Chapter 11 Ryder
Ryder
Istood outside the Nelson Ranch, waiting for Connor, convinced that he would never show.
Why would he? The man didn’t owe me anything and his promise to accompany me had been made while I was under duress.
Even now there was a thin layer of foundation on my jaw covering up the last vestiges of the bruise my father had given me.
Connor had been very upset when he saw it, but that didn’t mean he’d follow through.
Nobody else ever had.
How many guys had I dated through high school and college that had promised me they would stand up for me? Then, when the time came, they just disappeared. Not that I could blame them. My dad wasn’t the kind of person you stood up against easily. So why would Connor when he had so much to lose?
“It’s almost time, Ryder.”
I turned to see Evelyn approaching, dressed in a simple blue dress that somehow made her look ten years younger. Her silver hair was done up elegantly, and she wore a corsage of wildflowers on her wrist.
“They’re starting in about ten minutes,” she said, giving me a sympathetic look. I’d told her about Connor meeting me there. “Maybe he got caught up with something at the ranch.”
I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment. “Yeah, maybe.”
She squeezed my arm gently. “Well, I saved you a seat next to me. You don’t have to sit alone.”
I forced a smile. “Thanks, Evelyn.”
As she headed back toward the ceremony area, I glanced at my watch one more time.
The wedding was being held outside on Nelson Ranch property, under a white canopy decorated with twisting vines and wildflowers.
It was beautiful, elegant without being pretentious, and full of cheerful voices.
It was exactly what Cole and Jesse deserved.
I took a deep breath, trying to steel myself for walking in alone. I could do this. I’d faced my father’s wrath to be here. I’m sure I could handle sitting through a ceremony without Connor beside me.
“Sorry I’m late.”
The deep voice behind me sent a jolt through my system. I spun around and there he was, Connor Martin, looking nothing like the ranch hand I’d come to know over the past two months.
He wore a crisp white button-down shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders, tucked into dark jeans that were clearly new. His hair was neatly combed, and he’d trimmed his stubble into something that could almost pass for fashionable. I’d never seen him look so... put together.
“You came,” I said, unable to keep the surprise from my voice.
Connor’s eyes met mine, dark and steady. “I said I would.”
Those simple words hit me harder than I expected. I said I would. As if keeping his promise was the most natural thing in the world.
“You look...” I trailed off, taking him in again. “Different.”
A hint of a smile touched his lips. “Good different or bad different?”
“Good,” I said quickly. “Definitely good. Did you buy clothes for me?”
“I bought clothes for the occasion,” he corrected. “But I’m glad you like them.”
“You didn’t have to do that… you guys hardly get paid shit as it is… I can give you some money for them.”
Connor stepped forward, grabbing my chin between his thumb and index finger. “You look nice too.”
The firm hold on my chin was enough to tell me I didn’t need to worry about his clothes or his money. But the tremble in his hand told me that he was barely managing to hold himself back. “Thanks.”
“We should head in.”
I realized I was leaning in and forced myself to back away. “Right. Yes.”
Connor let me go and gestured for me to lead the way. I felt his reassuring presence behind me as we walked toward the rows of white chairs. Evelyn caught my eye and smiled knowingly when she saw Connor following me. She patted the empty seats beside her.
We settled into our chairs, Connor’s solid warmth next to me. I was acutely aware of every inch where our arms almost touched, of the faint scent of soap and aftershave that clung to him. He’d made an effort, and something about that made my chest tighten.
“Thank you,” I whispered as the music began. “For keeping your promise.”
Connor nodded. “I mean what I say.”
“Most people don’t,” I muttered in reply.
Connor’s eyes never left the front of the aisle, but I felt his leg press against mine ever so slightly.
The simple gesture grounded me in a way I couldn’t explain. Here was a man who had every reason to avoid complications, yet he’d shown up, anyway. For me. I fought the urge to lean into him, to chase that solid reassurance.
The music swelled, and everyone turned to watch as Cole and Jesse walked down the aisle together.
They both wore matching suits with wildflower boutonnieres, their faces alight with a happiness so pure it was almost painful to witness.
I’d known Cole for years. He’d always been kind to me, even when my father was at his worst. Jesse was a relatively new edition, but he was easy to like.
“They look happy,” Connor murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
“They are,” I whispered back. “Took them long enough to figure it out, though.”
