Author's Note: I don't own Yellowstone nor any of its characters. I only own the plot to the story and a few characters, which are my own.
Summary: Follows the Series with addition of twins Colton and Georgia Dutton. The youngest of the six Dutton children. Both travelled different life paths away from the ranch. Georgie is studying to be a vet in the UK. Colton in the Army. The Dutton twins come home after being told their older brother Lee has been killed.
AN: Reviews and Feedback is greatly appreciated. Story is cross posted on Archive Of Our Own under the same title.
Chapter 10 New Beginning
Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, Bozeman Paradise Valley Montana
March 2019
Dad's stay in the hospital turned out to be slightly longer than a few days. One week soon turned into two. He kept pulling his stitches, and he started to bleed internally again. The surgeons repaired the damage, stopped the bleeding.
Dad was expected to make a full recovery. Georgie went to the hospital every single day. Beth as well would go mostly during non visiting hours. Kayce took Tate to see Dad when he was in hospital last weekend.
With Dad in hospital, I was acting in his stead as the Livestock Commission. This gave me a taste of what I'd have to do when I took over from Dad as Livestock Commissioner. When he finally retired.
My first week as acting Livestock Commissioner had been nothing but quite. We had a spate of cattle rustling. The Rustlers had been cornered by old Eddie Durham. They were trying to make off with some of his cattle.
Old Eddie was shot for his troubles, he was going to make it. Thanks to Eddie we had now had something to go one tracking down the rustlers. Working with Donnie we managed to find out who the rustlers were.
The Rustlers didn't come quietly far from it. It was a bloodied shootout to the end. Four dead, three wounded taken to the hospital.
Ryan caught a bullet to the vest. I caught a shotgun blast to the vest, a bullet grazed my arm, I was in need of a new hat. It took a couple of bullets. A bullet had grazed the side of my head.
The stress of the news that I had been shot, sent Maddie into premature labour that and the preeclampsia. Thank God for Rip and Lloyd. They took Maddie to Bozeman Memorial in the Helicopter.
Our little cowgirls Alexandrea Ivy and Evelyn Amelia Dutton were born thirteen hours later. Alex was born first she weighed six pounds and seven ounces, Evie came into the world less then ten minutes after Alex was born a few pounds lighter then Alex at six pounds five ounces.
Alex was born with a head full of blonde hair, she got from Mama, Evie was dark brown black like mine and Maddie's
Because the twins were five weeks premature they were taken to the NICU to be monitored for the next week or two. Then we could possibly take them home after that. Connie Maddie's mom was a god send.
She flew up from Oklahoma, the day after the twins were born. She looked after Will and Cody, while I had my hands full keeping the ranch going with Kayce and Rip, and standing in for Dad as the Livestock Commission.
Connie was taking the boys to school, and I was heading into the office in Bozeman. Georgie was giving Rip, Kayce and the wranglers a hand with fencing. Beth was who knows where. Dad and Maddie were still in the hospital.
Just as we were heading out the door, Kayce's phone rang. Dad had checked himself out of the hospital. Stubborn old bastard. Kayce was heading into town to pick Dad up from the hospital.
Connie got the boys situated in the car. They gave me a hug and kiss before getting into the car. If I wasn't busy at the office. I'd swing by the hospital to check on Maddie and the girls.
I got into my truck heading into Bozeman.
Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, Bozeman Paradise Valley Montana
March 2019
They were putting in a new fence in Pasture Eight. Jimmy was on the ATV running wire between the posts. While the other wranglers sunk post holes, driving pickets into the ground and wrapping wire.
The tension between Walker and Rip was the worst it had ever been. Georgie was driving pickets into the ground with a post driver. Driving fence posts into the ground with one of these for days on end would get you into shape real quick.
"This is lowman's work Jimmy"Walker mouthed off.
"What do you think you are? ''Lloyd snorted.
"Why isn't Cowboy out here"Jimmy questioned.
"He's a day worker Jimmy, he's ass stays in the saddle."Rip explained as Ryan was filling in the hole the post had just been put in.
