How to get a Cowboy 101 ⎯ a Ryan story [Yellowstone]

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In the heart of Seattle, where skyscrapers kissed the clouds and the hum of city life echoed through busy streets, Mary-Jane Dutton often found herself dreaming of wide-open spaces. Her parents, Elsa and Mathias, were more suited to the urban lifestyle, but they had somehow managed to bring a piece of the ranch life into their home. Despite the concrete jungle that surrounded them, the spirit of the Duttons thrived in their small backyard—a makeshift barn, two grazing horses, and the lingering scent of hay that seemed to weave itself into the fabric of their daily lives.

From the moment she could walk, Mary-Jane was drawn to the horses that her parents had gifted her, their gentle whinnies and soft, warm noses calling to her like an ancient song. Riding became her escape, a world where the trials of childhood faded against the rhythmic pounding of hooves. With her parents' encouragement, she entered the world of competitive eventing, taking private lessons that turned her passion into prowess. By thirteen, she was no longer a timid girl, but a rising star in the eventing community, confidently soaring over fences that once seemed insurmountable.

Yet, as the years unfolded, so too did the challenges that life tossed her way. At sixteen, her love for the sport compelled her to leave traditional schooling behind, opting instead for the flexibility of homeschooling. The stables became her sanctuary, the comforting smell of leather and saddle oil a balm for her restless spirit. Behind the wheel of her car, she drove with the wind in her hair, a sense of freedom enveloping her as she raced toward the stables, her heart beating in time with the rhythm of the horses.

But that sense of liberation was shattered on her twenty-second birthday—a day that should have marked a new chapter filled with promise and excitement. As she prepared for the prestigious Badminton eventing competition, a tragic accident unfolded. During a complex exercise, the unthinkable happened: a rotation fall. In an instant, the world blurred as she was flung from her horse, landing hard on the unforgiving ground. The pain was immediate and searing as her horse, miraculously unscathed, came crashing down on her legs. A cacophony of voices and chaos filled her ears, but all she could feel was the sharp, biting agony that threatened to consume her.

In the months that followed, Mary-Jane found herself ensconced within the walls of her family's various homes, a prisoner of her fears and doubts. The vibrant world of eventing faded to a distant memory as she endured the slow and painful process of recovery. Her dreams felt fragile, slipping through her fingers like grains of sand.

As her twenty-fourth birthday approached, Mary-Jane's once-vibrant spirit had dulled, hidden beneath layers of uncertainty and regret. Elsa, however, was not one to sit idly by while her daughter languished in the shadows of her past. One evening, under the warm glow of the kitchen lights, she called Mary-Jane to sit with her. "You've lost your spark, sweetheart," she said softly, her voice filled with concern. "You can't let one fall define who you are. You were born to ride."

Mary-Jane shifted uncomfortably in her chair, the weight of her mother's words pressing down on her. "But what if I fail again, Mom? What if I make a fool of myself in front of everyone?" Her voice quivered, a mixture of fear and vulnerability surfacing.

Elsa took a deep breath, her resolve steady. "You need to get back out there, Mary-Jane. It's time to reclaim your passion. I think it would do you good to train at Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Your uncle John has plenty of land, and you'll have the opportunity to face real challenges."

After much contemplation, Mary-Jane found herself agreeing, though apprehension still knotted in her stomach. The thought of returning to the ranch that held so many childhood memories was both exhilarating and terrifying. What would it be like to face her fears amid the sprawling landscapes of Montana?

With determination in her heart, Elsa picked up the phone, her voice firm as she reached out to her brother. "John, I need a favor. Mary-Jane is ready to get back in the saddle, and I want her to train at the ranch. Can you help her?"

John Dutton, ever the supportive uncle, responded without hesitation. "Of course, Elsa. We'll have everything she needs waiting for her when she arrives. Just make sure she knows she's got family here."

And so, with a mix of excitement and trepidation swirling in her chest, Mary-Jane found herself seated in the passenger seat of the horse transport, her mother at the wheel. Her father followed closely behind in their car, both parents eager to accompany her for the first day at the ranch. The weight of her two beloved horses—an athletic buckskin Oldenburg gelding and a spirited chestnut thoroughbred—sat heavy in the trailer, but it was a comforting weight.

As the city faded behind them, the rolling hills of Montana emerged in the distance, and with them, the promise of new beginnings. Mary-Jane took a deep breath, the fresh air filling her lungs with hope. This was her chance—to face her fears, rediscover her love for riding, and carve a new path forward. Yellowstone awaited her, and with it, a world filled with possibilities.