Finally Home to Yellowstone: Yellowstone Ranch Series

15

Every day was busy between putting up corrals and running new fence. It felt like we would be putting up and fixing fence for years. I didn't mind the work but I also rather be with the cattle.

Colby, Ryan, and I were fixing the fence down in pasture 4 when Rip came riding up to us. I stopped what I was doing and looked out at him riding across the pasture.

"What's wrong?" Colby stood up and looked in the direction I did.

I shook my head,"I don't know. But something is." I started walking out into the pasture towards him.

"He's in a hurry." Ryan coughed and cleared the dust from his throat.

I stepped through the taller grass and walked a little faster. His horse clumped and clumped as it's hooves hit the ground.

"What's going on?" I asked as soon as I was close enough for him to hear me.

He didn't have his coat on, only his button down. And I was surprised because it was cold.

"I can't get a fucking horse out of a trailer." He cussed.

I released a deep breath. "Thank god."

"What the hell'd you'd just say?" He took the toothpick out from between his teeth.

"Nothing, just thought something was wrong." I chuckled and started to walk back towards the boys.

"I gotta get this horse out. We're paying those guys by the hour to bring them here." He dismounted his horse and followed close behind me.

"So? Get the horse outta the trailer?" I grabbed my wire cutters out of my pocket and went back to the fence.

Colby pulled the wire tight for me so I could twist it back together. "What's going on?" He grunted and asked at the same time, using his strength to twist the wire.

"Can't get a horse outta a trailer." I mumbled.

"Go ahead, cowboy. We're almost done here anyway." Ryan walked up to take my place. I stood up straight again and stared at the three of them.

"You want me to get him out?" I ruffled my eyebrows. "I ain't done that shit in years. Like almost 10 years." They all still stared at me. "I was a kid, guys. I don't know what I'm doing now." I shook my head.

"They said you were always great at-" Colby started.

Rip butted in,"I ain't got time to argue with you. Get your ass to the barn." He stomped away to his horse and jumped on. He stared at me for a second then rode off.

I sighed loudly.

"He's an ass to you." Ryan scoffed.

"Don't start. He's just kinda hard on me. I think it's per my fathers request." I chuckled and untied my horse from the fence post. Then I rode off to the barn as I was told.

From half a mile away my heart fell through my chest and down into my stomach. It started pounding and I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. But I smiled.

There was a red truck and a red trailer. And a tall, tan Texan standing outside of it.

I rode up quick and smiled wide as I saw John. I dismounted my horse and started walking his way.

"Cowboy!" He laughed and nodded at me.

"You missed me already?" I teased. "I heard you got a problem." I rested my hands on my hips. I saw Rip come out from the barn. My smile dropped. "If you wanna live, act like you don't know me." I said quickly and quietly.

"What?" He choked on his words.

Rip handed me a halter,"Mary, this is John. John, Mary."

I nodded at John and stuck my hand out,"Nice to meet ya."