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

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After a long journey filled with stops to let the horses stretch their legs and graze, Mary-Jane felt a surge of anticipation as they approached the gates of Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. The familiar sight of sprawling fields and the rhythmic hum of ranch life washed over her like a warm embrace, reminding her of the summers spent here as a child. As they drove through the entrance, the world opened up into a breathtaking expanse of land, dotted with barns and the silhouettes of ranch hands bustling about their tasks.

Elsa pulled the transport to a halt beside the barns, and Mary-Jane's heart raced at the sight of ranch hands darting around, tending to their duties. Some were mounted on horses, while others guided livestock or organized supplies. The air was rich with the scent of earth and hay, a fragrant reminder of the life that thrived here. Her mother stepped out first, eager to greet John, who approached with a confident stride, his presence commanding yet reassuring.

Mathias followed suit, joining the familial reunion. Mary-Jane felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach as it was finally her turn to exit the transport. She took a deep breath, steeling herself before stepping out into the embrace of her uncle's world.

"Mary-Jane," John said, his voice warm but firm. "I'm glad you're here."

"Just Jane, please," she replied, a hint of a smile breaking through her nerves. It felt good to be back, yet daunting to know what lay ahead.

John wasted no time, quickly informing them of the ranch's layout—the room they had prepared for her in the main house, and the spacious boxes that awaited her horses, complete with fields where they could roam freely. "I've had a room set up for you in the main house," he said, gesturing toward the Dutton residence perched on the hillside. "The horses have their own paddocks as well."

As he introduced Rip to the group, Mary-Jane noticed the imposing figure of the foreman, his no-nonsense demeanor reflected in the way he surveyed the ranch operations. Rip offered a curt greeting, and within moments, he signaled to two wranglers to take her horses from the trailer. But before they could lead them away, Mary-Jane stepped forward, her heart swelling with affection as she reached out to stroke her gelding's neck and whisper soothing words.

"Just let me pet them first," she urged, watching the ranch hands' expressions shift from curiosity to surprise. They were accustomed to the smaller American Quarter Horses and Mustangs, but her horses were larger, more refined—gentle giants that exuded strength and grace.

Lloyd, Jimmy, Colby, Ryan, Walker, and Teeter, who had been working in the pastures, paused at the sight of the horse transport, their attention captured by the arrival of the newcomers. Teeter, with her distinct Arkansas drawl, broke the silence, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Who's the hottie in the passenger seat?" she exclaimed, eliciting chuckles from the others.

"Looks like city folk to me," Jimmy remarked, squinting toward the transport. "Wonder what they're doing here."

As two ranch hands led the magnificent horses into the paddock, Jimmy's eyes widened. "Jesus Christ," he muttered, taken aback by their size.

Lloyd leaned closer to the others, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I wanna see that 'little' girl handle those beasts," he declared, his voice tinged with a mix of skepticism and admiration.

Ryan chuckled, shaking his head. "I bet fifteen bucks she's just another fancy horse girl, used to everything being handed to her. Ain't no way she knows how to really ride those machines."

While the ranch hands bantered amongst themselves, Mary-Jane, blissfully unaware of their scrutiny, continued to pet her horses, her heart swelling with pride. She glanced up just in time to catch a glimpse of her uncle overseeing the scene, his authoritative presence casting a protective aura over the entire ranch.

Once the horses were settled in their new paddock, John turned his attention back to Mary-Jane. "We've got a riding arena with easy jumping props set up for you, and there are great trails nearby. You'll have everything you need to get back into the swing of things," he assured her, a hint of encouragement in his tone.

Elsa and Mathias exchanged grateful glances with John, their relief evident as they prepared to leave. After a heartfelt goodbye, Mary-Jane's parents climbed back into their car, leaving her standing at the threshold of this new chapter, her pulse racing with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

"Drive the transport up to the house and unload your things," John instructed, his tone more of an invitation than a command.

With a determined nod, Mary-Jane climbed back into the transport, the hum of the engine roaring to life beneath her as she maneuvered up the small hill toward the family home. The sight of the ranch house looming ahead filled her with a sense of belonging, but she couldn't shake the nervous flutter in her stomach.

As she parked and stepped out, the sun began its descent, casting a golden hue over the ranch, a welcoming warmth that seemed to whisper promises of adventures yet to come. Little did she know, her arrival would send ripples through the tightly knit fabric of Dutton family life, drawing her into the heart of a world where loyalty, love, and conflict danced together beneath the vast Montana sky.