Landmine - Post Malone

22

It takes a while for anything significant to happen. But, soon, the heifer's low moaning becomes more strained, and Dillon finds it difficult to hold back her tears from her worry as to how much pain the heifer is in. All the men on the ranch show up too, and gather around with an excited buzz; the air around them feels electric. "Is it like this with every birth? Everyone shows up?" Dillon whispers to Austin as she looks around at everyone. "This is the first birth. This calf starts the new herd, darlin'," Austin whispers back. The realization hits Dillon suddenly and now she is biting back tears for a whole new reason. Luke had done so much damage; he had burnt this ranch to the ground, killing most of the livestock and obliterating the old ranch house and all of Austin's childhood memories. He poisoned the water and then came back attempting to kill off most of the heifers Austin had managed to impregnate. She also knows there were other things he had done that she does not know about, and she still has questions about Austin's grandmother's death. Luke has sent attack upon attack, he has taken everything, and she knows he won't stop.

But, there was one thing he could not obliterate, one thing he could not stop - Austin.

She watches Austin now, his Stetson placed on his head as he stands tall. His handsome face is set in concentration as he works meticulously behind the straining heifer with Louis by his side. She can see the determination in his every movement and strength in every strained muscle on his body. Austin will never back down, he will never be driven out. He will fight and stand against Luke with every steady step he takes. He will rebuild this ranch; he will nurture every new blade of fresh green grass that emerges. He will finish his new ranch house, put up that fence and redo the scorched entry arch. He will grow his herd and watch it flourish and perhaps even start a family of his own on this ranch. This ranch will continue to heal and grow for generations.

They will speak about him. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even his great-great-grandchildren. They will speak of his determination and his battle. They will tell stories of how he never wavered, never gave up, and never ran away. They will name their children after him and teach their children how to be determined, stubborn, and meticulously slow and steady. They will all stand tall like him with Stetons, clean white shirts, and polished silver belt buckles. Not even death would remove Austin from this ranch because they will carry his spirit with them wherever they ride on this ranch.

She also hopes while she stands here cuddling the poor heifer, her heart in her throat, that she will be around to watch it all. She wants to be part of all of it, she wants to help him and remain at his side till she can no longer draw air into her lungs. Austin is loved and respected by so many, but pridefully she knows deep in her heart no one could possibly love him more than she does. Becky's words ring clear in her mind, and the truth is simple - she would kill a man for Austin, and she would not blink twice.

The heifer suddenly gives one long, strained groan, causing Dillon to snap from her thoughts and back to reality. Then she watches as both Austin and Louis tug hard and then fall backwards. Dillon steps away from the heifer and peeps over at them. Both men are covered in gunk and blood, but they are both smiling big bright smiles as they fuss with something in their arms. "Come here, darlin'," Austin says over his shoulder. Dillon walks closer and looks over his shoulder. It's a tiny calf, its legs and body kicking while Austin and Louis clean the afterbirth from its face and check its health quickly before stepping away as the heifer turns around and takes over from them.

Everyone watches in silence as the heifer cleans her calf, then nudges it with her snout till it stands on very wobbly legs and makes its way to its mother udder. "It's a bull calf, and he's healthy," Austin says. He has a slight rawness to his tone, and when Dillon looks at him, she can see there is a light shine to his eyes.