The Ryland Rules Read online

  Praise for Harper B Conway

  It gave me all the feels. I laughed and cried several times and was on a wonderful, emotional journey until the end. It was beautifully written.

  V. B. EMANUELE

  This book is so beautiful, It puts life into perspective for so many reasons. My heart was torn out and put back together while reading this book. It's a love journey that you do not want to miss. If you’re a hopeless romantic like I am then you have to read this book. I love this author and have read all her books and can't wait for more.

  CANDACE

  The Ryland Rules

  HARPER B CONWAY

  First published Amazon/Amazon Kindle 2021 Copyright © 2021 by Harper B Conway

  Charshade Press Overhead

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. Harper B Conway asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. Harper B Conway has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book. Harper B Conway has no responsibility for any mental distress caused by forewarned material in this work

  Paperback ISBN: (9798755176446)

  Hardcover ISBN: ( 9798755244336)

  )Ebook ASIN (B09KLYC4SF)

  First edition

  Editing by Valentina Emanuele / Cover art by Kraken Artistry & HBC / Proofreading by Valentina Emanuele / Editing by Hana Blue C.

  To all the readers who stood by patiently waiting for this. This one is for you.

  Contents

  1. Drawing Lines

  2. Mountain Girl

  3. Going Home

  4. New Rules

  5. Hope Springs

  6. Foolish

  7. Icy

  8. Kisses Like Whiskey

  9. Drunk On You

  10. The Mathers Boy

  11. Growling

  12. Cold Cases

  13. Snow Flies

  14. Open Book

  15. Miami Bound

  16. Melodies & Memories

  17. Blue Sky Country

  18. Big Sky

  19. The Ryland Rules

  20. New Rule

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  CHAPTER ONE

  Drawing Lines

  There are some lines in life you should never cross. Some lines are drawn for you, and others you have to draw for yourself. They are the barrier between yourself and trouble, heartache, and pain. They are the rational walls you leave up to shelter you from yourself. Which was more my case as I was woken by a bright light radiating from the cabin kitchen. I rubbed my eyes sleepily. The crisp air trickling in from the windows wrapped around me, reminding me it was yet again another brisk fall in the wooded mountains of Montana. Pulling myself up to sit, I brushed my long, wavy blonde hair over my shoulders and stretched out my back. Wincing at the low ache.

  The living room where I had fallen asleep was dark, except for the golden glow coming from the other room. Yawning wide, I wondered how long I had been sleeping. Last I remembered, I was coming in from my hike with Rylee, completely and utterly exhausted. Legs sore and jelly-like. I must have passed out on the couch. I wasn’t as fit as I used to be when we made this annual trip as kids. When we were younger, I could run up and down the mountains without stopping for breath.

  Rising to my feet, I adjusted my flowing white shirt and cut-off jean shorts, which wrinkled mercilessly. I yawned again, the corners of my mouth aching as I shuffled my way towards the light. Groggily merging towards it like a moth, wondering if it was Rylee or her parents.

  Every year, I joined the Mathers family at their cabin, nestled into the dense forest of the mountains before the first snowfall. It was a tradition of sorts. Every year without fail, we would go up into the grand mountains to spend the month of November in the quiet. No internet other than our phones if we could get a signal. No distractions. Just peace. It was my favorite time of year, and many times I spent the rest of the year counting down the days until I could go back.

  Rubbing my eyes once more, I waited for them to adjust to the light. Blinking over and over as my vision cleared. Sighing sleepily, I came to the doorway of the kitchen, fully expecting to find Rylee in her Victoria’s Secret Pink sweatpants, hunting down a bag of chips. I stifled a gasp. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could have prepared me for what I stumbled into when I entered that doorway.

  Rippling muscles, glistening under the dim yellow light that hung from the ceiling as though he had just been swimming. An intricate tattoo trailing down a well-toned bicep, gilded by the afternoon’s sun. Corded muscle and a musky smell with a hint of pine and apples. I sucked in a sharp breath, biting back a gasp again. Standing before me with his back turned was my walking nightmare in nothing more than a pair of black sweats hanging dangerously low on his hips.

  Ryland fucking Mathers.

  Slowly, I began backing away from the kitchen, hoping he hadn’t heard me. Oh, I pray he hadn’t heard me. Please don’t have heard me! Creeping into the darkness I had just been sleeping in, I shuffled as quietly as I could on the old wood-plank floor, wishing I could bolt for my bedroom. I needed to get away from here, and I needed to do it quickly. Yet my legs felt like jello, wobbling and buckling as I struggled to pull my eyes away from the alluring sight before me. I shook my head, mustering up the bravery to run, and turned on my heels to dash back to the couch. My socks muffling the sound of my footsteps on the maple floorboards. Throwing myself back onto the couch, covering my eyes with my arm, I tried to catch a breath. My mind raced faster than it ever had before as I struggled to get hold of myself. I was practically hyperventilating. In a feeble attempt to soften the sound, I clamped my hand over my mouth, breathing only through my nose.