"I've had jobs where my ass never left the saddle either."
"Well maybe you have stayed there Walker"Rip scoffed.
"Don't I know it"Walker was treading on thin ice. Georgie had no problem with Walker when he first started working for them. In the last few weeks he been picking a fight with Rip more often then not for some reason. Georgie hadn't clue why Walker was determined to piss Rip off.
"What was that ''Georgie could sense that tension between Rip and Walker was coming an ugly conclusion sooner or later. Pretty soon going by the steam starting to come out of Rip's ears. "I didn't hear you"
Walker threw the post driver onto the ground as he squared off with Rip across the still not finished fence.
"Won't fight, Won't work. But you'll sure eat our food, sit in our fields and sing like a fucking tourist"
"It's your field now Rip"Walker removed his gloves.
"Hmm"
"These are set"Lloyd intervend before the trouble started.
"Jimmy get on the quad"Rip ordered
Jimmy walked over to where they'd left the quad.
"Ryan, it's grinding square it off"Rip walked away.
"Keep it tight boys. Bull will walk though loose wire, like it anit even there"The wranglers moved to start wrapping wire on the fence posts.
Rip was tightening the wire with wire strainers. Georgie looked over her shoulder. Walker stood beside one of the Side by sides.
"Hey the fuck you standing there for. Start wrapping wire"
"Hell I'm leaving tonight. You can spend my weeks wages out the bar for all I fucking care"Walker was still on Parole, and he was branded. Very few branded men were ever allowed to leave.
All these great ranches you've worked on Walker. Why not go back to one of them. Why don't you get in my truck"Rip only chuckled at Walker's answer.
"Because I can't leave the State. I'm still on Parole"
"There's plenty of ranches in Montana. But no, you're here because they won't have you. Why is that Walker? I'm going to start making phone calls. What am I going to find out about you huh Walker"Rip probed.
"Well I reckon it's because I got a fondness for the Farmer daughter. I guess we got that in common, you, me and Ryan"Walker smirked.
Rip snapped, breaking the wire that got Walker in the face. The two men wrestled for a while before Walker pulled a knife.
"Come on. I'm going take your fucking heart out through your throat Walker. Then I'm gonna shove that knife up your ass"Rip taunted.
"If this goes down we have to choose sides"Ryan looked at his best friend.
"I'm on whatever side your on"
"You won't die today Walker." Lloyd shoved his pistol into Walker's back "But you've taken your last steps. Let's see how much of a cowboy you are from a fucking wheelchair."
"Here you go"Rip handed Walker back his knife.
"I'm done with this place. You want to shoot me in the back, old fart. Go right ahead"Walker walked to his horse.
"Wherever you go Walker. I'll find you"Rip promised. Walker just sneered back at him spuring his horse into a gallop.
"The whole bunkhouse is watching"Lloyd whispered to Rip.
"Why do you think I did it Lloyd? Come on back to work still got two miles of fence line to get done today"
Bozeman Memorial Hospital, Bozeman Paradise Valley Montana
March 2019
I parked my truck in the hospital parking lot. It had been a slow day at the office, thankfully. I got a surprise visit from Governor Perry for some reason. Turns out the reason was they wanted me to replace Dad as the Livestock Commissioner.
They didn't think he was no longer up for the job as Commissioner. He has been Livestock Stock Commissioner for almost forty years. When Dad was ready to step down and retire then I would take over. That's what I told Governor Perry.
Maddie was staying in a house on the hospital grounds till the twins came out of hospital. Going by the time I was just in time for a midday feed for the girls.
Alex and Evie were doing well, putting on weight and feeding well. The doctors were confident they would be home in a few days, maybe another week.
I made my way up to the NICU floor. Connie was with Maddie and the girls when I came in.
"There's Daddy"Maddie handed me Evie, while Maddie had Alex.
"Hey babygirl"I placed a kiss against my finger and placed it to her forehead.
