The Peacemaker - A Yellowstone Story

Kill the Messenger

"Think I got him settle...."

This was not what Delilah wanted to see the first thing in the morning. She came outside to see her father on an unbroken horse, the one Kayce left for them to use and so far, it was them that was being use, not the horse.

"Daddy, what are you doing on him, he ain't broken yet?"

"Yeah, but this is the only way ARGH!" Her and Rip watched as the horse jerked John Dutton off of him, attempting to crush him, but move just in time not to. 

"Daddy!" She ran up to the fence just as he stood up and dusted off his hat. He made his way up to the fence where his youngest was, worried half to death about him. "You are too old to be doing this kind of stuff Daddy, you could get hurt."

"Sorry sweetpea," He kissed her head, hugging her while being careful of her growing belly. "But someone has to do it. Goddamn that boy."

"Heh. Some gift. That's one rank son of a bitch right there. Oughta take him chest - high in the river. See how much buck he's got in him then." Delilah playfully slapped Rip's chest, laughing at his remark against the mare before him.

"This one might might surprise you."

"Yeah, by putting you in a wheelchair." Rip laughed at her remark. Out of all the children, she was the most worrisome when it came to their father's health, Beth being a close second. 

After about 30 minutes or so, John finally give up on the horse for now, making Delilah very happy. 

"Want me to give him a go?" Rip offered.

"I need you healthy. Delilah gave me an idea, that this job, is for a young man. With rubber bones." Rip realized what John was trying to say, and unfortunately, so does Delilah. Of course if her dad doesn't do it, it has to be the new hand. Poor Jimmy.

"That'll make a hand out of someone." The three looked at a very grossed out Jimmy as he was scooping up manure from the other corral. 

"I know the someone who needs it." Oh here we go.

.o0o.

"I don't know nothing about horses." To say that Jimmy was not to keen on getting on a horse, especially if they haven't be broken yet. Delilah watched as Her father and Rip duct taped the poor soul onto the saddle, making him stay put.

"You're getting a crash course."

"Should I pet him?" She felt bad for laughing, but Jimmy is kind of funny when he freaks out.

"I don't think that'll make much difference with this one." Just as he finished, she felt arms wrapped around her and her belly, she turned to see Ryan grinning like a idiot at Jimmy, Colby right next to him.

"Hey Darlin'." He gave Delilah a kiss on her temple, relishing her sweet scent of vanilla and lavenders. 

"Can we just ....... Talk about this for a second?" After making sure Jimmy was secured on the horse. The two hands began to laugh.

"I got 20 on the horse." Ryan called out, making Delilah snickered beneath Ryan.

"I got 40 on the wall." Of course Colby joined in. Him and Ryan were like glue. Never apart.

"Walk him out. Let's go." John led Jimmy into the corral while Rip joined the others by the fence.

"I'd expect some resistance." Rip joked, but at the same time, expected Jimmy to be a different hand after this.

"Define resistance."

"Resistance is the kind of thing that defines itself, Jimmy." John stepped back while Jimmy stared at them, scared for his life.