Baby

8

A truck that belonged to the Yellowstone pulled up the driveway of the house, slowing down and coming to a stop. The engine ran for a few more minutes before shutting off, Baby leaning her head back against the headrest of the seat, her hands falling to her lap as she let out a slow sigh through her nose. She had gotten up earlier than normal this morning, taking the keys to the vehicle and leaving the ranch without letting anyone know -- even though she probably should have -- going into town for a personal trip, which helped her accept the loss of her older brother. A sniffle emitted from her, clearing her throat as she rose her head, taking the key from the ignition and grabbing her hat, placing it on her head as she slid out of the driver's side, hearing neighs coming from the horse Kayce had given to their father. She stuffed her hands in her coat pockets, walking over to the paddock, her eyes widening slightly when her father was bucked off the horse, landing on the floor with a hard thud.

"That is some gift" Rip commented as John pushed himself up

"God damn, that boy" John said

He mounted the horse once more, which caused him to buck and thrash around, Baby walking closer to the paddock. The gate to the paddock rattled as the horse crashed into it, causing Rip to take a small step back, watching as the animal ran around the enclosed space, his neighs filling the morning air. After a few minutes, he finally slowed down,

"I think I got him settled now" he muttered

Almost as soon as he said those words, the horse moved once more,

"Whoa, he's going over!" Rip informed

The horse purposely fell to the ground, throwing John from the saddle, this caused him to push himself back to his feet as soon as he could,

"That's one rank son of a bitch right there" he added "you ought to take him chest high in the river and see how much buck he's got then"

"No, no, this one, uh . ." John trailed off "this one may surprise you. Look at this, now his my . ." walking over to the horse "now he's my best goddamned friend"

"You want me to give him a go?" watching as he walked to the paddock gate

"No, hell no" he chuckled "this is a job for a young man with rubber bones"

"You know, that horse will make a hand out of someone" as John looked toward Jimmy, who was shoveling horse poop

Rip followed his gaze, a smirk forming on his lips,

"That's a good idea" he muttered "I'll be right back" walking over to the new ranch hand "hey, Jimmy? Go ahead and put that down"

"Baby" John said, noticing his silent daughter "glad to see you out of that room. Where'd you go this morning?"

She looked at him for a moment, looking down at the ground and walking over to him, as if she was getting ready to be scolded. The young woman removed her hands from her pockets, showing her father the top of her hands, which had suran wrap over them, covering her slightly irritated skin and new ink, which instantly gained johns attention. Geometric arrows were inked into her skin, starting at the top of her wrist and ending right under her middle fingernails.

John removed his gloves from his hands, stuffing them in the pockets of his own coat, reaching out and gently grasping his daughters hands, being mindful of the redness. They were beautiful, geometric designs clearly fit her, and they made perfect additions,

". . Lee was supposed to get the one on the right" she said

He looked at her as she spoke for the first time since that day, a small smile forming on his lips at the sound of her voice.

"They're beautiful" he replied, honesty in his voice

". . Can I talk to you later on?" raising her head, looking at him

"You can talk to me about anything" he assured

∆

Duct tape screeched as it was wrapped around Jimmy's legs and the stirrups, even wrapping around one of his hands, which was bound to the saddle.

"Look, I don't know nothing about horses" he said

"Well, you're getting a crash course, Jimmy" Rip replied as he added more tape

". . Should I pet him?" lookouts at the three that were at the fence of the paddock

Colby, Ryan and Baby laughed at his question, the second man nodding his head, wanting to see what would happen if the rowdy horse was pet,

"I don't think it's gonna make much difference" Rip replied, amusement in his voice

"You got it on your side?" John asked as he taped Jimmy's other leg

"Yeah, I'm good" he informed "you pull this so you don't flip back" holding a rope out to the low-man "you understand? All right? He's gonna hate it for shit, but whatever you do, Jimmy, don't you let go"

"Look, can we just -- can we talk about this for a second?" Jimmy asked as he walked out of the paddock

"Good luck, Jimmy" he said

"Twenty on the horse" Colby said "and forty on the ball"

"Fifty say he pukes" Baby spoke up

"You're on" Ryan smirked "I'd expect some resistance!"

"Define resistance" Jimmy said

"It kinda defines itself, Jimmy" Baby replied as her father climbed and jumped over the fence

"Let's go" John added "kick him"

The horse didn't need to be kicked, everyone watching as the he loudly neighed and roughly bucked in order to get Jimmy off of his back. But the duct tape prevented that, and Baby knew he was going to be sore for the next few weeks. She offered to train the horse herself, having a different way of training them with the more patient and gentle approach. It took some time, yes, but it earned the loyalty of the animal and the trust when it came to the other ranch hands, but her father instantly refused. She was just getting back to the way she was, and if she was to train a new horse, then it would be one he knew she could handle.

"Goddamn, that things a freight train" Rip commented

"Whoo-whee, I don't miss being low-man" Ryan chuckled as he watched Jimmy

"Low man's what turns you into cowboys" John replied "it'll make him one too"

"Oh, my god!" Jimmy yelled

Baby didn't know why, but his pain brought her amusement, lowering her head as she laughed, slightly feeling bad for it and for him, but her laughter increased when she heard one come from Rip.