"How's John doing"
"He's home. Kayce came to pick him up this morning. Checked himself out of hospital against Doctors orders. The girls were given a mixture of being bottle fed and tube fed.
I fed Evie while Maddie was bottle feeding Alex. I never had a chance to do this with the boys when they were newborns. Both times the boys were born. I'd been deployed at the time.
I sat down in the recliner, Holly, one of Georgie's good friends from high school knocked on the door.
"Hi I didn't mean to disturb you. But you got visitors, your brother"Holly looked at me. It would be Kayce. He'd dropped in to see the twins when picking Dad up earlier in the day. That only left Jamie, as Lee had been dead for a year now.
"Sure, show him in"Evie complained when I removed the bottle.
"We're not intruding are we"Jamie came in with Christina not far behind him.
"Not just the midday feed is all"Evie finished her bottle. I placed her gently against my shoulder burping her after her feed.
"Jamie, did you want to hold one of your nieces?"I offered to get up with Evie in my arms.
"Thank you"Jamie awkwardly held Evie at first till I corrected his hold.
"She looks like Mom"
"They both got a bit of mom in them, there's a fair bit of Dutton and Maddie's side in them"Evie looked at Jamie with curious eyes.
"What did you name them"
"Alexandrea Ivy and Evelyn Amelia Dutton"I answered.
"Alexandrea after Great Grandma Dutton and Evelyn for mom where did the Ivy come from as Amelia"
"Ivy is Maddie's grandmother's name, Amelia is Grandma Dutton's mom's name." I explained.
"I heard about Dad. Stomach Ulcer burst"
"If he'd gone back to the doctor when he was supposed to he would have been fine you know what Dad's like ''I took Evie back from Jamie.
Jamie and Christina stayed for twenty more minutes before leaving. I stayed with Connie, Maddie and girls for another twenty after that before heading back to the office.
Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, Bozeman Paradise Valley Montana
March 2019
I managed another few hours at the office before calling it a day and heading back to the ranch. I parked my truck beside the ranch truck and Kayce's beat up old Ford.
Dad and Kayce were in the study talking.
"Let's get this bunkhouse figured out first"I overheard.
"What's going on in the bunkhouse?"I asked, coming into the study.
"Just somethings with Rip and Walker that need sorting out"Dad answered me before turning to Kayce. "You haven't mentioned her once, Kayce. Not once in the year you've been back here. Her or Tate. Why your not with your family"
"What's talking about it going to change,"Kayce questioned.
"It will help your form a plan to help get them back"
"A plan isn't going to change how somebody feels."Kayce answered
"When Lee ran this place"Dad grimaced in pain sitting on the desk. "He was honest and fair. That's what I need from both you and Georgie to run this place. But you can't be that way with others son till you're that way with yourself."
"I miss em"
"What happened son?"Dad asked.
"You happened Dad. Then everything happened. Lee getting killed, all the rest of it"Kayce walked away.
"Kayce. You and Colton send Rip to house"Dad walked out of the study.
"So what's going on with Rip and Walker?"I asked as we walked down to the bunkhouse. Georgie and the other wranglers were back from finshing up the new fence line being built in Pasture Eight.
"Don't know. Rip tried killing him for some reason"
"Probably to do with Beth. She and Walker had something going on for a short while, and well Rip's been hung up on Beth for years"I explained to Kayce,
"He in there"Rip asked Cowboy.
"He who"Cowboy played dumb.
Rip barged into the bunkhouse.
"Hey Rip"Kayce called to Rip. It went through one ear and out the other. He picked up a saddle tossing it at Walker who was laying in his bunk. Pulling a knife to protect himself.
It took both Kayce and I to pull Rip away from murdering Walker in the bunkhouse. "Hey Rip our father wants to see you"
"Hey right now"I physically had to force Rip towards the door of the bunkhouse. The wranglers stood around the watching what was going on.
Kayce followed us up to the house.
Time we got to the Lodge, Rip had calmed down. Rip and Kayce went inside. I went over to Maddie and I's place. Connie would be back soon with the boys. It was probably a good idea to eat here tonight.
