Chapter 12

The horizon is a colorful masterpiece, but I can"t fully enjoy it. Not yet. It"s my last day here, and my chest tightens with a blend of sadness and anticipation.

"Jules, you ready?" Ryan calls from the porch, his voice pulling me back to the present.

"Almost!" I kick off my boots, swapping them for heels that feel foreign after days in cowboy country. My reflection stares back at me from the mirror, green eyes brighter against the red curls I"ve let fall loose around my shoulders.

"Never thought I"d see the day," I mutter to myself. A chuckle escapes me as I exchange my workaholic armor for this soft, flowy dress that whispers over my skin like a promise.

"Look at you." Ryan leans against the doorframe, all casual strength and easy charm. His black hair is combed back, and that beard of his is trimmed just enough to mean business.

"Look at you," I shoot back, letting my gaze wander over him. He"s swapped out his usual ranch attire for something that fits him like it"s made only for tonight. He"s still the tough-looking guy who loves his solitude, but there"s an elegance to him now that hints at more than he lets on.

"Never thought I"d wear something like this again," he admits, his blue eyes catching the last light of day.

"It suits you, though," I confess, thinking of how his look tonight matches my high-powered suits hanging in my Houston closet.

"Shall we?" He offers his arm, and I take it, feeling the calluses on his hand, reminders of his life here.

"Let"s make this night unforgettable," I say, allowing myself to lean into him, to feel the warmth of his body next to mine.

"Unforgettable," he echoes, and there"s a promise in his voice that sends a shiver down my spine.

We step out into the remaining daylight, and I know that whatever comes next, this moment — the gentle pressure of his arm, the soft sigh of the land, and the feeling of being on the cusp of something new — will stay with me forever.

"Julia, close your eyes," Ryan murmurs, his breath warm against my ear.

"Are we playing a game?" I ask, my heart flipping in my chest.

"Trust me," he says. I can almost hear the smile in his voice. How can I not do as he asks?

I close my eyes, and he guides me forward. We stop, and I feel the gravel beneath my heels shift to smooth stone. "Okay, open them."

My eyes flutter open to a scene that steals the breath from my lungs. A helicopter sits in the field ahead, its blades slowly turning, casting an opulent silhouette against the twilight sky.

"Ryan," I start, but no other words come.

"Surprise," he says, his hand squeezing mine. "Our date is a little... unconventional."

"Is that ours?" My voice is barely above a whisper.

"Only for tonight," Ryan chuckles. There"s a glint of mischief in his eyes.

We approach the helicopter, and the pilot greets us with a nod. I"m helped into the seat, the leather cool and soft against my skin. As we lift off, the ranch shrinks beneath us, a patchwork quilt of earth and green.

"Julia, there"s something I need to tell you," Ryan says once we"re airborne, his voice steady over the hum of the engine.

"More surprises?" I ask, my pulse racing.

"Kind of," he replies. "I haven"t been completely honest with you about who I am."

"Ryan?" The question hangs between us, heavy as the setting sun.

"I"m not just some guy who works on a ranch and does woodworking." He pauses, taking a deep breath. "I"m a former real estate developer from Dallas. And... a multi-billionaire."

The world tilts, and it has nothing to do with the helicopter. "A billionaire?" I echo, stunned.

He nods, his gaze never leaving mine. "I left that life behind after realizing it wasn"t what made me happy. After I had a major heart attack, almost died, and had to lay in a bed for weeks, recovering."

"Wow," is all I can manage, the pieces of him falling into place, fitting together like a puzzle I couldn"t solve until now.

"Does this change things for you?" His voice is laced with vulnerability.

"No," I say, surprising myself with the certainty in my voice. "It doesn"t change how I feel about you, Ry. But why tell me now?"

"Because I wanted you to know the man behind the beard and the boots first," he explains. "And because I care about you, Jules. More than I thought possible."

The helicopter banks gently, revealing a cityscape alight with a million twinkling stars below us. It"s beautiful, but it pales in comparison to the man beside me and the honesty in his eyes.

"Thank you for trusting me with your truth," I say, reaching for his hand. "Now let"s enjoy our last night together."

"Deal," Ryan agrees, and as we soar towards the city, I realize that this man, this night, might just be the biggest surprise of my life.

The helicopter touches down on the rooftop of a high-rise in the center of the Dallas skyline, and as we step out, Ryan"s hand finds mine, warm and reassuring. He leads me to the edge, where a single table for two waits, bathed in the soft glow of candlelight.

"Your last surprise," he says with a chuckle that rumbles through his chest.

My heart flutters like the delicate flames flickering before us. "It"s beautiful, Ry."

"Nothing but the best for my girl."

"Your girl, huh?" I tease, loving the sound of that more than I should admit.

"Only if you want to be," he replies, pulling out a chair for me.

