.

I love his family. My future sister-in-law Tilly is going to teach me how to cook.

Oakley has promised that I can help with the fraternal twins she’s having.

One boy, one girl. It will be good practice for when Ryder and I have our own babies. ”

“I’m just surprised,” her father said. “Are you sure you’re up for this life?”

“I have a lot to learn, but I’m ready. We’re going to pool our money and buy a ranch. It won’t be as large as the Stafford Ranch, but we just need enough space for our kids to run around.”

He chuckled again. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.

All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy.

I’d hoped marriage would do it. I was just wrong about what kind of man it would take.

The Stafford Ranch is yours and Ryder’s.

It’s my engagement present. I should never have taken it away from him and his family. ”

“Are you serious?” She sounded more astonished than he had about the engagement. “Why would you do that?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do. And tell your fiancé that it comes with no strings at all. I’m signing it over to the two of you.” He pulled the legal paperwork from his pocket. “I’ve already talked to Charlotte about it,” he said. “She and I plan to be grandparents together.”

“I see,” she said, wondering if she should be worried.

“It isn’t like that.” Her father smiled at her. “Charlotte’s always been in love with Holden. She’s offered me a family to enjoy along with my daughter. I’d be a fool to miss out on it.”

Victoria felt tears burn her eyes, and she jumped up to hug him. “Thank you. I can’t tell you what this means to me, to Ryder.”

Her father nodded. “Ryder is a good man. I approve.”

She couldn’t help being touched as well as both shocked and impressed by his generosity and said as much.

“I told you I was going to make amends for some of the things I’ve done,” he said. “You weren’t sure I meant it, were you?”

She sighed and shook her head. “I’m proud of you. What will you do once you make all these amends?”

“Well, I’ll probably be broke by then,” he said, but smiled. “I might have to start again. I kind of like the idea. Only, this time it will be different.”

She certainly hoped so. “Maybe you’ll find someone to share your life with, and money won’t be your only love.”

He shook his head. “I can’t imagine that.”

“You might surprise yourself.”

Her father smiled at that. “Who knows. I’m more open to a lot of things this time around. But you, my daughter, you’re my greatest joy. I’ve always loved you more than making money.”

She smiled at that as he handed her back the Stafford Ranch.

A month later on a bright sunny day with fall in the air, Victoria and Ryder got married with both the McKennas and the Staffords in attendance, along with her father.

The day was perfect—just as Victoria knew it would be when Ryder put that ring on her finger and they promised their love to each other.

She was now part of the people of the Powder River basin. She had to swallow the lump in her throat as she was surrounded by family for the first time in her life. Ryder took her hand and she looked into his handsome face, seeing a future she’d dreamed of and couldn’t wait to start.

The two of them would be writing their own history in this beautiful place where the river flowed true and steady—just like the people who made their lives here.

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