Bunkhouse.
Georgie stayed in the bunkhouse helping to clear up after Rip had destroyed the place in a homicide fueled rage to kill Walker just a few hours earlier. Georgie rustled up some food for the wranglers as Gator was off visiting his sick Aunt in Colorado.
Georgie sat in Ryan's lap as they watched the football match on the TV. Kayce had packed his bags and left the bunkhouse half an hour ago.
"That wasn't a penalty"Ryan whined yelling at the referrer.
"It's a penalty cause he sucks"
"You still want that bet"Ryan called out his best friend.
"3 to 1. I still take that bet"
"Why do they both have the same fucking mascot."Jimmy wondered aloud.
"Jimmy, you lived here your whole life. And don't know the fucking difference.
"Would all fucking shut up so I can watch the game in fuck piece"Lloyd yelled at them.
"So those are Wildcats, those are Bobcats"Ryan pointed out the two different teams.
"So what's the fucking difference."
"The difference is' ' Colby trailed off.
"The difference is Colby doesn't know what the fuck is the difference between the two. I do thanks to several years of vet school. Couldn't be fucking bothered to explain in the length the difference between Bobcats, Cougars or whatever cats there are"
"A Bobcats is a specific breed, while a wildcat is a cat that went wild that's a run"
"So they named their entire team after a cat that just got out of the house one day,"Jimmy questioned.
"For the last time. Would you all shut the fuck up. I'm trying to watch the fucking game."Lloyd swore as the door opened Rip walked in.
"Jimmy quit staring"Georige mouthed to the youngest Wrangler who was staring at Rip, who dropped his bags by the table grabbing a beer.
"Bobcats look good,"Rip said to Lloyd, who joined him at the table. Rip glared at Walker and Cowboy sitting in the other room of the bunkhouse.
"Okay just to clarify Colby's mom is a cougar"Jimmy was asking for trouble bringing Colby's mom up.
"That will be the last time you ever referee to my mom as a cougar"Colby hissed at Jimmy.
"She preferers Wildcat. Rawr, Rawr''The other wranglers laughed. Colby threw peanut shells at Jimmy.
When the game wrapped up. Georgie kissed Ryan goodnight, ruffled Jimmy's hair. Saying her goodnights to the others before heading back up to the lodge heading to bed. It was an early start the next morning. They were pushing cattle.
Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, Bozeman Paradise Valley Montana
March 2019
The next morning we stood around waiting. The horses were all saddled, yet we were waiting on Kayce. Dad had made Kayce the one in charge now not Rip. Now Kayce was in charge of running the ranch.
What Dad was playing at I had no clue. Pitting Rip and Kayce against one another was not going to get them to work together.
"Should we mount up?"Jimmy asked. It was getting close to seven. We should have left a good hour ago.
"It anit up to me Jimmy ''Rip answered.
"What's going on?"Colby asked.
"No clue"Ryan answered his best friend sitting on the railing with Georgie beside him.
Dad and Kayce talked for a few minutes. I loved how Kayce had been prompted to run the ranch ahead of me. We should all be working together Kayce, Georgie, Rip and I. Not pitting us against each other.
Yes Kayce had to learn to run the ranch. But the fucking mind games weren't going to help. I tightened Hoss's girth.
"We'll push them up the valley, then over the saddle to East River Road. We'll take that up the canyon. Ryan, Colby and Georgie got point, Walker, Cowboy you got swing, Avery, Jimmy you got flank, Rip, Lloyd you got drag. Colton you joining us today"
"Apparently so big brother. Where do you need me to ride"I answer.
"Jimmy and Avery could do with a hand riding flank."
"Hope you boys got your wild rags. It's going to be a bit dusty"Walker smartly remarked, smirking at Rip.
"What the hells going on?"Lloyd asked Rip.
"Oh just a little reminder Lloyd. They may let us stay here till we're old and rusted. But we're just tools, that's all we'll ever be"Rip replied.
Pushing the herd was going well. Everyone was working in sync. That was till the cattle decided to run.
