Everyone knows the Dutton family.
John, the father.
Lee, the bachelor.
Beth, the merciless banker.
Jamie, the lawyer.
Kayce, the horseman.
But there is one member of the family who is always underestimated by those outside of Yellowstone Ranch...
Travis Wheatley, a known cowboy, professional horseman, and horse trainer from Texas as well as a nationwide rodeo competitor representing Bosque Ranch. He's a Texas native and a cowboy at heart, but in all honesty, a no nonsense rodeo man. One of his best acts as a cowboy was his ride in San Saba, Texas. But he is usually buying, selling, and trading horses with various ranches, including Yellowstone. He had known the Dutton's for some time, and often presented the best horses he had with him. This morning, Travis was on his horse in arena, presenting a few horses to John, Rip and Jamie. Baby walked over to the men, handing a mug of coffee toward her father, and one toward Rip, the head of the bunkhouse giving her a small nod while her John lifted her hat and placed a kiss on her head before putting it back on.
She stood on the other side of Rip, away from Jamie, who she hadn't spoken to since the night in the stables, and John was livid when he found out that Jamie was responsible for her bruises, and she didn't want to know what was done. With her own cup of coffee in her hands, Baby gave Travis a small wave, who smiled and returned the gesture. But his smile fell slightly when he saw the fading bruise on her neck that was in the shape of a hand, and Rip didn't like it either.
"You need me to take care of someone?" Rip asked lowly "preferably in a . . extremely violent way?"
". . Ryan beat you to it" she replied ". . Do I talk too much?"
"Only when you're in a real good mood" shrugging slightly "even then, you don't talk anyone's ear off. Are you sure I can't punch him?"
"Yes, I'm sure" a light chuckle emitting from her
"Not even break his nose a little?" a smirk on his lips, which grew when she nudged his arm with her own
"Who do you want to see first, John?" Travis asked
"Surprise me" he replied, something that he always said whenever Travis dropped by with a new selection
"Hey, Andrea!" He called out "bring him!"
A male in a turquoise colored shirt rode a horse toward them,
"This is Little Joe Cash" Travis informed "nine-year-old stallion. He's a NRHA Futurity winner, AQHA world champion" the horse skidding to a stop before spinning around "he's a CRHA Challenge Futurity winner. The only thing he ain't won is the Kentucky Derby, and that's cause he ain't no fucking racehorse"
"How much?" John asked
"Mm . ." looking at the horse "I could get 'em bought for about five"
"Five hundred seems cheap for a Futurity winner" Jamie commented
"Just goes to show how much he really knows the ranch" Baby muttered lowly, taking a drink of her coffee
"Five million" Travis chuckled
"Ah, for hells sake, Travis" John said
"You said bring the best" defending himself with a smirk "that's the best right there"
"Does it say I just moved here from San Diego on my goddamned hat band?" setting his mug down on the fence
"He's got a four thousand dollar stud fee, okay?" He informed "he's booked for the full season, booking up for next year. He pays for himself in three years, all right? And then he keeps paying you. You want to see a cheaper horse? You want to see a two-hundred-thousand dollar horse? Let me show you. Hey, Tom! Bring him down!"
Tom rode over to them on the horse he was mounted on,
"That's pretty fancy" Rip commented
"He's got about a hundred thousand in earnings" Travis informed as the horse skidded to a stop, spinning around next "you gotta put this one on the road. You gotta go in. There's no guarantee with his babies, all right? He makes nice foals, but . ."
"What's that one Tim's on?" Baby asked
"That's Custom-Made Gun" he replied "that's that horse Kate KcCutcheon's winning everything on. Hey, Tim! Bring him down!"
Custom-Made Gun ran over to them, skidding to a stop without bringing up as much dirt,
"He's angry and mean" Travis chuckled "you gotta have your big-boy pants on when you ride that one. You could probably get him bought for about a million. Two-hundred-thousand in earnings. But if you're looking to raise Cadillac Ranch horses, that is your stud"
"Why don't we just breed the one Kayce gave you?" Jamie asked
"No one can ride the damn thing, Jamie" John replied "which one do you like?"
"I like that five-million dollar bastard that just sprung a hole in the ground" Rip replied, pointing to Little Joe Cash "but it ain't my money"
"We can't do it" Jamie said
"Don't ever tell me what I can and can't do" John replied
"Baby," Travis said "I got something for you"
"Oh, God" the woman muttered "it's not another dumb shirt is it?"
"You love those dumb shirts" he smirked "but no, it's not. This was a special request from your old man and Lee" looking at the others "hey, Tom! Go get him!"
Andrea took the reins of the horse Tom was on, allowing him to dismount and jump over the paddock's fence, jogging over to their transport and opening the back. He walked inside, staying in there for a moment before walking out with a rope in his hands, a soft gasp emitting the woman at the sight of a male buckskin,
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Tom walked the horse inside the paddock, making his way over to the four, John looking at his youngest with a smile as tears formed in her eyes. Ever since she was a child, Spirit; Stallion of The Cimarron has been her all-time favorite movie, and she had once asked her father if he could find a horse that looked exactly like the one in the movie. Baby rarely asked for things, but he didn't promise anything, just that he would try to find one for her, and the last time Travis stopped by, Lee was the one who pulled him aside and made the request since he knew a lot about horses. She looked up at the horse grew closer, the average height of the horse was five feet, but this one looked to be around six even,
"God, you are beautiful" she said softly
A happy smile formed on her lips, setting her mug down on the fence and walking to her father, throwing her arms around his neck, a chuckle emitting from him as he returned the gesture.
"Thank you, Daddy" she said
"You deserve this" he replied
She pulled back, looking at the horse with a smile that lit up everyone's morning. Baby stepped onto the fence, reaching her hand out, palm facing the horse, which watched her movement with calculated eyes. A chuckle emitted from her when the horse softly nickered, pressing his nose into her palm, the first sign of his trust of the woman,
"Have fun breaking this one" Travis said
"I don't break them" she replied, gently rubbing the horses long face "you should know that by now. But thank you" looking at him
"He doesn't have a name" he informed
"What's it gonna be?" Rip asked, looking at her
"It's gotta be the one" she replied, her touch gentle on the large animal ". . Spirit"