As the ceremony began, I couldn’t help stealing glances at Connor. His profile was strong in the afternoon light, his expression thoughtful as he watched the proceedings. What was he thinking? Did he see himself ever having something like this? Did I?
The officiant spoke about love finding its way despite obstacles, about the courage it takes to be true to yourself. Each word seemed to hang in the air between Connor and me, charged with meaning neither of us was ready to acknowledge.
When Cole and Jesse exchanged vows, Connor’s hand brushed against mine on the armrest. It might have been accidental, but when I didn’t pull away, his pinky finger hooked over mine. We were barely touching, and yet it was the most intimate connection I’d felt in years.
“Love isn’t always easy,” the officiant said, “but it’s always worth fighting for.”
Connor’s finger tightened almost imperceptibly around mine. I held my breath, afraid that any movement might break whatever was happening between us.
The ceremony concluded with cheers and applause as the newlyweds kissed. I reluctantly pulled my hand away as we stood with the rest of the guests, clapping until my palms stung. When I glanced at Connor, he was watching me instead of the happy couple, something unreadable in his dark eyes.
“What?” I asked, suddenly self-conscious.
“Nothing,” he said, but his eyes said otherwise. “Just thinking.”
“About?”
He shook his head slightly. “Not here.”
The crowd began to move toward the reception area, where tables had been set up under strands of twinkling lights. Connor’s hand found the small of my back, innocently guiding me through the crowd with a gentle pressure that sent electricity up my spine.
“I should say congratulations,” I said, nodding toward Cole and Jesse, who were accepting well-wishes from a line of guests. “Want to come with me?”
Connor hesitated, his hand dropping from my back. “I don’t know them.”
“I’ll introduce you,” I offered. “You know Evelyn, so I’m sure they’ll want to meet you too.”
Connor seemed to consider it for a moment, his dark eyes scanning the crowd before returning to my face.
“Alright,” he finally said, “but just for a minute.”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I led him toward the happy couple.
It felt surreal having him here beside me, keeping his word when no one else ever had.
I found myself hyperaware of his presence.
I felt the subtle warmth radiating from him, the careful way he navigated through the guests, but he always stayed close enough that I felt protected but never so close that anyone would suspect anything inappropriate.
When we reached Cole and Jesse, they both broke into wide smiles.
“Ryder! You made it,” Cole exclaimed, pulling me into a quick hug. “Your dad told Evelyn you weren’t coming.”
“My dad says a lot of things,” I replied with a forced lightness. “Congratulations to both of you. The ceremony was beautiful.”
Jesse shook my hand warmly. “Thanks for coming. It means a lot, especially considering...”
He didn’t finish the sentence, but he didn’t need to. Everyone knew how my father felt about their relationship.
“I wanted to introduce you to someone,” I said, stepping aside slightly. “This is Connor. He works at our ranch.”
Connor extended his hand, his posture shifting subtly into something more formal. “Congratulations to you both. It was a lovely ceremony.”
“Connor’s one of the good ones,” I added, unable to stop myself from singing his praises. “Best roper we’ve had in years.”
Cole’s eyebrows raised slightly as he shook Connor’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Any friend of Ryder’s is welcome here.”
“Evelyn’s mentioned you,” Jesse added with a knowing smile that made me wonder exactly what she’d said. “Says you’re quite skilled with horses.”
Connor nodded, looking uncomfortable with the attention. “Just doing my job.”
“Well, we’re glad you could come,” Cole said warmly. “Please, enjoy yourselves. There’s food, drinks, dancing—the works.”
As we moved away to let the next guests offer their congratulations, I felt Connor relax slightly beside me.
“They seem nice,” he murmured.
“They are,” I confirmed. “Cole’s known me since I was a kid. His dad and mine used to be friends. He was always a bit like a big brother to me.”
Connor’s eyes softened at that. “Must be good to see him so happy then.”
“It is,” I nodded. “He deserves it. Both he and Jesse have been through enough. They both lost their mom’s at a young age.” My gaze dropped to the ground. “Something we have in common.”
Connor’s expression shifted, something gentle crossing his features. I hadn’t meant to bring up my mom, but it slipped out naturally. His hand moved toward mine but stopped just short of touching.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low and private. “About your mom.”