  I was young when I first met Ryland, when his little sister Rylee and I became friends. We were instantly thick as thieves, bonded over our mutual annoyance of her brother, four years our senior. In the beginning, he was nothing more than the annoying older brother who meddled in with our fun and played pranks on us with his friends. The overall, typical older sibling hijinks that made you want to slap him. He was embarrassing and rude. But as we got older…… things changed.

  The rude boy became a teenager. Fawned over by every girl that came into his presence. He became the resident bad boy of our little town and his reputation made him a celebrity. There wasn’t a troublesome thing he did that wasn’t aired out in front of the whole damn town. He was infamous in his own way. His drama was almost better to hear about than anything the local paper could print. He was the guy all the girls wanted and all the guys wanted to be. His confidence shook the world, and he left a wake of broken hearts around him.

  When I was finally old enough to recognize this, I was the last girl to in Hope Springs to notice his sinful ch
arms. And by then—— well, it didn’t matter. I had been so jaded over the years, watching him rip through his groupies like they were nothing. A new toy on his arm every other day, each of them sent away with tears in their eyes. Girls came and went, befriending Rylee and me just to get within a foot of his massive aura. Only to shove us aside as soon as he was done with her, too. It was tiring.

  I remembered all too clearly the first night that I felt myself falling into the trap that was Ryland Mathers. I was sixteen, actually; it was my Sweet Sixteenth birthday party. Like years before, the Mathers threw me an enormous party, helping my dad out since he had to work two jobs. Being a single dad made it hard for him to always be there. So Rylee’s family took me in under their wing and helped whenever they could. This party being no different.

  I spent that entire night crying because of my boyfriend. A worthless excuse for a human being. I couldn’t enjoy my party, I was too broken and sick—— I wasn’t able to fake it either. I was miserable to the core. I felt like they had ripped my heart right out of my chest. He had cheated and then had the audacity to come to the party anyway, with the girl on his arm, no less. Sure, I kicked him out, but that didn’t kick out the sting in my heart. Much to my surprise, Ryland was the one who came to my rescue. For hours he stayed with me, sitting out on the back porch, listening to me cry and complain. Offering advice. The best that he could, that is.

  He could have been doing anything. Hanging out with his new college buddies, having a beer at the local dive bar with his fake ID, taking a nap——anything. But he stayed there with me. Sitting on the stoop with one arm around my shoulders as I sobbed. I had never talked to him before then, not like that at least. Even so, I couldn’t help but feel better with him there. The caring way he spoke to me, comforted me—— held me close as he told me I deserved better. It was then. That very night, I felt a twinge inside of me I knew I would regret. That night. Right under the stars. I made myself a set of rules. Five, to be exact. A line I drew, not only to protect my heart, but to preserve my friendship with Rylee. Five simple rules, my line on the sand.

  Rule 1: Never be alone with Ryland.

  Being alone only meant trouble for my fragile heart. I didn’t want the be another number. I didn’t want to be another foolish girl stumbled too close. I couldn’t be.

  Rule 2: Never make eye contact with Ryland.

  His eyes were like the pits of hell. So dark and brooding, dragging you down. Tempting you like the apple to Eve. It was a sweet as honey trick I would not fall for.

  Rule 3: Make nothing more than small talk with Ryland.

  He had a sharp tongue. He knew what to say and when to say it. Just as he did when he talked me down at sixteen. I knew all too well if we talked, I would humanize him. Then subsequently become attached.

  Rule 4: Do not touch him or let him touch you. EVER!

  No hugs or anything else. Even the friendliest touch would be enough to send lightning down my spine. It was too much of a risk. It was far more dangerous than facing an illicit drug. You know it’s addictive, and it only takes once. Just a little bit to wreck you completely.

  Rule 5: Never tell Rylee that you are hopelessly in love with her brother.

  “Melody? Are you awake?” A husky voice pulled me from my trip down memory lane. A voice I knew more than I knew my own. It was burned so beautifully in my mind, I could hear it states away. Swallowing hard, I pretended to be asleep with my arm still draped over eyes. I didn’t have to see him to know he was closer. I could feel it in every nerve. My body helplessly aware of where he was like a beacon. A magnetic pull——pulling me dangerously towards him. “Melly?” He called out in a deep hushed tone, using my nickname like a friend. He was most certainly not my friend, not by a long shot.

  Despite myself, the sound drew me in like a siren’s call. Beyond my own will, I moved my arm away from my face and rolled to the side. Partially hiding my face behind the pillow of the green plaid couch. The dark silhouette in the kitchen doorway took my breath away. I heard a low chuckle rumble from the sizable shadow; watching as his stance leaned into the frame. One leg crossed over the other. That same, cool, collected attitude that radiated all the confidence in the world poured from every pore. It was addicting to be around, making you feeling powerful and important. Like nothing could go wrong as long as he was standing nearby.

