Rivals In Love (Wild Creek Ranch Book 5)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

After a very disturbing night, Georgia woke up early in the morning. Quickly freshening up, she thought of visiting their dairy farm to check what was actually happening there. She drove all the way to the dairy farm and took an update on everything. Greg joined her after some time as she checked with the vet about the kind of treatment going on. She checked the condition of the animals and the kind of milk output from the rest of the livestock. She checked their living conditions and the type of feed that they were being given.

After thorough research, she visited their state's Food And Agriculture Development Center at the marketplace to discuss the probable ways to combat the problem. Greg too accompanied her and they soon learned everything that they needed to combat the disease.

It was a very busy day as experts from Montana's FADC helped them to first segregate the healthy cattle from the infected ones. Since the disease spread because of feeding contaminated feeds, such as stored forages that were cut too low to the ground in contaminated areas, they completely changed the stored forages. It was already evening by the time they were done for the day. After a brief visit to check up on Brian, Georgia returned to her home. Brian was improving but hadn't gained consciousness because of excessive blood loss when he had slit his wrists to commit suicide.

As Georgia was about to unlock her apartment, she remembered she needed some grocery and food items for herself. So she drove to the departmental store and parked her car. Getting out, she walked into the huge departmental store of Fordsville. She had nearly completed her shopping and billing when she saw Ryan walking into the store. He hadn't seen her yet and Georgia tried to be as inconspicuous as possible and hid behind a customer as she waited for her purchase to be packed up.

She noticed Ryan looked more mature than before. In fact, he looked very good, taller and more muscular. Georgia was sure that he must be in a relationship by now. How could someone so good-looking still be single? So it was best if she could sneak away and not catch his attention.

'As if he'd recognize you!' said her inner voice.

Georgia quietly slipped out of the store and loaded all her purchases into her car. She was glad that she didn't need to talk to Ryan, but deep in her heart, there was a dull pain, a feeling of dejection. She made some sandwiches for herself for dinner and went to bed. It was a lonely life, and she longed for the warmth of someone's arms. The years of training to strengthen her mind and body crumbled to dust as she felt a vacuum deep within her. Seeing him again made the love that was lying dormant in the deepest corners of her heart come alive again.

Unknown to Georgia, Ryan had actually seen Georgia after five years at the departmental store, but before he could approach her, she disappeared. Was he hallucinating, or was she really there? Did it mean she was back?

A strange excitement filled his whole body, and he dashed out of the store to look for her, but she had already disappeared from his sight. His heart thundered in his chest as he scanned the entire vicinity. He was sure that he hadn't imagined her.

He went home in a daze and asked Ryder, who knew everything that was happening at Fordsville from his vast network of friends.

"Maybe she's here to see Brian. He's in the hospital as he tried to commit suicide," informed Ryder with a shrug.

"Why did he need to commit suicide?" asked a baffled Ryan. Ryder gave him a look.

"Which world are you in, dude? Don't you know that McLean's dairy farm is on the brink of bankruptcy after a lot of their cattle developed anthrax?" asked Ryder. Ryan shook his head slowly. He had no idea about all this.

"Maybe Georgia returned to help with the business," suggested Ryder. Ryan nodded. So he really had seen Georgia. She was back for real.

For the next three days, Georgia was very busy at the farm. They appointed a team of vets to vaccinate the healthy cattle and administer a hefty dose of antibiotics to the infected ones. With the help of the officials of the FADC, they resorted to proper disposal of mortalities to help limit the spread and recurrence of anthrax. Georgia spent the money her dad had transferred to her account to buy new healthy cattle and everything started looking hopeful again. Greg thanked her again and again for everything that she was doing for them.

"I want you to stay in Fordsville, Georgia. Please help with the business. I'll complete the legal formalities to include you too in the partnership," offered Greg. Georgia declined.

"Let Brian get better. Don't do such a thing without consulting him. I want no more misunderstandings in my life."

"If Brian doesn't agree to this, then I'll return the money that you invested, Georgia," offered Greg. Georgia could see that Lynne was right. Greg had changed a lot in the last five years.

"We'll see about that," she shrugged. "So how's Brian?" she asked curiously. After seeing Ryan, Georgia knew she couldn't stay in Fordsville for long without colliding with him and she wanted to avoid that at all costs. While Ryan might have moved on from her, she hadn't, and she didn't want him to figure that out. So, since the business was looking hopeful, she waited for Brian to get better, too. Then she would return to Laramie and continue with her life there.

"Brian's gained consciousness this morning," said Greg, with a smile of relief on his face. "He's stable now. I think he'll improve." Georgia nodded but didn't tell Greg about her plans to leave Fordsville yet.

For the next few days, Ryan impatiently scanned the marketplace for Georgia. He was hardly at home or at work. The whole day he roamed about like a lost soul in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Georgia somewhere. He watched the McLean's house from afar, but strangely he saw no sign of Georgia anywhere. He was frustrated and impatient, yet he didn't give up hope of seeing Georgia.

However, his wish soon came true, and he saw her at the marketplace three days later. She was at the florist buying a beautiful bouquet of red roses. He stood outside, staring at her. She looked lovelier than before in a pale lemon-yellow sundress. She came out of the shop and bumped straight into him. A 1000 volts of electric charge shot through his body at the collision.

"Georgia," he said, as if in a daze. Georgia looked up at him with troubled eyes that mirrored a lot of pain and shock.

She was horrified to see him from so near. His touch on her arms made her tremble and all her courage and determination to stay aloof crumbled to dust. She had never imagined she would meet him again so soon. The bouquet that she had bought for her mom's grave fell from her hands. Her eyes glistened with tears seeing him after so many years. He had grown up, his body had filled in so well. He looked more handsome than he ever did. Her heart swelled as she felt an immense surge of raw feelings surge through her body. Her heart recognized him. She still loved him so much and seeing him suddenly right in front of her made her upset.

"Where did you go away, Georgia?" he asked in a hoarse voice. Georgia came out of her trance.

The words and the insult the professor had lashed out at her suddenly rang in her ears. She stooped down, picked up her bouquet, and ran to her car, leaving Ryan gaping after her. She drove away without looking back, wiping the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. Ryan stood transfixed on the spot. He wanted to run after her; he wanted to apologize for hurting her, but couldn't.

Seeing the tears in her eyes reminded him of the day, five years ago, when he had lost her. However, one thing made him a little hopeful. She hadn't forgotten him. He was sure she hadn't moved on. If she had, then she would have behaved indifferently to him. This hope made him feel a little better, and he went back home, thinking of a way to see her again and apologize. He had to meet her. Her behavior made him realize just how much he had hurt her.

But if his guess was correct, and she hadn't moved on, then he would again try to win her over. He wanted her and this time he would confess his feelings for her. He didn't care about her brothers anymore, and neither did he care about their business rivalry!