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

viii

As the afternoon sun began to dip behind the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the camp, the air filled with the sounds of bustling activity. The ranch hands were busy setting up tents, rolling out sleeping bags, and preparing for the evening ahead. A fire crackled in the center of the camp, its flickering flames dancing against the dimming sky.

Jane stood by the hitching post, brushing Rex's coat one last time before he and Rocky settled into the pasture for the night. The day had been long, but the satisfaction of a good ride lingered, along with the faint thrill of having taken Jimmy along for the adventure. She couldn't help but smile at how well the day had turned out. As she finished grooming Rex, she glanced over at the campfire where a few of the hands had already gathered, laughing and chatting.

Ryan was there, standing off to the side, poking at the fire with a stick, clearly in thought. His cowboy hat was tipped low over his brow, his features bathed in the glow of the flames. Jane hesitated for a moment, feeling a slight flutter in her chest. They didn't know each other well, but there was something about him that intrigued her—the quiet strength, the way he seemed to blend into the ranch life so effortlessly. Maybe tonight would be a chance to break that barrier, to get to know him better.

Before she could make up her mind, a voice cut through the air behind her. "Mind if I join in?" The voice had a Southern drawl to it, smooth and slow like honey dripping from a spoon. Jane turned around to see a man sauntering toward the fire, guitar slung over his shoulder. He was tall, lean, with an air of confidence about him that bordered on cocky. His worn hat, dusted with dirt, sat low on his head, and his sharp blue eyes sparkled mischievously in the firelight.

It was Walker.

"Looks like I showed up just in time," he said, flashing a grin as he approached the group. "I heard there was a fire and some good company, so I figured I'd check it out."

Ryan's eyes flickered up from the fire, and a subtle tension seemed to settle in the air. Walker was a drifter, a former ranch hand who had once decided to leave but eventually came back to work at the ranch again—whether by choice or necessity, no one really knew. Though John had allowed him to return, not everyone was pleased by his presence. He had a way of showing up at the most inconvenient times, and Jane could sense that his arrival had caused a shift in the atmosphere, especially around Ryan. 

Walker's gaze landed on Jane, his smile widening as he walked over. "And who might you be?" he asked his tone easy but with a certain charm behind it. "Don't think we've met."

"Jane," she replied, offering a polite smile. "I'm John's niece. Just here for a while to train up my horses."

"Ah, well, I reckon you're the one all the boys have been talking about then," Walker said, his eyes twinkling. "You sure made quite an impression today."

Jane laughed lightly, shaking her head. "I think they were more impressed with Jimmy surviving the ride."

Walker chuckled and glanced over at Ryan, whose expression had darkened just a little. "Yeah, well, you've probably made an impression on more than just Jimmy," he said with a knowing grin.

Ryan looked up then, locking eyes with Walker, his jaw tightening just a fraction. He didn't say anything, but the tension between the two men was palpable. Walker seemed to sense it too, but instead of backing off, he pulled his guitar from his back and sat down on one of the logs by the fire.

"How 'bout some music, then? Always good to end a day with a song." He started to strum a few chords, filling the camp with the mellow, soulful sound of his guitar. His voice, low and smooth, drifted into the air as he began to sing a familiar country tune.

Jane couldn't deny that Walker had a certain charm. His voice was good, and the way he played the guitar seemed effortless, but she also noticed Ryan watching him with a wary gaze. The ranch hand hadn't moved from his spot near the fire, but there was something simmering beneath his cool demeanor.

After a few songs, Walker glanced at Jane again, his eyes lingering a little too long. "Maybe you can join me for a duet sometime," he said, flashing her a smile that was undeniably flirtatious.

Jane smiled back, but before she could respond, Ryan stood up, tossing the stick he'd been holding into the fire. "How 'bout we get some food started instead of all this singin'?" Ryan said, his tone not harsh but firm enough to break the moment.

Walker shrugged, clearly unfazed. "Suit yourself, cowboy. I'll keep playin' for whoever wants to listen."

Ryan walked over to Jane, his expression softened as he nodded toward the fire. "Come on. Let's get somethin' to eat. You've earned it after wranglin' Jimmy all day."

Jane followed him, grateful for the interruption. As they moved toward the fire where some of the others were starting to cook, she glanced over at Ryan. "You didn't have to do that, you know. I don't mind a little music."

Ryan shrugged, though his eyes still held that quiet intensity. "I didn't figure you were here to get serenaded by some drifter."

Jane chuckled, pulling off her gloves and tossing them onto the nearby table. "No, I'm not. But it was nice of him to offer."

Ryan looked at her then, really looked at her, like he was trying to figure something out. "You been gettin' used to the way things work around here?" he asked, his voice low.

"Yeah, I have," Jane said, meeting his gaze. "It's different from what I'm used to, but I like it. It feels... real out here."

Ryan nodded, his eyes softening a little. "Yeah. It's real all right. It ain't easy, though."

"I never expected it to be," Jane replied. "I like a challenge."

Ryan smiled then, a small but genuine one, and Jane felt a warmth spread through her chest. There was something about his quiet confidence, the way he didn't need to say much but still managed to make her feel at ease.

As the two of them stood by the fire, dishing out food and sharing small conversations, Jane noticed how the evening seemed to settle into a calm rhythm. Walker's guitar continued to strum in the background, and the crackling of the fire added a peaceful ambiance to the night.

At one point, Ryan glanced over at her, his voice softening. "You're gonna fit in here just fine, you know that?"

Jane looked at him, her heart skipping a beat. "You think so?"

"I know so," Ryan said, his eyes locking onto hers. There was a quiet promise in the way he said it, something that made her feel like, even though she was still getting to know him, she might just find something more out here than just training horses.

And maybe, just maybe, that something was starting with Ryan.