Finally Home to Yellowstone: Yellowstone Ranch Series

4

The next day I slowly got up and got changed. It was a Saturday. So maybe half the amount of work needed to be done.

I trudged my way to the barn, trying to keep up with Kayce but my side hurt so bad I could hardly stand it.

I saddled my horse but it took me forever. Then I tried to get on it. "Ah. Ah." I groaned and breathed hard.

"Ya alright, cowboy?" Walker hollered to me.

"Uhhh," I tried again and made it this time. "I'm alright."

"Mhmm." He rode past me.

Gonna be a long day.

*****

"What the hell are you doing on a horse?" Llyod asked me.

"Gonna move some cows." I said like a smart ass.

"Get off that damn thing, you've got a broken rib. And who knows what else." He ordered as he rode past me. "I'll take your spot." I opened my mouth to argue,"This ain't an option, Mary. Get your ass home and get some rest so you can be ready on Monday." He pointed back to the barn.

I sighed but he was right. And I was hurting.

I slowly rode back to the barn. But I could see trouble riding straight to me.

Rip rode up to me,"What in the fuck is wrong with you?"

I didn't say a word to him. My horse walked past him. I stopped my horse, about to tell him something. That I didn't mean what I said last night, or I shouldn't of tried to piss him off so bad. But I continued riding.

One day in bed turned to three. I could barely move.

Dad came in. "You haven't been to the barn in three days. You must really be hurting." He sat on the side of my bed.

I nodded. "I'll be good in another day or two. Just trying to healing it so it doesn't get worse."

He nodded. Then he patted my leg on top of the covers. "Smart girl. Holler if you need something. Beth and I are going to Helena for a few days. Work to be done." He kissed my forehead then walked out.

Kayce was there for a while that night. We sat in the living room and drank beer and whiskey and talked about the military and our childhood. We drank too much but he decided he wanted to go the bar with some of the wranglers. I didn't feel like it yet.

So it was just me in an empty house. Soon I fell asleep and kept having the nightmares. Even worse this time.

And I kept hearing noises when I would wake up from them. People walking up the stairs. Radio codes going off. Helicopters constantly. And I was nearly paralyzed. I didn't feel safe and I was getting overwhelmed.

I needed someone.

I grabbed my phone, tears streaming done my face and called Kayce. But he didn't answer. I called Beth, no answer. I called Llyod, no answer. And Walker and Ryan and Colby. No answer.

I looked at Rips name. My hands were shaking.

Bravo uniform. I could hear Jake screaming. Bravo uniform. Bird. Send a bird. Now. Bravo uniform. Then gunfire.

I jumped and clicked on Rips name.

"Hello?" He answered in one ring.

"Rip." I started to cry. I needed him. I needed someone to protect me.

"I'm coming, Mary. What's going on?" He sounded calm but I could hear him running.

I heard more gunfire and screaming. I could smell burning flesh.