Happy Cow Ranch

Til' You Can't

"Who is your boss?" John Dutton's booming voice shakes the holding cell, and the men who accompany him just glance at him wearily.

"Mr. Dutton, I told you—" The man in handcuffs whines, but John just slams his hand against the bars. Those hands that had just tenderly cradled Maisie's head now gripped the iron with white knuckles, the rage that had fueled him to do many foolish things was about to push him to another.

"Boss," Ryan whispers, and luckily it's too low to be heard.

"Get him out," John instructs, stepping back from the bars with a hand on his hip. The other hand rubs his lips, and it's Kayce's turn to step forward.

"Dad, the police are doing us a favor. We can't just—"

"And we'll do them a favor by solving a fucking crime, do you understand me?" John shoots off, stalking toward his son. Kayce backs up, but nods.

"I'll make a call." Kayce heads out, leaving the poor man behind bars shaking. Weston shoots a look at the guy, taking John's side.

"Please, I'm telling you, that's the name he gave me. Jamie Dutton, that's who it was!" The man begs, and Weston shakes his head.

"That's impossible. We know where he was when she was taken, and besides, he's guarding her right now. Why would he protect her if he kidnapped her?" Wes demands, crossing his thick arms. The man in the jail cell just blinks at him.

"Are you kidding me? Because he's going to kill her, you dumbass!" The prisoner exclaims, looking between the remaining men. John Dutton is standing in the corner, chewing on his lip as he covers his mouth. He seems to be thinking about all his adopted son's shortcomings, the way they've treated him, the few outbursts he's witnessed... he nods at Ryan.

"Who do we have at the ranch right now?"

"Uh, Colby, Jimmy, Teeter—" Ryan begins listing off his fellow ranch hands, but John stops him.

"Send Colby. Tell him to check on her, and have the others back him up, in case this guy's right," John commands, and turns away as Ryan whips out his phone. The conversation is short, the man in the other end understanding immediately.

"I fuckin' knew it," Colby mutters as he hangs up, sliding his phone into his pocket. "Come on! The girl needs our help."

Colby stalks off, the other ranch hands glancing between each other before following. Lloyd quickly overtakes the others, leading the way to the lodge. He had known her since she was just a baby, calling her "little grasshopper" and supplying her with the candy her parents told her she couldn't have. For years after she left he still found himself putting a lollipop in his shirt pocket.

"Where do you think they're off to in such a rush?" Beth snickers, causing Rip to search for who she's talking about. When he zeroes in on his ranch hands and sees where they're going he shoots up.

"Maisie." He looks down at Beth, and the two of them race to the lodge.

The door slams behind them, and the ranch hands whip around, just about to enter Maisie's room. Rip makes a shushing motion, and Beth quickly moves to the group.

"What the hell are you doing?" She demands and they look around at each other.

"Ryan called, said the girl is in trouble. We're gonna check on her, and—" Jimmy starts to explain, but then Teeter kicks the door open. The rest of the group peers inside, panicking when the room is empty.

"Shit—" Rip mutters, whipping around.

"Where'd she—" Teeter begins, but is met with a hush from Jimmy. "'Scuse me? What in the fresh fried fuck did you—"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just... does anyone else smell that?" Jimmy asks the group, and they all stop to sniff. With confusion and mumblings they all argue about what they're smelling and where it's coming from.

"Well, obviously it's coming from the kitchen," Beth rolls her eyes, and stalks off to peek her head into the kitchen, straightening up when she sees the troublesome young girl behind the counter, stirring a pan full of hashed potatoes while wearing one of John Dutton's cowboy hats that had been hung on the rack on the wall. "Maisie."

The girl looks up, squeaking when she sees Beth giving her a look of appraisal.

"Want some cheesy potatoes?" She asks, lifting the pan.

"Maisie, you should be in bed," Beth bounces off the doorframe, entering the kitchen.

"I know, but I had to get up. I realized... well, I can't remember who did it. I could a couple of hours ago, and now it's just blank, but all I can think about is the shocks, and the beatings, and the—" Maisie rambles, setting the pan back down with a grimace. She shakes her head and looks back at Beth. "I just had to get out of bed."

"Were you alone when you woke up?"

"Yeah... yeah, I think so. I wasn't when I fell asleep though. There was a man watching over me," She answers, a chill running through Beth's spine. She moves around the counter, taking Maisie's face in her hands.

"You're alright? Did he hurt you?" Beth leans in, checking Maisie over. It's the same bruises and cuts since the last time she saw her. Maisie frowns, looking around.

"Did who hurt me? Who was the man?" Maisie asks and is met with a sigh of relief.

"It's just Jamie. He must've taken over when Weston left," Beth explains, glancing back to the crowd now gathered in the doorway. "You're okay though?"

"I'm fine, Beth. I'm okay," Maisie reassures her with a smile. Something seems to pop into her head, because a second later Maisie flinches, wincing at something.

"You twist your stitches again? Sit down before you hurt yourself," Beth points to the dining table, and Maisie frowns.

"I need to be up. I need to move around." Maisie struggles to get out of Beth's hold, and Beth and the group at the door really see her—see everything that was done to her.

"You know what, honey? Let's run you a bath and get you out of those clothes, alright? It's about time for a bandage change anyway," Beth softens her voice, watching carefully as Maisie tenses at the mention of a bandage change. She tenderly lets her fingers flirt against her side, her mind reeling as she tries to remember the face connected with the trauma.

"That sounds like a good idea... I could use a beer, too," She whispers, and Beth nods, shooting a glare at the people who still surround the room. Rip catches the look and herds them back into the living room where Jamie now sits, making an aggravated phone call. When the others enter he quickly wraps it up, catching a look from Rip. Although Maisie was fine, there's little chance Rip will take an eye off of Jamie.