Introduction

Part 2

Beth

It's one night, I reminded myself. First thing this kid needed was a wash. Sink it is.
I kicked off my heels, sending them opposite sides of the kitchen, whilst holding the baby outwards towards the sink. He needs a name, a name which would mean something. What about Cole? Or maybe give him a little piece of me how about I name him Dutton. No, I couldn't do that, he isn't mine. And also it seems that as I removed his diaper he is in fact a she.

Well those names are no longer an option. What was I going to wrap her up in? Not exactly like there were any baby clothes just hanging around. A securely wrapped blanket was going to have to do, it was all I had.
It seemed a lot easier in my head to just wrap a baby up in a blanket but even with two hands she was wiggling about causing me to go sit down in Rip's armchair.
"How about I call you Jane? Laney? Lillia?"
I had no idea nor did she by the looks she was giving me. Her eyes stared up at me bright and wide scanning my face. The small dark curls made her blue eyes stand out. I smoothed my hand over them as I stared at her. How beautiful.

The door swung open and almost immediately slammed shut "If I have to save Jimmy's ass one more time I swear to fucking God I will kill him" Rip huffed heading to the fridge, not looking over once. His head stayed in the air as he gulped down the coors beer heading over to his chair. Though before he got there he stopped and dropped the drink down to his side and then saw me sat there with an extra someone.
"Beth.." his hand pinched the bridge of his nose as he huffed.

"Before you say anything there's no need to worry. I am calling social services in the morning, found her in a trash can. I can give her a home for the night." I said not looking up at him. When I did look up I saw he was just staring at me with a grin it was small, but I could see it.

"First thing in the morning don't go getting attached now will ya?" He pointed his finger in my direction as he came over.

"Found her in a trash can huh" he sat on the couch swigging the last of his beer.

"Yeah. She was clearly abandoned, thrown away like dirt. Who could do that to their own child."

"Beth, there are people out there who don't care and yet God blesses them with a beautiful gift like that girl there."

"Yeah.." I looked down at the baby.
"I don't know what to name her. Any ideas?"

"Beth don't start going and getting attached to her. She ain't ours."

"I know. I just think she at least deserves a name she probably wasn't even given that."

I could see Rip was debating on what to say but before he could his phone went off. He lifted himself slightly from the couch and pulled the phone from his back pocket to his ear.
"Yeah" he answered.

I lifted my head slightly allowing my eyes to look over and listen to Rip.

"Send Walker and Ryan."

"Got to go back off to work?" I ask once he ends the call.

"No baby, I'm staying right here. They started that shit they can deal with it." he looked over at me and then tapped to the spot beside him . I stood up and slowly made my way over whilst still carrying the baby.

"First thing in the morning" he reminded as I leaned in beside him.

"First thing" I confirmed looking down at her.

"What are we going to do for her tonight then hmmm?" he asked looking into the fire.

"I didn't really get that far. Might go up to the ranch and see if daddy still has kayce's old crib hanging around."