Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“If you start putting your stuff online, maybe by posting clips from that fashion show, a lot of people will want to buy your clothes. Those sales could help fund the charitable side of your company.”
“Do you really think people would want to buy my stuff?”
“Of course. Your designs are incredible.” He said that like it was an absolute fact.
“I guess I’ll have to learn how to set up a business. I have no idea where to start.”
“Me neither, but between the two of us, I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
“Definitely. First though, we have to get you back on your feet.”
Ryder’s expression fell. “These next few months are going to suck. You should go home to San Francisco and come back once I’ve healed.”
“If the situation were reversed and I was the one with a long recovery ahead of me, is there any chance at all that you’d leave and make me go through it on my own?”
“Well, no. But—”
“But nothing. We’re facing this together, because that’s what couples do.”
He looked away and muttered, “I hate asking for help.”
“You need to get over that, Ryder. I know you’re used to being this big, strong guy, the team captain, Mr. Reliable. But it’s okay to need help, and it’s also okay to accept it when it’s offered. That’s not a sign of weakness.”
He still wasn’t looking at me, so I continued, “I know this runs deep with you. It’s pretty obvious that you’ve never wanted to rely on anyone, other than yourself. It’s why you do most of the work on the ranch, when I’m sure there are people who’d love to volunteer with the horses. You told me it took you years to hire Dwight, and he’s still just part-time because you’re more comfortable doing everything on your own. If it’s all on you, no one can let you down, right?”
When he didn’t say anything, I pressed on with, “I understand that, because I’ve always been the same way. I figured out early on that the only person I could truly count on was myself. My parents were never there for me. Not really. That became obvious when I was a scared, lonely teenager, on my own in New York and other unfamiliar places, put in all sorts of situations I wasn’t ready to handle.”
I added, as gently as I could, “Your parents weren’t there for you, either. They pawned you off on your grandparents, and while I know your grandma and grandpa adored you, you took care of them, not the other way around.
“That’s a lot for a kid, and it gets in there deep—the idea that the only person we can truly rely on is ourselves. I was reminded of it later on too, when I trusted my ex enough to move in with him and start planning a future, only to have him break my heart. You got the same reminder from your ex and your former best friend.”
His eyes were full of emotion when he met my gaze, and I told him, “All of that is a long way of saying I get it. I really do. We both stopped asking for help, because it gave people the power to let us down and hurt us. But I promise I won’t let you down. I’ll be right here by your side, not just during your recovery, but from now on.”
“Even if it means leaving San Francisco and your found family?”
“We’ll still be a family, no matter where I live.”
“I’m not trying to talk you out of this,” he said. “But have you really thought about what living on the ranch would mean for your career?”
“Yeah, I have. Now that I’ve let go of the idea of working for a big label, I can make my clothes anywhere. Austin can be my home base if I want to host public events, and like you said, I can promote my stuff online and sell bespoke pieces to people who want them.”
“I can build you a studio, so you’ll have room to work.”
“That would be wonderful.”
He searched my eyes and asked, “And you’re really, truly sure I’m what you want?”
“I’m absolutely positive. I love you with all my heart, Ryder, and I can’t keep living hundreds of miles away from you. I need to be able to reach out and touch you, and wake up beside you, and fall asleep with you every night. I want us to build a life together, and be there for each other in good times and bad.”
“I adore you, Hal.”
I took his hand and asked, “So, you’ll let me move in, and help you get better, and stay with you forever?”
His face lit up with a beautiful smile, and he said one perfect word.
“Yes.”
Epilogue: Hal
Six Months Later
Every season on the ranch brought new wonders. During the summer while Ryder was recuperating, I discovered a love of gardening and grew corn, tomatoes, and strawberries for us, along with so many flowers that our house was always full of beautiful, fragrant bouquets. At the same time, huge vines took off, producing fat, ripe pumpkins to enjoy in the fall.