Yellowstone

Chapter 9 - Cowboys From Hell

"Mmm..." A soft hum came from Elisabeth's throat as she opened her eyes. Her hat was slouched down, covering her eyes and blocking her view. She took it off and glanced around, realizing that she had fallen asleep in the barn and spent the night in Milo's stall.

She looked down, noticing that Milo had his head in her lap.

"Mornin' buddy." She mumbled, running her fingers through his jet black forelock. She leaned up against the wall and slid out from under him, being careful of his head. Gently, she brushed the shavings off of her clothes and left the barn.

"Damn... no wonder my feet hurt. I slept in my goddamn boots." She grumbled.

Elisabeth put her hat back on and limped her way back to the bunkhouse, easily slipping inside.

"Well there ya are." Rip spoke up. "Where were you?"

Elisabeth took her hat off and ran a hand through her hair. "Fell asleep in the barn." She murmured.

"Of fuckin' course you did." Lloyd huffed, taking a sip of his coffee. "Be nice, ya old fart." She snapped, lightly swatting him. "I was tired."

Rip chuckled at their interaction. "Alrighty." Elisabeth huffed. "What's on the schedule today?" She asked Rip. "Same as usual. The fence has a few new nicks so you and Ryan are gonna go up and patch those." She nodded. "Then the cattle?" Rip nodded to confirm her question.

"Gotcha." Rip discussed everyone's roles for the day for a just few more minutes. "Alright. We good? Everyone understand?" He asked after finishing. All the hands nodded.

"Ok then. Let's head out."

Everyone dispersed at his words, heading to the barn to fetch their horses.

Elisabeth took Milo and quickly saddled him before riding out and waiting for Ryan just outside of the barn. He came out after a couple minutes, sitting up on Andorra's back.

"C'mon. Let's go."

The horses cantered off, heading to their first destination. They cut through a pasture, not wanting to risk going through the woods after what had happened with Ryan, Walker and Jimmy.

"What's up with Rip?" Ryan asked as they slowed the horses to take a walk break. "Hell, I don't know. Could be anything at this point." She replied.

"Beth's getting a little risky on the business side of things. So maybe he's concerned for the well-being of the ranch." Elisabeth suggested. Ryan didn't quite understand how the business side of ranching worked, but he knew it was important.

"Whatever it is, if it's stressing out Rip of all people, then it's gotta be something bad." She concluded. They started to canter again, this time letting the horses set their own pace.

*~*~*~*~*

Meanwhile, Rip was sitting up on a bay coated gelding, observing everyone as they worked. He had kept a particularly close watch on Walker ever since the night at the bar. Deep down, he knew that Walker had it bad for the female of the bunkhouse.

But Walker wasn't the only one.

Rip had recently become aware of Jamie's feelings towards her as well. Beth had told him that. She told him a lot.

Rip wasn't sure how to feel.

His brotherly instincts were to keep all the male attention away from her, but she wasn't a child. He couldn't do that. He had been brought up on the ranch alongside Elisabeth.

They weren't connected through blood, but the bond they had was something that John had created. And Rip would be forever thankful for it.

"Walker!" He called. The raven-haired man looked up. Rip jerked his head, motioning for Walker to follow with his horse.