Home is where the heart is [Rip Wheeler]

12

Rolling over in her bed Briar groaned. It was either really early or really late. She just wasn't sure which. Getting out of bed she walked downstairs. Realizing it was still really... really early she rolled her eyes and started up the coffee pot. Glaring daggers into the bottom of her cup. Knowing today was the day she would take her dad to his appointment to get part of his cancer ridden colon removed did not help her already agitated mood. The distain she had for Monday's seemed ever growing. "There is only one upside to today because I get to spend most of it with you, Daddy."

"Good morning, Bumble. You're up extra early today." John greeted his daughter with a kiss to the top of her head.

"I couldn't sleep. I was dreaming about old hurt hearts." Briar mumbled as she poured some coffee into a thermos. The coffee smell was rich and dark just how she liked it.

"Sounds like a nightmare." John noted the sigh that left Briar's lips.

"Felt like one too." Briar filled herself a cup of coffee, draining it quickly and refilling it. "I'm gonna make breakfast for everyone. Pull up a seat and find the paper while I get out my ingredients."

About thirty minutes later, Briar was dancing around the kitchen cooking up the last of the eggs and finishing up the sausage gravy as she sang Cheryl Crow with a spatula microphone.

"Bumble?" John asked making her turn down her music.

"Yes, Daddy?" She asked with faint smile on her face.

"Your in love with Rip." He spoke plainly, his words were a statement not a question. Briar's entire body seemed to freeze as she processed what he had said.

"Oh, Daddy." Briar sighed as she flipped some bacon into her mouth. "It's not that simple."

"I promise you it is that simple or at least it would be if the both of you would get over yourselves and act on y'all's feelings for one an other."

"You know well and good why I haven't acted on my feelings Daddy."

"Beth and him ain't together, Briar, and to my knowledge they never have been."

Briar sighed taking the pan off the open flame and shutting off the burner. "Daddy I'm gonna ask you a question and I want an honest answer." Briar continued only after John nodded his head. "Do you know why I left? Why I didn't tell anyone where I was going?"

John could tell by the seriousness in her voice that this was important to her. "No, Briar I don't." He shrugged as Briar poured another cup full of coffee.

"I caught Rip and Beth in barn together just four weeks shy of my eighteenth birthday. Lee told me he knew something happened. That my eyes didn't shine the way they used to and honestly I think it was because my soul was crushed. That youthful spark just couldn't compare to wisdom of time. I grew up quickly and within a week I stopped rodeo, I traded pastel colors in for black, maroon and grey. I drew my winged liner sharp enough to cut any man that dared to cross me. I no longer wore braided pigtails, since that day hair has been worn or in a low ponytail. I secured a job, housing and transportation all within a week of deciding that I wanted to leave. It was easier not having to look at them everyday. For the last almost three years, my life wasn't filled with much heart ache. I felt at peace knowing my heart and mind weren't at war with each other. Life was so much easier when it wasn't surrounded by the drama on this and in this town. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change how I was raised for anything. I loved growing up here, it's just I wish I didn't have to deal with the politics of this place."

"I know what you mean Briar. I'm sorry I didn't know about Rip and Beth, but your sister... she can be, well... I mean you know how she is."

"That's just it though isn't it. She's not my sister, she's my aunt. My aunt who fucked my childhood crush and looked me in the eyes while doing so. The worst part of it is I was never mad at her for what she did. I was just disappointed to know that whatever I wanted Beth could and would get before I ever had the chance." Briar wiped at the underneath of her eyes feeling tears that would never fall.

John stood up with purpose and pulled Briar into a crushing hug. "I just want you know that I might not be your dad biologically but you are my kid in every other way that counts." Briar sniffled into John's chest.

"Thanks grandpa." Briar mustered a cheeky grin as John stared at her with a bit of shock. "That felt weird. I ain't ever callin you that again, okay, Daddy?"

"That's fine by me, Bumblebee." John cooed as he tucked a dark tendril behind Briar's pierced ear.

"Alright enough sappy stuff. Help me load this food into the atv." Briar commanded with a hard face.

"Yes, ma'am."  John agreed like he had a choice to say no.

The pair loaded all the food and baked goods into the atv with a thick blanket tucked underneath and around them.

John drove them down to the bunk house and started to climb out first. Although Briar beat him to the door much to his distain she walked right in.

"Good morning boys. Time to get up." Briar shook the most of the men and few women awake. Choosing to in Ryan in dick as she made her way to Rip, who was the last to get a wake up.

"Rip, hun. I made breakfast." Briar whispered as she gently sat down on his bunk. Squeaking as she was pulled down into bed by Rip.

"You gotta get up Rip or at least let me up." Briar sighed as she snuggled back into Rip's chest, breathing him in she closed her eyes. "Home. He smells like home." Briar thought quietly to herself.

"No." He mumbled. "We're staying right here."

"That so?" Asked the gruff voice of John Dutton. Briar's eyes snapped open and Rip's grip was quickly gone from her waist. Briar's face was reddened with a look of pure panic. Meanwhile John's face much like a few of the long time wranglers and branded ranch hands held a look of amusement.

"All'y'all go bring that food in from the back of the atv and stop staring at my kid." John ordered those left standing around.

"Yessir." The room echoed followed by the squeaking screen door.

"You can stay in bed a bit longer Bumble, but we need to leave by nine."

"I'll be at the house by eight thirty."

"Okay, Bumblebee, get some rest. Rip?"

"Yessir?"

"Have you thought more on my offer?"

"I'll let you know by supper."

"Okay." John turned to the door all the ranch workers had gathered on the front porch of the bunk house with plates full of food and baked goods. Each now had a thermos of black coffee. "Briar you want a plate?"

"No daddy, I just want a few more hours in before we go to town." Briar mumbled as she turned into Rip tucking her nose against his chest.

"Okay, good night Briar. Rest easy." John told her softly as he brushed some hair from his daughter's eyes.

"Mm-hmmm." She mumbled as Rip wrapped his arms around her.