Page 74 of Keep Me

Field?

“Yes,” Ryker interjects quickly. “She’s never been, and I wanted to surprise her.”

The older man’s eyes crinkle, a knowing look in his eyes. “Say no more. I’ve been there. Why do you think I built this place? My wife wanted a place to look at the stars surrounded by her favorite flowers. God bless her soul, she left me last June.”

And now I’m going to cry. “I’m so sorry,” I offer my condolences.

“Thank you.” He coughs. “Lottie was everything and still is. She’s here with me, in the flowers and stars. And, of course, in our kids. But anyways, you two go have fun. This ride’s on me.”

“No, I—” Ryker attempts to protest, but the owner stops him.

“Don’t worry about it, son, go on up there and just be. Enjoy it and each other’s presence.”

We both thank him and proceed toward the gondola lift, my heart heavier yet lighter with each step. That old man just made my heart break and mended it back together in two seconds. He deserves all the best in life.

As we make our way to the top of the mountain, we’re both quiet and take in the stunning scenery around us. There’s a silent buzz brewing between us in the cabin, the same one I feel in my stomach every time I’m with him.

Ryker slides up next to me, his pinky interlocking with mine. I exhale deeply at the comfort of the contact, and he inhales sharply.

The top of the mountain becomes visible, and the sight before me steals the breath out of my lungs.

It’s a field of lavender.

Nothing feels real as Ryker ushers me off the gondola with a hand on my lower back. My eyes flit around the expansive field, full of differing shades of purple, all surrounded by a metal fence. There’s a rocking bench made out of wood, wrapped in fairy lights that I imagine would look breathtaking at night.

I turn on the spot, taking in the view from being this high up. I can see a mass of green trees in the distance, as well as other mountains. It’s like the city is gone, the only thing around us being nature.

It’s beautiful and perfect.

Taking a step forward, I bend down and run my hands through the flowers, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me like never before.

“Wow,” Ryker breathes, taking in our surroundings.

“It’s stunning. I can’t believe this is real,” I murmur, sitting on the grass, careful not to sit on any flowers.

“I know,” he says, looking right at me.

My heart swells, overcome with the love I feel for him. Staring into his eyes causes my chest to fill with warmth, while my mind whirls at the fact that he exists, and I get to be in his orbit by some lucky chance.

“Come here,” I tell him, my voice hazy and filled with a desire so strong that I might burn this field down if he doesn’t give me what I need, which is his body next to mine.

Ryker sits alongside me, pulling me in between his legs, my back to his front as we look out at the field in front of us.

“Thank you so much for this, for today. You were there for me with no questions asked. I appreciate you for it,” I tell him, stroking the hair on his forearms.

“You’re welcome.” He kisses the top of my head. “But if you want to talk about it, I’m here to listen.”

I debate it in my head, quickly deciding that it’s best if he knows what’s going on. My voice threatens to shake, but I maintain my composure. If Ryker knows I’m scared, he’ll be on guard more than he already is. “The clip of me getting hit by that ball went viral, and my parents saw it. They know I’m here.”

His hold on me tightens. “What? How do you know?”

“Quentin has a PI on his payroll, and they hacked my parents’ PI guy…yeah, it’s shady work, I know,” I joke. “But yeah, they found the video on their laptop. Meaning my parents have seen it.”

He’s silent for a beat as a light breeze washes over us, wafting the scent of lavender.

“So what happens now?” he asks carefully.

I shrug in his arms, looking out into the differing lavenders planted amongst the grass. “Nothing really, not until we know what they plan to do with that information. My brother’s team is on high alert now, watching my parents’ every move. I won’t know anything until they see movement, like travel plans to come here or something.”

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