Happy Cow Ranch

Medicine

Logan pulls into the drive, gaining the attention of everyone who was milling about on the porch. John Dutton and his soldiers were back, and John is the first off the porch. His hands move from his hips to reach for Maisie's car door. She is already out, however, and tumbles straight into his arms. Not many people are allowed to hug such a man and even fewer try, but when that young girl embraces him, he holds her like she's his lifeline and that one small breeze could take her away. John's daughter watches on, her head tilting as she evaluates the situation, nodding at Logan when she meets his eyes.

"What the hell happened?" He pushes her slightly back, holding eye contact with Maisie. Maisie's big hazel eyes water, and the girl quickly looks away, opening her mouth to speak. Only a small sound escapes.

"It's... did you really kill Antonio?" Maisie whispers, looking back at the ranch owner. His jaw clenches, and that's all the answer Maisie needs. "Nevermind. Don't answer that. I just... I was trying to get to you. I was trying to stop you, I-"

John rubs her shoulders, seeing that she's getting worked up. The last thing either of them needs is for her to faint again.

"I know you've got a good heart, kid, but he got what he deserved, alright?" John tells her, trying to ignore her shaking head.

"No, Mister Dutton, no! You have to understand, he... he saved me! He set me free and didn't even want to hurt me. It was all—"

"Maisie," Ryan steps up, shaking his head, "I saw him shooting at you when we came to get you. He was not a good man."

Maisie grows more distraught as she looks between the people who now gather around her. It looks to Logan like a tragic Renaissance painting; like the poor girl is drowning, suffocating under the attention of the Yellowstone family.

"No, you don't understand, he had to shoot at me to keep his cover, but he never hit me! It wasn't his fault, he risked his life for me, he..." The girl looks down at her shoes, and Logan can swear he can see her eyes bubbling up with hot tears as she heaves in breaths. When her eyes squeeze shut, a drop of pain slides onto her thick eyelashes. Logan watches, almost in a trance, as she shakes her head, looking wildly between the Duttons, the tears flying away from her now-open eyes. "Tell me... tell me he isn't..."

John purses his lips, his eyes quickly redirecting to the sky. Maisie's lips twitch as her mouth opens in dismay, her brow knitting together. Logan notices Beth turning away out of the corner of his eye, the only Dutton still on the porch. He can barely watch either but knows that it's for different reasons. While they both can't bear to see her in pain, he knows that Beth is more used to her being strong.

"He... He's dead... because of me," She whispers.

"Come on, Maisie, let's get you inside. I need to put bandages on your wounds." Logan takes her by the elbow, leading her away. The girl is still whispering about the man's death, and all John can do is watch her go.

Logan sets Maisie down on the bed he had last seen her in, knowing he stashed some bandages in the drawer of the bedside table. She winces when she realizes what he'll have to do, and when he makes the same connection he backs away.

"Do you... do you have any—" Logan starts, but Maisie shakes her head. "Do you want to go home?"

She nods, and he hoists her back up, but she pushes away.

"I can walk," She finally says, and he raises his hands in surrender.

"I know... Maise, what are you gonna do about Jamie?" Logan softens his voice, hoping not to provoke her. Despite seeing her at her breaking point, he knows this family and knows that one wrong move could spring her on him like a rattlesnake. Maisie walks along silently, staring at the ground before looking up at the vet.

"I think I have an idea... I don't think they'll like it though," She mutters the last part, continuing on down the hallway. It's quiet until they emerge onto the porch, drawing the attention of the ranch hands on the edge, all of them witnessing a huge fight between Beth and John.

"How're you feeling?" Ryan asks, his voice low as he attempts to stay subtle. Maisie swivels her head.

"I'm fine. Say, where's Kayce?" She asks, glancing around.

"He went down to see Monica and Tate," Jimmy pipes up from the other side, cutting Ryan off. Maisie nods, glancing between them.

"Could I borrow you guys for something?"

Jimmy and Ryan look between each other, then back down at the girl.

"I mean, sure, but wouldn't you rather have Colby? Or Weston?" Jimmy frowns, adjusting his baseball cap.

"Well, obviously I'm taking Wes with me. He's my foreman. I'll take Colby too, if he's available," Maisie crosses her arms, watching the fight. Logan frowns and nudges her arm, tearing her attention away from the two in the center.

"What are you planning?" He hisses and she places a finger to her lips. Finally the two Duttons cool off, backing away. Beth notices Maisie and frowns.

"How'd that bandage change go?" Beth raises a suggestive eyebrow and Maisie goes red.

"We didn't get to, I don't have any clothes here so we're going home. I'd also like to talk to either or both of you about something I'll need your help with," She looks between the two.

"Well, alright," John answers gruffly, hands going to his hips. "But I do have clothes here. You can borrow some."

"Oh, that's okay, Mister Dutton, I—" Maisie starts, but John just puts his hand up.

"Show her where they are," He nods back to Rip, and Rip agrees, making his way around to the girl.

"Come on," Rip says, holding open the door for her. She sighs and steps inside, casting one last glance at Logan.

The door swings shut.