Page 63 of The Hookup
“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.
When Logan and his husband and son visited in October, the pumpkins were a huge hit. “I love the fact that Owen gets to grow up with this,” Logan said one afternoon, as he and I sat on the porch with mugs of hot cider. Ryder and Lucky were carving one jack-o-lantern after another for Owen, because the kid couldn’t get enough of them.
“It’s pretty great, isn’t it?”
“It really is.” My best friend glanced at me and added, “I was worried about whether you’d be able to adapt to country life, but you look happier and healthier than I’ve ever seen you. You’re not just surviving out here, you’re thriving.”
“I definitely am. That’s both because I’m madly in love with my amazing boyfriend, and because I’m truly enjoying living on the ranch. It just feels good out here.”
Logan nodded and said, “I’m already looking forward to our next visit.”
Even though it had been bittersweet to move away from my friends, I knew they’d always be an important part of my life. They visited when they could, and in between there were video calls, group texts, and plenty of reminders of the love we all shared.
A shiver pulled me back to the present. It was late November now, and fall was transitioning into winter. The garden had been put to bed until next spring, and there was a general sense of everything slowing down as the weather got cooler.
It was about an hour before sunset, which happened pretty early this time of year. I was standing on the porch, surrounded by dogs, and I waved as one of our helpers called goodbye and headed to his truck.
With my encouragement, Ryder had moved his ranch hand to a full-time schedule, hired Dwight’s cousin part-time, and was letting his former teammates help with the horses. All of that was necessary, because his road to recovery had been a long one.
As predicted, he’d tried to do too much too soon, and that had set him back a bit. After that, he finally allowed himself to slow down. He accepted help when it was offered, concentrated on physical therapy, and gave himself the time he needed to heal.
Even though his hip was as good as new now, we still had plenty of help on the ranch. He’d finally learned he could rely on other people and didn’t have to do everything on his own. That was huge, and I was really proud of him.
Letting his former teammates volunteer with the horses had also been a great way to keep in touch with them, since Ryderhad retired from rugby. We also got to see them regularly at cookouts, poker nights, and other get-togethers, which were usually organized by Tank. He joked that he’d become the group’s social secretary after he returned from the UK. He wasn’t wrong.
A smile spread across my face when Ryder stepped out of the stable and started heading toward the house. When he spotted me, he broke into a light jog and took the porch steps two at a time. I laughed as he literally swept me off my feet. He kissed me and said, “Hi, baby. Aren’t you getting cold out here?”
“A little, but it’s so nice out. There’s something in the air. Does it snow here?”
“Rarely, and when it does it’s usually just a light dusting.”
