Darling

15. old & new

Spencer huffed, grumbling under her breath but stalking off as Rip gently pulled her away. He couldn't help but chuckle, although his heart was swelling with pride at her coming to his rescue. The look on her face as she glared at Donnie, it was like she was looking into the man's soul; a face Rip had been on the receiving side of since he met the girl.

"Relax, Darlin', I'm not going anywhere any time soon," he whispered in her ear as they walked back to their horses. Rip couldn't help but notice the shiver that ran over Spencer as he spoke, making him almost giddy as he placed his hand on the small of her back. She sent him a wicked look, but he only looked at her with innocent eyes peeking over his sunglasses as she mounted her horse.

As the couple trotted their horses into the main barn, the officer from Fish and Game arrived, much to Spencer's disappointment. She had a few choice words for Rip, mostly about going out on his own to haze out the bear, the rest about pulling her away from the Sheriff at her father's request. It turned out she wasn't going to be able to speak her mind, however, as the officer requested Rip take her back to the scene of the crime. It took everything in her power not to roll her eyes at the officer. The woman looked equally attracted to and scared of Rip, and while Spencer was used to seeing that, the role of authority this woman had in the situation was pissing her off.

Rip could sense the attitude about to come out of Spencer's mouth, having seen her eyebrows draw together in a spiteful look. He nodded to the officer, handing his rifle off at her request, before leaning over to Spencer.

"You'll get your chance to rip me a new one when I get back Darlin'," he chuckled. "Just behave 'til I'm back alright?"

Spencer mumbled an agreement as he leaned in, sweeping her into a searing kiss before walking back to bring the officer to the hilltop. She turned off toward the house, deciding there was nothing better to do than lounge around while everything got settled, but it seemed the world had other plans for her. Monica's name popped onto Spencer's phone, and she stared as the device vibrated in her hand. She almost let it go to voicemail, picking it up before the final ring.

"I heard you were getting discharged today," Spencer's face drew into a big smile at the thought, happy to learn her sister-in-law was on the mend.

"Did you know?" Monicas's voice held hostility as she spoke.

"Know what?"

"Did. You. Know Spencer. That he killed my brother." Spencer's silence was enough of an answer as Monica laid into her. "You comforted me! You are a liar and you are just as bad as your father Spencer!"

That was enough for Spencer. "And who started this whole mess Monica? You would do best to keep in mind who started that stand off and who shot first. If I had been there, I would've done the same."

The gasp that rung from Monica before Spencer clicked the line dead told her that her words had hit home. Sure, there was a million other ways Kayce could've handled that decision, she wasn't doubting that. But part of the Dutton charm was fighting with your emotions, and Kayce was no different. And that conversation told Spencer one thing.

Kayce was coming home.

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Spencer found herself sitting on the porch, staring out over the ranch. She had always admired the land, forever grateful to have grown up on the stretching fields that led to the mountains. It was hard to come to terms with, but she knew, deep down, the vultures were circling and it could be a matter of years before the ranch was no longer home.

She had waved hello to her father, smiled at the kiss from Rip, but still she sat, staring almost into oblivion. It was around the time that Jamie pulled in that she snapped from her daze, her melancholy transforming into fury at the sight of her eldest sibling.

"You got a lot of fucking nerve showing up now Jamie," she seethed as he approached her on the porch. The confusion on his face made it clear he had no idea what she was talking about. "We've been dealing with the cops all morning, you haven't answered your phone once. Absolutely useless piece of shit you are."

Jamie still stared at his sister in confusion, trying to scan his memory for a moment when Christina pulled him aside. Fuck, Christina.

"Who the hell do you think you are not answering your phone?" John's voice bellowed as he stomped out of the house. "We needed you."

"Christina had my phone, I didn't-"

"Save your fucking excuses Jamie," John cut him off, surprising Spencer and Rip. This was the first time in a while they had seen him so worked up. "One of us calls, you answer the phone. I don't give a damn about your campaign. In fact, I'm pulling my support."

Spencer watched Jamie's eyes all but bulge out of his head. "You can't do that! I have sacrificed everything for this family and this ranch!"
John stopped in his tracks, a cold expression came over him as he looked over Jamie. He stepped closer, leaving everyone unsure of what he would do. Jamie's face morphed into one of shock and pain as he clutched his cheek, a red splotch forming underneath. "You have done nothing for this ranch, everything you have done is to help yourself when I'm dead. You will drop out, or you will leave."

John turned around, and that was when Jamie shoved him. Spencer clammered from her seat, fighting wildly against Rip to get to her father and brother as John turned and landed a punch to his son's face. He was not one to condone violence, but he had always taught his children to swing last. The two continued to fight, ignoring Spencer's cries. Rip realized he would have to let her go if he was going to break the men apart. He hoisted her over his shoulder, dropping her promptly on her butt inside the front door before closing it, hustling to pull Jamie away from John.

Spencer huffed, pushing herself to her feet and out the door, slightly disappointed to see Rip had handled the situation before she could jump in. She gave him a frustrated look which almost made his grip on Jamie falter. Rather than further escalate the situation, Spencer turned to her father, tending to the bruise that was blooming on his jaw.

He sighed as he looked to his daughter, "I don't even know who I'm trying to save this place for anymore, Tiny."

She didn't respond for a moment, feeling the dread and despair drop in her gut like an anchor. "Well then we'll fight to send it forward, who it goes to can be figured out later. Can't give out what you don't have Daddy."

Spencer kept her voice even, but even her father could hear the anger hiding within her words. They hadn't spoken about the argument that had ensued at the dinner the week earlier, John had no idea what to tell his daughter. It would be foolish of him to admit he hadn't even thought of giving the ranch to her, he hadn't even realized she wanted it. But maybe, maybe Spencer could be the change the ranch needed to make it something worth saving.

John turned away, realizing he had been studying his daughter for too long. His gaze swept over the pastures, past the few wranglers and to the sun dipping behind the mountains in the distance. This, this is what he had wanted his children to inherit and love. The calm and the serenity. He was starting to realize he may be leaving them a legacy that was filled with anguish and hatred instead. 

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author's note. hi all! so sorry for the late update, travel plans home got all sorts of screwed up so I wasn't able to post until today because I wanted to finish up and make sure it all made sense. I'll have more updates tomorrow to make up for missing last week!