Hell's Coming with Me

Enemies by Monday

A/N: Sorry I didn't post this sooner. I've been struggling with some mental health issues and family drama. It's been a trying time. I finally finished this part and hope to finish the next and final episode of season 2 expeditiously. Though what I have written seems to be short and I'm not sure what to add. Just yet. 

Enemies by Monday

By the end of the week, it was time to winterize the Ranch. We had to ensure that all of the fences were fixed – meant a lot of riding, which the Wranglers had been doing for the past few weeks. Also to wrap pipes, make sure that they were in tiptop shape for the upcoming months of frigid temperatures. If a pipe broke, then it meant that the livestock and horses would have no water for the rest of winter until the Wranglers could get to the pipe. If that happened, the Wranglers would have to take buckets of water to the pastures, filling the troughs numerous times a day. Or they would have to brave the deep, Montana snow and drive the cattle to the river, while still hauling water for the horses in the barn.

That meant that every hand was necessary to assist. Ryan apologized when he had to get up early, but it was fine. I was still experiencing morning sickness, therefore, early just meant puking my guts into the toilet earlier. He pressed a sympathetic kiss to the top of my head, after I waved him out of my room. Ryan left, trying to be quiet to not wake anyone else in my family, before he slipped out of the front door.

Once my roiling stomach was somewhat settled, I grabbed a shower, brushed my teeth, and slipped on some comfortable clothing before going downstairs. Gator already had a cup of tea, steaming on the counter, while he set about feeding Sky who was whining for food.

I hid my amused grin as I took the cup of tea onto the front porch. I hated the taste of tea – it was warm water flavored with peppermint and flowers. Coffee was so much better, but I could only drink two cups of decaf a day.

"You're up early," I commented as I noticed my sister sitting on the front porch. She looked up at me with a smirk on her face.

"Bet you love that," she commented, pointing at my cup of tea. I grimaced as I took a sip of the liquid in my cup. I looked out at the horizon as I stood in the crisp morning air.

"It's not the same as coffee, that's for sure," I managed, trying not to be too negative about this change. I shivered as the cold wind cut through my sherpa lined jacket. I could see dark clouds starting to roll in; that meant that these clouds were likely bringing snow. It also smelled like snow outside – crisp, clean, and cold. "Looks like snow."

"Sure does," Beth agreed, looking at the horizon with the clouds blowing. "Looks like it's time to be stuck inside."

"I don't mind being inside," I said, and she smirked at my optimism. "Lots that one can do."

"If you want to crochet, knit, and cross stitch," Beth countered, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

"What's wrong with those activities?" I asked her, frowning as I was known for crafting during the winter months. It was soothing, and sometimes I wished I had the time to just sit down and do a craft during the summer months as well.

"Nothing, just I can't stand them."

"More or less, you can't stand doing nothing that isn't ruining some billionaire's life," I countered and Beth laughed at my ability to see through her. "Then this year I won't make you a blanket, or a scarf," I muttered, continuing on my rant.

"I'm just teasing ya," she winked at me. I knew my sister secretly loved when she received a handmade gift from me for Christmas. Beth can pretend to be cold and calloused, but I had saw the trunk full of my gifts for her over the years. They were special and meant a lot to her, so she made sure that they didn't get dirty. I shook my head as I finished the cup of tea and set the empty vessel on the little table. I stood up, stretching my back. I winced at the pain in my hips.