Crashing down like Lightning - A Rip Wheeler FF

2 - Don't hide from me

- PoV Rip -

This was something none of us expected. Lee Dutton got shot last night. The eldest son, the one who was prepared all his life to take over this ranch after his father. He was a good person, he didn't deserve this.

On the morning of his funeral, me and the wranglers, all clothed in black, were waiting outside the Duttons Family house for them to arrive. The Pastor was already standing at the side, waiting to start his speech so that this nightmare could be forgotten and drowned in new work. Opening the door and coming down the porch steps was John, followed by Jamie and Beth, which looked like two beaten dogs that were dragged out of the house by a leash. A few of the wranglers started ahead with them down the gravel road to the private graveyard of the family. But I waited patiently until Sky stepped out the door. 

Her small body was wrapped in a tight black dress, leaving her arms naked but going down to her knees. Her blonde hair was slightly curled, giving them a bit more volume and bouncing with every step she took. Furthermore, her skin had a light tan showing off her muscular arms, which she earned through hard work. A black cowboy hat rested lower than usual on her head, and her pretty blue eyes were covered by a pair of dark sunglasses. 

While we all gathered around the hole, which contained the wooden coffin John picked out for his oldest son, the Pastor began speaking a few words in Lee's honor. As Sky stood beside her Father, I could get an even better look at her. Her cheeks seemed wet from crying, and her body shook with silent sobs while she was holding onto her Father's Arm. Every time the pastor mentioned Lee's name, another Tear ran down her face, making it hard for me to just stand there and watch her drown in sorrow. Yes, I was furious when she arrived yesterday out of the blue, but nobody deserved to lose their big brother for that. Not like this. Not after they spend just one single day together after 8 years apart. 

After the pastor finished and every one of us shoved a bit of dirt down the hole, now holding Lee's body captive in his coffin, I saw the Duttons discussing something back at the main house. I could see all of them nodding towards their father before each of them descended in another direction. Sky's small body shakingly walked through the barn doors, and I instantly knew where she was heading. Slowly, I followed her.

Before I even came to a stop in front of her mare's stall, I could already hear her cries. The door was slightly open, so I looked inside. The blond girl sat in the straw next to her chestnut horse, petting the mare on her soft nose. Her small frame was shaking wildly while more tears were running down her cheeks, making it hard for me to stay silent. Lightning looked up when she noticed my presence, which made her owner look up too, an uneasy smile on her face when she saw it was me. "Not now, Rip," she breathed weekly while wiping at her tears. "Now's a really bad time." I didn't say a word; I just crouched down to her and pulled her into my arms.

- PoV Change Sky - 

I just couldn't hold it back anymore. The second that he pulled me into his arms, my hands fisted his black button down, and I pulled myself even deeper to his chest, letting the tears run free. One of his big hands rested on my back, drawing small circles with his thump. He smelled good, just like I remembered, but his frame got so much wider. It nearly felt like being hugged by a grizzly. Even though my Life just cracked at the edges and everything was fucking complicated, I enjoyed this little moment. This intimate moment reminded me of our past and how everything could have gone an easier way for us if I had never kissed him. That god-dawn drunken kiss. "It's okay, darling," he whispered, his breath slightly brushing my ear. "It's not Rip. He's dead. My fucking brother is dead," and with that, the whole waterfall came crushing down again, and I buried my face in his chest.