"Let"s see how the night goes," I say, settling into the seat. "So far, you"re scoring major points."

"Good to know," he grins and takes his place across from me.

"Tell me about the heart attack," I urge gently, needing to understand the man who"s stolen my heart.

He exhales, the playfulness fading into seriousness. "It was a wakeup call," he begins. "One day, I"m this hotshot developer making deals, next thing I know, I"m flat on my back thinking it"s the end."

"That must"ve been terrifying," I whisper.

"It was," he admits. "But it showed me life"s too short to chase things that don"t bring you joy. So, I traded skyscrapers for open skies, board meetings for barn chores, and... well, stress for serenity."

"Wow, Ry," I breathe out, moved by his candor. "I"ve been so wrapped up in work, aiming for that billion-dollar mark, thinking it would make me happy..."

"Does it?" He leans forward, gaze intense.

"Starting to think maybe it doesn"t," I confess, feeling the weight of my own revelation.

"Then come live with me, Jules. Trade your spreadsheets for sunsets, conference calls for horseback rides. Be my partner in this simple life."

My heart races, desire and fear warring within me. Could I really do it? Leave everything behind?

"Say yes, Julia," he urges, his blue eyes alight with hope.

"Give me time to think," I plead. "We've only known each other a week. That's a little jumping the gun. Don't you think?"

"Of course," he agrees, giving my hand a squeeze. "No pressure. Just know, whatever you decide, tonight changed nothing and everything all at once."

"Changed everything," I echo, knowing in my heart that whatever I decide, my life will never be the same again.

We step out onto the balcony of a high-rise building, overlooking the sparkling cityscape of Dallas. Below us, the world carries on at a dizzying pace, but up here, it's as if we've stepped into a different universe—a bubble of luxury that Ryan has carefully orchestrated for our time together.

"Beautiful," I admire, gazing down at the shimmering lights.

"Only the best for you, Jules," Ryan says with a wink. He leads me to the table set for two, with crystal glasses and an array of dishes that look more like art than food. The scent of truffles and saffron wafts in the air, mingling with the subtle fragrance of fresh roses that adorn the center of the table.

"Is this really happening?" I ask, laughing in disbelief as I take a seat.

"Believe it, darlin'." Ryan grins and pours us each a glass of champagne. "To new beginnings."

"New beginnings," I echo, clinking my glass against his.

The meal is exquisite, each course outdoing the last, and I can"t help but marvel at how seamlessly Ryan has transitioned from cowboy boots to billionaire"s loafers. It"s disarming, watching him navigate this world with such ease. Yet there's a warmth to him that tells me he hasn't forgotten the value of simple pleasures.

"Feeling full?" Ryan asks as dessert concludes and I lean back, patting my stomach.

"Stuffed. And thoroughly impressed," I confess, meeting his gaze.

"Then I suppose it"s time for our high-class ride back to the ranch," he says, standing and extending his hand.

I take it, and together we walk to the private elevator waiting to whisk us away. As the doors open, I"m greeted by the sight of a white stretch limousine, its interior softly lit and inviting.

"Ryan!" I exclaim, half-laughing, half-awestruck. "You"re full of surprises."

"Wait until you see the inside," he teases, helping me into the limo.

The seats are buttery leather, and there"s a bar stocked with top-shelf spirits. A partition separates us from the driver, ensuring privacy. Ryan pours us each a drink, and I curl up next to him, feeling like a character in some glitzy romance novel.

"Cheers, to a night of indulgence," he says, raising his glass.

"Cheers," I reply, still trying to wrap my head around the surreal evening.

As the limousine glides through the streets, I lean against Ryan, his arm wrapped around me. The hum of the engine is soft, the ride smooth as silk. We talk and laugh, sharing stories, and for a moment, I forget about my fears and my company. I"m just Julia, not the powerhouse entrepreneur, enjoying the company of a man who sees the world from a perspective I'm only beginning to understand.

"Thank you, Ry," I say sincerely. "Tonight was... incredible."

"Jules, as long as I"m with you, it doesn"t matter if it"s a gala or a barn dance. The company makes the evening," he replies, his voice tender.

The limo turns onto a gravel road, the lights of the ranch coming into view. My heart swells with a mixture of emotions—excitement, apprehension, and an unmistakable sense of coming home.

"Here we are," Ryan announces as the car comes to a stop.

"Home," I whisper, more to myself than to him.

"Or at least, it could be," he adds softly, looking at me with hope in his eyes.

"Maybe. I do realize that we've only known each other a week," I concede, allowing myself to imagine a future I never thought I"d consider. A life less complicated, but perhaps, infinitely richer.

"Let"s go inside," Ryan suggests, his hand finding mine. "Our billionaire-style date may be over, but something tells me the adventure is just beginning."

"Lead the way," I reply, ready to follow him anywhere.