Happy Cow Ranch

The Thunder Rolls

John Dutton, undeniably the most powerful man in Montana slams the front door of his huge home in the middle of his hundreds of thousands of acres of land, surrounded by cattle, horses, and death. He storms past his daughter, Beth, sitting on the couch, frowning as she watches him march along his warpath.

"Where you goin', Daddy?" She asks, though her tone isn't inquisitive, and she could honestly care less. "Your disappointment is out with Kayce."

John stops in his tracks and spins around, coming back to the living room. Beth looks up at him with a lazy smile, then slowly brings her drink to her lips, not breaking eye contact.

"Did you know?" His question sounds more like a statement, his lips pursed and hands gripping his hips. Beth's eyebrows twitch into a frown and her head tilts.

"Know what?"

John takes a deep breath, turning his head. He opens his mouth to say something, then just turns away, stalking out of the house. Dust forms around his feet in angry storm clouds, and the cowboys who were testing a horse watch, glad he isn't headed their way.

"I pity the fool who pissed him off," Colby mutters, spurring the other cowboys to snicker and hide their faces.

"Just be glad it ain't you," Rip spits, but his eyes follow John, not the others. He wonders what could've possibly made the boss this upset, seeing as the only other time he's looked this mad was... Rip's shoulders tense, and he rolls them, then turns back to the rest of the cowboys, joking and laughing with them.

John storms up to his two sons, Kayce noticing him before Jamie even turns around. Jamie is the lawyer and the least favorite son, the coward and the suck-up. Kayce says nothing, turning back to his horse, rubbing his muzzle and leading him away. Jamie frowns and steps forward, but John is too quick, grabbing his shoulder and spinning him around to face him.

"Dad, wha-" Jamie begins to ask, but John cuts him off.

"You lied to me," John says, his tone cool and sharp as a knife. Jamie winces as though he's been cut with it. As soon as he opens his mouth John interjects again. "You told me the talk with Malloy went well."

"I—it did! It did go well!" Jamie cries, defending himself with nervous eyes.

"Then can you tell me why I just ran into Maisie Walker saying she was taking over her grandfather's ranch?" He demands, leveling Jamie with an 'I already know the truth' stare. Jamie freezes, his eyes wide and lips parted, expression taut with terror.

"She came back?" Is all he can whisper, his voice trembling. John snarls and shoves his son's shoulder, grunting with frustration.

"Goddammit, Jamie! What the hell were you thinking?" John roars, his hand flying out to the side.

"We didn't think she'd say yes! Austin told me, he... he said that she would probably say no, she's just a—" Jamie grimaces and swallows hard, turning his head sharply to look at the barn as he bites his tongue. "That she's just a kid. He didn't tell me that she said yes, but I'm sure after a week she'll realize she's not cut out for it and go back home."

"She is cut out for it, son. Cut out of the same damn cloth as her grandfather. She's not giving it up," John takes a step back, chewing on his lip. Jamie straightens back up and takes a deep inhale, eyes darting from John to the barn.

"Do you think she..." He trails off, but they both know what he means. The whole Dutton family knows what he means.

"No. She didn't even seem to remember me, so I doubt she remembers the time she spent over here when she was younger,"

Jamie nods slowly, then looks up at his father who bears a look of disappointment so strong it could make criminals repent.

"I'll go talk to Austin," He tells him, then turns on his heel and leaves, looking over his shoulder once or twice. John shakes his head, wondering what the hell he was gonna do.

"That guy bothering you?" Beth's voice asks from behind him. He turns his head to look at her over his shoulder, chuckles sardonically, and nods.

"Always. I just wish he wouldn't lie to me for my approval. He'll never get it that way,"

"You know, if you're trying to buy the Walker land, I can go talk to 'em for you. You know damn well you can have that land if you want to," Beth's voice is firm, her eyes sharp, just like her dad's. She's a spitting image of him, and not just in looks. However, there's a little more wild in her, a little more ruthlessness that she got from her momma.

"Not this time. Not this land," Dutton shakes his head, hands stuck deep in his pockets.

"Why not? You're not scared of Malloy, are you?" She teases him, but there is a hint of actual curiosity in her voice. Her father looks up at her with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm not scared of Malloy. I'm scared of breaking my word," John sighs, raising his head to the heavens as if trying to scope Elijah Walker out. If what happened all those years ago hadn't happened, that land would be his. If he hadn't have given Elijah his word that he'd protect her, it would be his.

And she doesn't even remember it; he coughs out a laugh, shaking his head at the thought.

"What?" Beth is scowling, trying to figure out what's in her father's head. It only takes a look for her to realize. "Maisie's back?"

Her heart aches a little as she thinks of the young girl, and what happened at the ranch. Maisie used to come over to Yellowstone all the time when her family lived up in Montana, and they quickly grew close, Beth seeing her as a little sister. She realizes that she must not remember what happened if she came back and if she doesn't remember that...

"I'm going to meet her for lunch, and I'm going to go alone. I don't need her remembering things she shouldn't," John seems to instruct her, and she nods, seeming to understand. The two have their own language, and no one will ever understand it but them.

"I'll be here if you need me," She says, turns around, and strides back to the house, shooting a wink at Rip on her way. He smiles at her, but keeps working, though John hardly even notices, already in his truck.

The road to Maisie's ranch is long, but it gives John time to think of what he'll say, what questions he'll ask. Dirt flies up around his tires as his truck trembles down the drive, creating a massive cloud when he stops it in front of her porch. She comes out, radiant as ever in a sweet floral dress, loose curls framing her face and a bright smile that creates adorable dimples as she waves.

"Well, come on in!" She calls, and John does so happily.