How did he know what lay in Megan's heart? Were they destined to meet and become friends? Having never believed in fate or destiny, why did it pull at her heart?
"What do you we do now?" she asked. "Are you staying or returning to Florida?"
"It depends," Colby said, feigning interest.
"On what?"
"On you." He tried to hide his smile, but the charade shone through.
"Me?"
"Yes, you." He held her hands and stared into her eyes. Nervous at the closeness, Megan tried to look away, but their connection remained unbroken. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Her eyes grew wide, her mouth opened, but no sound came out. Had she heard correctly? Colby wanted to be her boyfriend. No. Really? This isn't happening. She looked around wondering if it was a dream. Everything seemed real, including his touch.
"You want to be my girlfriend?" he asked again.
"Yes." Megan smiled and said yes again. Colby picked her up and twirled her around. As he set her down, he leaned in and gave her a soft, tender kiss full of life. Megan returned the kiss, now knowing the meaning of riding with the wind and having no worries or fears. Colby gave her the opportunity to live in the present. The greatest gift she would ever receive.
"So, does this mean you're sticking around?" she asked.
"Yes."
Though ecstatic at his answer, reality set in and left Megan disappointed. "I leave for school next week."
"I can't visit? Or you don't come home for the holidays?"
"No. I didn't mean that." She backed away and said softly, "Do you want a long distance relationship?"
"I don't care, Megan," he said, pulling her to him. "You are the woman I want to share my dreams with. No, the future offers no guarantees, but I can give you today. Do you have a problem taking it one day at a time?"
"Thank you," she said, with a smile that held relief. "How do you know what I need?"
Colby took her hands and placed them against his lips. After he kissed them, he said, "Megan, dreams do come true. We may not fully understand the images, but life has a way of working out."
Everyone she had met at the ranch helped her rediscover herself and life. The best part was they never expected anything in return. "Dreams do come true when we least expect it," she thought.