Finally Home to Yellowstone: Yellowstone Ranch Series

14

I stared at him. Relieved and pissed all at the same time. So many emotions were flying through all I could do was stare, straight faced at him.

He sighed. "I'll get some of your stuff later. We gotta go up to the cabin now. C'mon." He lightly put his hand on my back and gestured me forward.

I was shaky and nauseous from all the nerves. Then I panicked a little. I turned back and faced him, "I gotta find Kayce, he needed-"

He cut me off,"He's at the cabin."

I released a deep breath and nodded. Then continued walking. I looked up at him while we were walking. His mouth was still bleeding but he just stared straight ahead and ignored it.

"Sorry, boutcha lip." I spoke up.

A slow smile tugged on the corners of him mouth but quickly dropped. He stopped walking. I stopped too. "It's alright." Then he looked down at me,"But I don't like fighting." His voice was lowered and raspy. He had been smoking again but I didn't want to say anything, especially not now. "You know what happens when someone gets in a fight around here. And I'll treat you the same damn way if this shit doesn't quit. I don't care how you did it in the fucking army." He started back up the hill towards the cabin and I quickly fell in behind him.

"You deserved it this time." I prayed he heard my teasing tone.

He chuckled. Thank god he chuckled. "You're right. I did."

I smiled and hugged myself tighter into his coat. It smelled like him. Just like his bed sheets and his t shirt. I was silently excited to be able to stay with while Keith was here. I would finally be able to sleep without nightmares and rest and feel safe again. Something I longed for since I stayed there that one night.

"Did you tell my dad about Keith?" I asked softly while we were walking.

"I did. He's okay with it."

My heart stung. My father knew who and what Keith was and was still okay with it. "Because I'm staying with you he's okay with it?" I asked in the same tone.

For the second time Rip stopped in his tracks. He shoved his hands in his pockets. "He doesn't know you're staying with me. I know he'll find out soon but I'll take the blame." He stroked his beard and looked around us. We were feet from his cabins front porch. "Because I can't let you stay in the bunkhouse with him."

My stomach had a tight feeling in it. I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest. But I knew it wasn't a good idea.

Instead I smiled and put my hand on his chest. I patted him once or twice,"Thank you." Then I walked past him. I slid his coat off my back and sat it on the railing of his porch. Then I walked inside.

Kayce and Beth were sitting at the kitchen table, sipping whiskey.

"Where's Rip?" Kayce asked. I pointed to him as he walked in right behind me. "And Lloyd?"

I shrugged and opened my mouth to speak but "On his way." Came out of Rips mouth.

Good." Kayce nodded.

I leaned against the back of the couch,"Anyone wanna tell me what's going on?" I folded my arms. I was itching to smoke a cigarette as I watched Beth light one. I stared at it but realized Kayce was talking to me.

"-And they broke into the barn last night." I only caught the last part of the conversation.

"Wait, who did?" I asked.

Beth looked back at me,"Just some people. No reason to learn the names. They'll be dead soon." She took a sip of her whiskey. Lloyd walked in.

"The one's that wanna build the airport and casino?"