Page 14 of Ryder (Heart River Valley: Montana Protectors #3)

Dana – Six Months Later

The Montana sunset paints the sky in shades of pink and gold as I drive the familiar road to the ranch. My hands shake slightly on the steering wheel—partly from exhaustion after weeks of filming, partly from excitement to finally share my news.

Ryder doesn’t know I’m coming home today. I’ve kept the finale air date secret, wanting to surprise him. Wanting to see his face when I tell him…

The guest house kitchen lights are on. Of course he’s been keeping it ready, just like he promised. Six months of flying back and forth between filming, and he’s kept every promise. Supporting my dreams while making sure I always have a home to come back to.

I touch the winner’s check in my pocket, smiling as I remember the judges’ faces when they tasted my final showstopper—a tribute to Heart River that even makes Gordon Ramsay emotional.

The door opens before I can reach it, and there he is. My heart does that familiar flip at the sight of him, even after all this time.

“Sugar.” His voice is rough as he pulls me into his arms. “Didn’t expect you until tomorrow.”

“Surprised?” I melt into him, breathing in leather and sunshine and home.

“Always.” He kisses me deeply, like he’s making up for lost time. “Though not as surprised as you’re about to be.”

“What do you mean?”

He steps back, takes my hand. “Come with me.”

The kitchen has been transformed. Fairy lights twinkle everywhere, and rose petals lead to the center island where…

My breath catches. A perfect recreation of my first-ever Hearts & Grinds cinnamon roll sits on a silver plate. But in the center, nestled in swirls of cream cheese frosting…

A ring.

“Ryder...”

“Hear me out.” His voice shakes slightly as he pulls me closer. “Six months ago, I was too scared to admit how much you meant to me. Too afraid of complicated feelings, of taking risks.”

Tears blur my vision as he goes down on one knee.

“But loving you?” He takes my hands in his. “That’s the least complicated thing I’ve ever done. It’s as natural as breathing. As simple as sugar and spice.”

“Are you comparing our love to baking?” I manage through happy tears.

“Hey, I learned from the best.” His smile is soft. “The point is... I don’t want uncomplicated. I want forever. With you. Building dreams and testing recipes and making this life ours.”

“Yes.” The word bursts out before he can even ask.

His eyes light up. “I didn’t get to the question yet.”

“Don’t care.” I pull him up, into my arms. “Yes. Always yes.”

He laughs against my mouth, sliding the ring onto my finger before kissing me properly.

“I win, by the way,” I murmur between kisses. “The show.”

“Of course you do.” He lifts me onto the counter, settling between my legs. “Never doubted it for a second. Now...” His hands slide under my shirt. “How about we celebrate both pieces of good news?”

“Here?” I gasp as his lips find my neck. “In our test kitchen?”

“Soon to be your professional workspace.” He pulls back just enough to meet my eyes

“Though maybe we should christen it first...”

Later, much later, we lie tangled together on the floor, surrounded by rose petals and discarded clothes.

“Hey Ryder?”

“Mmm?”

“I love you. Even when you’re being ridiculous.”

“Especially then?”

I touch the ring on my finger, smiling. “Especially then.”

*****