Yellowstone

Chapter 10 - You Ask Me To

"Mmh..." A soft groan came from her lips as Elisabeth awoke. She struggled to sit up, sharp pains searing through her right side. She hissed quietly, clutching it to try and ease the pain. When she moved her hand away, it was flecked with red.

"Fuck..." The black fabric of her t-shirt had hidden the blood.

Being careful, she snuck into the bathroom and lifted her shirt. Her wound was still well wrapped, but her movements during the night had caused it to reopen and bleed.

"Motherfucker..." She grumbled, beginning to peal off the ruined gauze to replace it. After replacing the bandages, she got dressed as quick as she could without hurting herself. Leaning over to pull her boots on was probably the hardest part.

Once she was dressed, she took a couple of pain pills before grabbing her hat from on top of the dresser and leaving.

Gator was set up in the kitchen with the aroma of an amazing breakfast surrounding him. The scent of freshly baked biscuits, scrambled eggs and bacon grease made Elisabeth feel something she hadn't felt in a long time.

She felt home.

Just before she turned into the kitchen, she saw John sitting at the table with Tate and Beth, trying to analyze which donut was the largest so that Tate could claim it for himself.

But before Elisabeth could disappear and make herself a plate, Beth caught sight of her.

"Hey! Who said that you were allowed to go to work today?" She hissed, suddenly standing.

"Uh... I did." Elisabeth mumbled with a chuckle.

Carefully slipping behind Gator, she took two pieces of bacon and a biscuit for herself.

Gator smirked a little as the ranch hand limped off towards the front door with a biscuit in one hand and hat in the other.

"Ah, ah! Where do you think you're goin' missy?" Beth growled, trying to block the door. Elisabeth rolled her eyes and nudged Beth aside.

"To get my paycheck." She huffed, putting her hat on and slinking outside.

Elisabeth made her way to the stable, munching on her biscuit on the way there. Milo had his head peaking out of the stall, nickering as she came into his view. "Sorry I'm late, big boy." She muttered, patting his neck and swallowing the rest of her food.

Milo already knew the drill and stood out in the the middle of the barn, not needing crossties to stay still. He waited patiently as Elisabeth tacked up. Once his bridle was on and the cinches were checked, she led him out to the fence outside, seeing Lloyd and Rip in a cloud of dust over yonder.

She stood up on the fence and pulled herself onto the gelding's back, sharp pains beginning to prick at her side already. "Fuck my life." She grunted as Milo began trotting.

As she grew closer to the group, she saw that everyone was out there organizing cattle. Rip, Lloyd, Jimmy, Ryan and even Walker were all out there. She could also hear Jake, Ethan and Colby hollering.

'That explains all the dust.' Elisabeth thought.

The ache in her side soon became too unbearable and Milo walked, sensing her pain. He smoothly entered the pen with Elisabeth steering him close to the fence. "Hey!" Lloyd yelled. Her head jerked up at his sudden vocalization.

"What're ya walkin' for? C'mon, we got shit to do!" He yowled. Elisabeth clicked her tongue and Milo picked up a quick trot. One that was too quick for her to handle.

They only made it a few yards before Elisabeth had to completely halt him.

Lloyd cantered up beside her as she hunched over in the saddle, clutching her injured flank.