Cowboy Kind of Love

Dropout

We landed and he helped me out and I saw dad sitting on the porch. He looked up seeing us as we walked up before looking back to the papers in his hand.

"She gonna make it?" He questioned.

"Yeah, she's tough as a mule, that one."

"They are sending another ranger tomorrow."

"Yeah, I figured."

"Mean my daughter figured." Dad said glancing at him. Rip and I never really messed with one another, showed affection or shit like that around anyone really. It was a more when we were alone thing but everyone fucking knew. "See if you can keep this one on their horse."

"In his defense, I did try to tell her there was a horsefly on her horse, she didn't listen. Did they come back?"

"Yeah, cleaned and in the barn."

"Someone touched him?"

"Alexis honey you weren't here, had Lloyd handle it that makes you feel any better."

"No not really, ya know my rule."

"Well, I was busy, you two were gone and your brother is buried over there."

"I know." A car pulled up and we watched as it stopped.

"Can't wait to see which disappointment this is." Dad said as they both stood. A door opened and Jamie got out. He was running for attorney general but of course, had been mia and not returning calls for days.

"Can I kick his ass." Dad tossed the papers down and made his way angrily off the porch.

"Where you been? I needed you."

"I was campaigning."

"You been gone two fuckin days Jamie. You can't make one phone call? God knows I been calling you."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Hell, you don't even know what you're sorry for."

"I'm sorry Christina had my phone."

"Christina had the phone goddamn it Jamie. When Rip takes Fish and Wildlife out tomorrow, I need you with them."

"Okay. Why is Fish and Wildlife coming tomorrow?"

"Shit." Dad said walking off.

"I have campaign stops in Helena and Great Falls."

"No, you don't because the first thing you're doing tomorrow is withdrawing from the race." Dad said turning back to him.

"What? I'm doing this for you."

"No, you're doing it for you, and know you're not doing it anymore."

"Hey." Jamie said grabbing him and making him turn around. The minute he touched him I went to step forward but Rip's hands grabbed my waist and held me back. "I won't quit. My entire career is based around this. I earned it."

"It's not your place to decide what you've earned."

"Don't take this away from me. I've earned it after everything I do for you, after everything I said."

"What have you done for me Jamie?" Dad said pushing him. Rip moved standing slightly in front of me to block me should anything happen. Protective as always. "What have you done for me besides help me build the empire you stand to inherit? Sorry, son I just don't see the sacrifice." As he turned Jaime grabbed him again and dad pushed back and Rip moved away from me and stepped up.

"Hey."

"Don't take this away from me."

"I didn't take anything you did."