Finally Home to Yellowstone: Yellowstone Ranch Series

10

Dad didn't think the fires and alfalfa we're started by the Indians wanting to build the casino. It went against everything they believed it. Kasey suggested it was the people wanting to build the airport next to it.

We were all at home that night, eating dinner. As a family.

Gator made my favorite, country fried steak and mashed potatoes. He sat down the food.

I smiled up at him,"Have I told you how much I missed your cookin'?"

He sat down the collard greens and biscuits,"You haven't told me, but I assumed so because you're about to eat everything outta that kitchen."

Kasey chuckled,"I did the same thing when I came home."

"Is there beer in there?" I asked Gator.

"Yeah, I'll grab you one." He walked back.

"At the dinner table?" Dad looked pissed.

"What?" I asked as Gator sat down my beer,"Thanks, Gator."

He ruffled my hair,"Good to have you home, kid."

It started out as a quiet dinner but I couldn't stand the silence.

"Kasey thinks the airport people started the fires." I looked at Beth.

She stopped half bite.

"Mary." Dad gritted through his teeth.

My knife and fork clinked against my plate involuntarily. "For fucks sake, Dad, Beth needs to know too."

Beth nodded and finished chewing. "Yeah, as your lawyer and your daughter."

"Not at dinner." He shook his head.

I heard Kasey sigh.

"Well, what the hell are we suppose to talk about?" I laughed in a confused way.

"I say we talk about getting help at the bunkhouse. Rip needs few more wranglers. Especially after this mess. We've got thousands of acres of fence to put back up." Kasey butted in.

I looked at him and nodded. Thank you. I mouthed.

I grabbed my beer and took a long drink.

Dad grunted and stuffed potatoes in his mouth. Then he nodded. "I think you're right. And since Mary's done with being down there, he'll need the hel-"

I nearly choked on the liquid,"What?" I asked loudly.

Dad dropped his head,"We talked about this."

I sat my bottle down with a loud noise. "You said take a break, not quit-"

"Don't say quit like you worked there." He grumbled again and continued eating.

I looked at Kasey, terrified that my wrangling career was over. He looked up at our father who wasn't looking at any of us. Beth had a concerned look on her face, but was still lost because of the conversation that had ended abruptly about the airport people.

I stood up from my chair and grabbed my hat. "You said it yourself, Dad. I was in hell. And when I was there, all I thought about was wranglin' because that was my heaven. And you're taking it too." I nodded, pissed. Fuck finding peace with myself, this was cruel.

His silverware crashed onto the table. "Fine. Be a wrangler. But if you're gonna be one, be one. And we'll treat you like one. You know where the bunkhouse is." He nodded hatefully.

"Daddy-" Beth spoke up.

"No." He was breathing heavy, obviously pissed,"I made up my mind. She acts like a wrangler as it is. No manners. She cusses like one, chews and drinks and smokes like one, even at the goddamn dinner table. The military ruined her just like it did you." He cursed and stared straight at Kasey.

Kasey stood up abruptly. "That's enough-"

I put my hand on his arm. "It's okay." I whispered to him.

"Its gonna have to be okay. I want you out by dark. Kasey if you wanna argue, then go with her." My father stood up and stormed out.

I did the same and ran upstairs.

I grabbed my army duffle and started shoving my clothes and stuff into it. I grabbed M16 and my rifle and stuffed it in there. Then I put my pistol behind my back and tossed all my ammo in.

The door creaked open. It was Beth.

She sat on my bed and watched me pack.

"I finally got to wake up and see my little sister everyday." She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I stopped pack and looked up at her. Her eyes were glossy,"But I knew it wouldn't last much longer. You always caused trouble and our father fucking hates trouble."

I giggled,"I'm sorry, Beth."

"Don't be sorry." She whispered then let go of my hand. "It was feeling too nice and normal around here. We need the change." She stood up and started to walk out. "By the way, the airport people would wanna burn everything that way the ranch showed a loss for this year." She whispered again.

I nodded, dropping the socks in my hand into the bag. "Okay. But why would they care if we had a big loss?"

She looked in the hallway then came back in,"If we show a loss, they can use it against us. Saying our land isn't making us money so we don't need the land. Just another reason for them to take it."

I nodded slowly.

"Come up here and see me when you can. I ain't going down to that damn bunkhouse just to see you. That place makes me want to cause trouble." She hung on the doorway.

I chuckled,"Yeah, well it always gets me in trouble."

"Goodnight." She winked then slipped out.

"I love you." I said out loud. It wasn't something my family ever really told each other. But we should start.

She looked back into my room. "I love you too, Mary." She gave a small, sweet smile and walked off.