Gracie Dutton

3

Sunday night rolled around and Gracie couldn't be more relieved to go to school on Monday. She needed to get away from the ranch and confide to her friends about the new truths revealed. She was anxious, sleep not coming to her as she tossed and turned. Her mind couldn't stop dwelling over Beth and Rip; who she had successfully avoided all weekend. She turned her head to read the time on her alarm clock: 2:48. Gracie let out a sigh as she gave up on the idea of sleep. She threw her covers back and slipped on her slippers before quietly making her way downstairs. She grabbed her favorite blanket off the back of one of the long sofas and exited out to the front porch to sit in her favorite rocker. She curled up, tugging the blanket close around her, shielding herself from the cool night air. She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but she knew not much as she saw a familiar Yellowstone truck pull up in front of the lodge. She watched in silence, confusion etched on her features. A nervous roll plummeted over her when she noticed Rip climb down from the truck and make his way to the front porch where she resided. As he climbed the stairs, he looked shocked to find Gracie sitting there.
Rip had just returned from branding a young man, Austin, who John was taking in as a favor to the boys grandfather. Austin was twenty-one years old. His parents both died from using drugs and unfortunately, Austin got himself mixed in on dealing, trying to pay off the people his parents owed. His grandfather had gotten wind of this and went to John, asking him to take in Austin, in hopes that the men prowling on Austin would get lost.
"Gracie, what are you doing out here at this hour?" Rip questioned, worry etched upon his features. Gracie looked up into his eyes as she shrugged lightly.
"I couldn't sleep," she answered softly. Rip felt his heart tug, assuming that the news she had received was the reason she was having a hard time sleeping.
"Let me go inside and talk to John. Will you still be out here when I get back?" Rip was hoping she would be, as he wanted a moment alone with his daughter. Gracie simply nodded and stayed put until Rip emerged back on the porch after letting John know the branding was done. Rip took a seat beside Gracie, allowing for a moment of silence before he spoke.
"You doing ok?" He asked carefully as he turned his head to look at her. Gracie had always felt a pull towards Rip. He was always there for her through the years and she had come to hold him as a special person in her life. Gracie leaned her head back against her chair, looking up at the roof of the porch as she felt the tears pool in her eyes. She rolled her head to the side so she was looking at Rip. Her lip quivered as she took in the man before her, the man she resembled almost perfectly.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked desperately. She spent so much time with Rip through the years. She couldn't have imagined how hard that was for him. To have her, yet she was just out of reach. She assumed that was always the way it went with him and her mother as well - Beth never able to admit her feelings for Rip. Rip kept his emtions intact, wanting to stay put together for his daughters sake.
"I wanted to Gracie, more than you know, baby. Your mama wasn't having it though. I respect Beth too much to go against her wishes. Even if I didn't raise you, I felt that you had a right to know where you came from. I'm glad you know now. I just wish you had found out on better terms." Rip was so angry at Jamie and once he got him alone, it wasn't going to be pretty.
The tears rolled down Gracie's cheeks as she listened to Rip's admission. She felt that familiar anger bubbling towards Beth.
"It's not fair! She doesn't get to dictate my life when she decided to not be apart of it! She comes home whenever she pleases or when dad needs her, then she picks up and runs off just as fast as she came! She hates this place. How can she hates this place if I am here? I needed a mother! I'm eighteen years old! All my life I have looked up to her and she pays me no mind. She acts as if I don't exist!" Gracie hysterically sobbed. Rip quickly jumped out of his chair and pulled Gracie up into his embrace. He began stroking her hair, something he had always done to soothe Beth.
"She loves you, Gracie. She loves you more than anything. That's why she forces herself to stay away. She is punishing herself. It's okay to be angry, honey, but it's not fair to only be angry at her."
Gracie knew he was right. She took a deep breath and began regaining control of herself. She relaxed as the scent of horses and leather filled her nostrilsw. Rip felt her body leaning heavily against him and he looked down at her relaxed figure.
"Let's get you up to bed, honey." Rip led her to the front door and up the stairs to her room. Gracie climbed in bed and Rip pulled the covers over her.
"You get some sleep, alright? We'll talk more tomorrow. You have a good day at school." Rip pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before walking over to her bedroom door.
"Thank you for sitting with me," she told him sleepily, grateful the relationship between her and Rip hadn't changed after finding out that he was her father.
"Honey, you don't ever have to thank me." Rip then left her room, closing her bedroom door behind him. He then heard another door opening down the hall. He turned and saw Beth standing in her doorway.
"Is everything okay? I could hear her crying out on the porch." Beth looked up at him nervously, worry and guilt consuming her. Rip let out a sigh as he stood in front of the mother of his child.
"She's hurt and confused. I know deep down she understands, but she's young. It's hard on her, but I know she'll be just fine. Gracie's strong, just like her mama." Beth bit her lip as she felt her eyes watering.
"I haven't gotten a chance to talk to her yet. She's been avoiding me the past few days- I can tell. I don't want her to hate me, Rip. I couldn't live with myself if she did." Beth covered her mouth to keep her sob in. Rip quickly stepped forward, gently guiding Beth into her room, before closing the door behind him. He held Beth tightly as she broke down in his arms. He stroked her hair slowly.
"Everythings going to be alright. This is hard on everyone. Why don't you try talking to her after school tomorrow?" Rip would help his girls in anyway he could. He gently cupped Beth's face. "Don't be afraid. You can do this and if you need me, you know I'll be there. You don't got to go through this alone." Beth felt a fresh wave of tears roll out of her eyes at Rip's words.
    "I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to do this with you or how to be a mother to Gracie. I'm not mother material. I can't be what you both need."
Rip quickly shushed her.
"Beth, none of know what this is supposed to look like. We all have to figure it out together, but it's not fair for you to dictate it for the rest of us, you understand?" Beth sniffled as she nodded. Rip placed a soft kiss on her forehead, silently praying she would let him in for good this time.
"Rip, please don't leave me alone tonight," she quietly pleaded.
"I wouldn't dream of it, darlin'." Rip placed a soft, chaste kiss to her lips before climbing in bed beside her, their bodies connecting like puzzle pieces. Right in this moment, Rip knew this was where he belonged. The love of his life beside him and their daughter nearby. He just hoped nothing would tear them apart again.