Yellowstone

Chapter 35 - In The Offing

Elisabeth slid into the bar with a hand in her pocket and Rip just behind her.

"What's this place called again?" She asked as Rip seated himself beside her in a bar stool.

"Beer City Music Hall. Some band is supposed to be playin' tonight."

"Ah... I gotcha."

She looked over her shoulder as a man and woman sang together, a few people gathered in front of the stage.

As she stared, she began to fidget with her necklace, suddenly longing for Walker's presence.

'Dammit. It's gonna be a long month without him.'

Elisabeth already hated spending so much time around Rip, constantly walking on eggshells because she knew she wouldn't get off scot free the way Beth did.

'Gotta hide it from her for as long as I can too... God knows she'll go ballistic when she finds out.'

Knowing Beth's history with motherhood and the ability to have children, she was always going to be jealous of those around her who were able bodied while she wasn't.

*~*~*~*~*

"Have y'all started thinkin' about names yet?" Ryan asked as his horse fell in line with Walker's.

"Not yet. Little too early." Walker answered, making eye contact with the male beside him.

"Can I ask you somethin'?"

"Shoot."

"How come y'all are tryna hide it from so many people? You don't have to answer, I'm just curious."

"Well... you know how Rip's been. He'd prolly lash out at her and tear me a new one too. I guess his lady friend... fuck, I don't remember her name. Farmer's daughter. I guess she's sensitive about motherhood? I dunno."

Ryan nodded, inhaling sharply through his teeth. "Ah, I gotcha."

"I'm just tryna keep her from getting too stressed out, y'know? I don't want anything bad to happen to her or the baby."

Ryan simply nodded once more. "I understand."

As Lloyd hollered for the men to keep up, they ended their conversation there and cantered up with the rest of the hands.

*~*~*~*~*

"You look stiff as hell." Rip told Elisabeth, nudging her in the shoulder. "Have a beer, loosen up a little."

"Nah... I don't want one." She murmured, watching as five men took the stage, all clad in dressy cowboy attire.

"Too depressed to drink or somethin'? I know you like Walker but c'mon, he's not here. Drink a little."

Bass began to fill the room as the frontman introduced himself and the band started out on their first song.

"I'm just tryna cut back, is that a problem?" She asked with an arched eyebrow, clearly irritated by Rip's pushiness.

Rip flinched suddenly, shocked at her sudden reaction. "Jeez, my bad for wanting you to have fun."

"Yeah... fun." She mumbled, taking a long sip of her water before directing her attention to the stage.