  “I thought I heard you up.” He finally said as my breath caught in a lump blocking my throat. “Hungry?” He asked, tilting his head back towards the kitchen. Motioning me to come over there with a wave of his hand.

  Sitting up, I yawned again. I didn’t have a chance to decline before my stomach betrayed me and loosed an impossibly loud rumble. Earning me a throaty chuckle that tingled down my spine, warning me to run away. Far, far away. Then again, my stomach growled and roared, so loud I swore I’d die of embarrassment. Why did my human needs have to betray me now? I had slept through lunch, and I found my stomach pleading for food, or something more. I closed my eyes and sighed. Yes. It was so much more, but food would have to do. That’s all I could afford.

  “Come on Melly. I’ll make you a sandwich too.”

  Before I could think on it too long, I was on my feet, wiggling my toes in my socks nervously. Hopelessly, I was drawn into the kitchen again. Approaching the man in the doorway, my heart pounded violently. The glow of the light bouncing off his deep hazel eyes made them look like magical pools. Full of secrets and wonder. His shaggy blackish-brown hair was messy, with stray pieces poking out in various directions, looking disheveled and wild. Just like he was—— wild—trouble, a mistake.

  Turning his back to me once more, he led me into the kitchen, returning to the counter I had seen him by before. I felt myself hyperventilate again. My entire body sparking wildly as though I had been hit by lightning. Gripping my chest, I forced myself to take some deep breaths. All I needed to do was breathe. Positioning myself on the far end of the kitchen by the large oak table that dominated the left side of the rustic wooden space, I fidgeted. Watching pathetically as every muscle of his back rolled like the waves of the ocean while he gathered up the ingredients. His movements so fluid and hypnotizing, no matter how simple. Before I knew it, I was staring at him shamelessly, my eyes wandering without restraint.

  It had been over two years since I saw him last, and I swore his perfection only became more apparent. He was always eye-catching and effortlessly sexy, but he only seemed to get worse. Between fresh ink and bulking up over that time, he was more than irresistible. Only making it harder for me to keep myself at bay.

  “So…” I hummed, clasping my hands in front of me. Picking at the peach polish on my thumbnail. “What time is it, anyway?”

  “One-ish. Maybe two.” He said, a humorous tone rolling from the hauntingly beautiful voice. “You’ve been on the couch since noon.”

  I untangled my hands to rub the back of my neck, brushing the rest of my hair over one of my shoulders, purely out of habit. “Uh. Yeah. That hike wore me out. I didn’t think I was that out of shape.” I forced a laugh that couldn’t sound more insincere.

  Raising a brow, he looked back at me from over his shoulder. My heart stopped. Then he looked back to the counter and my breath returned to me. “I disagree.” He shrugged. “Out of practice maybe.”

  “Maybe.” I practically whispered, rolling my teeth over my lower lip as the awkward silence began again.

  Shifting my weight from one foot to the other, my eyes traced every muscle of his back again. He looked every once of his reputation, that much was for sure. I zoned out, wondering what would happen if I reached out and touched him. My cheeks flushed at the thought. My fingertips began tingling, snapping me out of it. Clasping my hands again, I twirled my fingers around themselves.

  “What do you want on it?” He asked, startling me.

  My jaw that I didn’t know had hung slack, snapped shut. My teeth clicking together. “What?”

  “Sandwich? What do you want on it? Mayo? Mustard? Wha
t?”

  I wet my lower lip, still very much entranced by the sight in front of me. “You.” I muttered under my breath. Immediately, my eyes shot open wide, and I clasped my hands over my mouth, praying he hadn’t heard me. To my dismay, he slowly turned, his piercing eyes pinning me in place as he narrowed them. My chest heaved gradually, my whole body set ablaze. Caught under his powerful gaze, he left me more than aware of myself. Where I was. Where he was. The warm rush plummeting between my legs.

  I sucked in a breath through my nose and gently released it through parted lips. “Mayo.” I chirped. A not so eloquent save. “Not a fan of mustard. Mayo is fine.”

  He leaned back into the counter, his arms crossed tight over his chest. “That’s not what you said.” He raised a brow.

  I gulped. “Pretty sure it was.” The words tumbled out unconvincingly as I held my breath. Forcing myself to seem calm despite the raging storm of embarrassment pooling within me.

  Pushing himself off the counter, he continued to paralyze me with those impossibly deep eyes. Taking a step closer, his gaze flashed over my face and body like he was searching for something. I couldn’t tell what, but I could tell that my face and chest were flushing as a raging fire burned under my skin, scalding everywhere his eyes landed.

  Pulling my lips between my teeth, I did the only thing I could think of. I began chanting the rules in the back of my mind. I would keep chanting them until I could will myself away. Until my ears bled. I had to! It was my line, and I drew it.