The Perfect Dutton

Part 8

I grab the ice-cream cones and pass one to Clarke. Her bright smile is soon quickly covered in bright pink ice-cream. I laugh at her antics, messing up her hair before paying and walking away. Her eyes light up at every little thing, she wants to go into every store, and touch everything. I grab her free hand, it's slightly sticky. Finishing my cone I toss the napkin in a nearby garbage before walking into a store. I see Monica on one side of the store looking at the overly priced clothing. Not wanting to start anything I mind my business like I don't see her.

"Fucking teenagers." I hear some lady mumble

I shake my head but continue to mind my business as a stuck up, botox filled blonde comes walking out of the back of the store.

"Can I help you?" She asks pointing the question to Monica

"No- no thank you." Monica replies

Clarke and I start looking through the jewlery as all this is going on. My eyes catch a glimpse of this beautiful necklace with matching earings before double taking and looking at it longer. Clarke is just drooling over every peice. But like everything else in the store is overly priced. Moving onto the next box I grab Clarkes hand as cop cars pull up out front. One of the cops that walks through the door I immediately recognized. He babysat Kacy when we were younger. I go to walk out of the store realizing I dont want Clarke to witness this. The lady cop stops me. Rolling my eyes I pick Clarke up and set her on the counter, atop of all the over priced jewelry. The side eye I got from the workers didnt bother me.

"Mommy, whats going on?" Clarke whispers in my ear

"Aunty Monica did something stupid." I whisper in a mocking tone

"Ohhhh." She draws out, continuing to eat her ice cream

"-Ill you please step into the chamging room." The lady cop asks

I pull out my phone and text Beth.
"Trouble, weird ass store on main"
"Omw."
As I now wait for Beth, Clarke begins to tap on the glass, wanting to play with all the pretty jewelry.

"There is nothing on her."
"I swear i saw her take it, look a ring is missing."

I notice her uneven stance, its ever so slight, as if she is standing on something small, small like a ring. Or maybe a necklace, I could be wrong. Beth walks through the door, face bruised still, she refuses to tell me what happened, all i know is that Rip helped and it was bad. She had to drink from a straw and could only eat smoothies for a few days. I felt bad but never pushed, kinda hard when I am so busy. Im amazed how she got here so quickly.

"Where is she?" She asks quietly
"Who?"
"My sister in law."
"I-I didnt know."
"That's not gonna save you."

God I love my sister.

"You babysat her husband."
"Her last name is Long."
"Like I said, I doubt thats gonna save you. Get dressed Monica."

I text Beth that I was leaving and that she should have fun with blondy, but Clarke didnt need to see it. She never responded. The long ride back to the ranch was filled with laughter and questions about what happened while music played softly in the background. My truck riding smoothly on the road with Clarke in the back seat. The trees pass by, soon replaced with long feilds for cows to graze in, and other animals to feed off of. Occasionally a car passes by, possibly not realizing whos ranch they drive by with their California license plate. Playing their hippy music that makes my ears bleed.

My fathers gate appears ahead. THE YELLOWSTONE reads along the iron railing. The mountians rolling in the background filled with thousands of trees, animals, and possibly trespassers. Driving up the drive way I spot my father walking into the house. He pauses and looks to my truck. Turning around he walks down the steps as I park. I unbuckle my seat belt as Clarke is already out the door and running to my father. As he picks her up I smile, glad that he took a liking to her so quickly. My father is a hard man to know. Walking over to him I kiss him on the cheek.

"Hey sweetie." His voice rough from yelling orders all day

"Father, how was work?" I ask woth a smile

"Good, good, long." He responds carrying Clarke up the stairs

"I bet, ready to eat?"

"Always."

I smile opening the door, the smell of food surrounding my senses in a tight grip.

This chapter is shorter im sorry, i tried to get this out sooner but school got in the way. I will try to upload another chapter b4 April 5th. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Until next time.