Fallin' Head Over Boots

One.

Dakota parked her truck in the drive of her Montana home. Well, it had been her parent's house, but it was hers now. Her mom had died a few years back, and with the recent passing of her dad, she was the only one left to keep it. The house had been in the family for generations so she had no choice but to take over the ranch. There was no way Dakota was letting some stranger come and take the place.

She shut the truck off, staring at the ranch house. It used to be her favorite place, but it only held pain for her these days. The good memories still existed, like ghosts in the rooms. You couldn't see them, but the memories were there, and would be until the house no longer stood.

Dakota put her forehead in her palm, her bottom lip quivering as the tears threatened to fall yet again. She'd cried plenty of times over the last few days. The news of dad's passing was so sudden and unexpected. There'd been no time to prepare for the loss. All she could do was take it one day at a time.

A dog barking caught her attention. She glanced out of the window and noticed her dad's dog, Mya. She was standing on her back paws and looking into Dakota's truck, her tongue sticking out.

She laughed and opened the truck door. Mya stood back, wagging her tail as she waited patiently. Dakota got out and knelt down on the gravel, accepting Mya's kisses. "Yeah, I miss him, too," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Mya whined and leaned her head on Dakota's knee. She pat her head gently, massaging around her ears every now and then. The husky laid on her back, gesturing for a belly rub. It made Dakota smile as she ran her hands along the soft fur of Mya's belly.

"You're such a pretty girl," Dakota said, kissing Mya's cheek before pushing herself off the ground. "Let's go see what needs to be done around here. I bet you're hungry, huh?"

Mya barked in response and trotted just ahead of her. Dakota followed her to the other animals. They all needed water and food, but they all seemed to look well. They hadn't been without for too long. She made her way to the side of the barn, grabbing the hose that was coiled on the side. Dakota turned the water on, taking care of the horses, cattle, Mya, and the cats. All of them started drinking immediately.

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to get here sooner," she said to the horses. Her eyes roamed each horse until she found her paint, Millie. The horse was the same as Mya - excited to see Dakota. She trotted her way over to the fence and put her head over, nosing Dakota's cheek as a sign of missing her.

She reached up and scratched Millie's neck. "I know, girl. It's been too long. I'm sorry." Millie whinnied in response. Dakota kissed her nose gently.

The sound of a vehicle coming up the drive caused her to turn, narrowing her hazel eyes to see who it was. She wasn't at all surprised to see her cousin, Derek Kolbaba, driving up. The fact that he had come to check on her warmed her heart.

When he parked, she walked up to the truck, opening the door. She immediately embraced him as soon as he stepped out. His arms wrapped around her tightly. He'd been close to her mom since he came and stayed with them every summer when they were younger. Her mom had been his favorite aunt, always spoiling him when he visited.

"How are you holding up?" he asked, pulling away to get a good look at her face.

She wiped under her eyes. "It's been really hard. I wasn't prepared, you know?" A sigh escaped her.

"I know. I don't think anyone was," he said honestly. He brushed some brown hair from her cheek, her tears causing it to stick to her skin. "You look great, though. I wasn't sure how the city would treat you."

His comment managed a laugh from her. "It wasn't at all what I'd expected. I'm glad to be home. I just wish it was under different circumstances."