"God Dammit Jimmy, hold your spot or the whole herd will go"Rip yelled at Jimmy.
"It's too big a gap"Jimmy argued back.
Walker and I moved to help Jimmy bring the cattle back into the herd. Some headed for the trees to our left. Walker took off after them. Rip spoke to Lloyd for a minute before going after Walker.
"Ginger let's go girl"I whistled, setting off after Walker.
"Georgie take over for me"Kayce I called to Georgie to take over his spot. On the herd.
"Where the fuck are Walker and Rip."Kayce and I came across the missing cattle.
"Don't know we better catch up with fast before Rip tries to kill Walker."I noticed hoof prints heading straight ahead of us.
"Ginger take the cattle back girl"I ordered. Ginger rounded up the cattle, taking them back to herd on her own.
We followed the horse tracks through the woods.
"You dead yet"I heard Rip say to Walker who was laying on the ground. His gelding had wandered off into the trees "You're about to be."
"What the fuck are you doing Rip"I asked as Kayce and I blocked Rip's path.
"The fuck is wrong with you Wheeler"
"You needed an excuse now you got one"Rip ignored me pointing a finger at Kayce.
Kayce moved to get off his horse.
"No, no. Not here now we do it infront of everyone Kayce. And I anit going to take it easy on you Kayce."
"You want to fight Kayce Rip you fight me too"I say tired of Rip's bullshit with Walker.
"So be it"Rip rode off. I dismounted Hoss.
"You alright Walker"I helped Walker to his feet.
"Funny how you can do something you love, your whole life. And it takes one man ruin the whole fucking thing"Kayce said nothing as he rode back to the herd.
I rode back with Walker. Taking up my spot on the flank of the herd. We pushed the herd up to the canyon. No one said a word on the ride back.
Getting back to the arena. Kayce dismounted, I got off Hoss handing the reins to Jake. Rip did the same, handing the reins to Lloyd.
Georgie sat on her horse watching her brothers and Rip fight in the arena. What the fuck was going on.
"You want us to get in there?''Ryan asked, turning to Daddy who was leaning on the arena fence watching.
"No, this needs to happen."What was Daddy playing at? Pitting Rip, Kayce and Colton against one another. If this was about making Kayce take on more responsibilities running the ranch. It was a bad way to go about it. Wouldn't it be better if they work together not against each other.
It was a bloody violent fight between the three of them. Colton laid Rip out with one last punch. He'd come off slightly better then Rip and Kayce had.
"There's no fight on this ranch. You want to fight you come fight one of us"Kayce pointed to me and himself.
He and the other wranglers walked away to go cool their horses off. I stayed behind helping Rip to his feet.
"Shit Colton you sure know how to throw a punch"Rip winched as I helped to his feet.
"You taught me to fight remember"
"We made him earn it thank you"Dad said to Rip as he apparoched."Now I need the three of you to get along. He needs to be able to depend on you, Rip. I know there's no problem with you and Colton working together. I need you to work with Kayce"I left them alone to talk.
Ryan was joining us for Dinner. He, Georgie and I had plans. I was taking Maddie out for dinner to Boar and Spice. Georgie and he were joining us as a double date. It would give Maddie a break from the hospital. I didn't have a chance to go to the hospital today.
I'd pop in to see them tonight. Connie was minding the boys.
We were all seated and eating when Beth walked in. "Sorry I'm late"She took a seat across from Kayce.
"Hey"
"Rough day at the office"Beth had noticed the bruises on both Kayce's and I's faces.
"It was hard but good typical work day"
"Bouth the same. Lot better than sitting behind the desk I've been the last few weeks"I answered, cutting my steak up.
"What happened"
"Let's not talk about work at the dinner table"Dad cut in
"Connie, you mind taking the boys back to our place."I didn't want the boys around when things went off between Beth and Dad.
"Sure come on boys. We'll go watch a movie"Connie took the boys back to Maddie and my house.
"You meet with the Governor yet"Beth waited till the boys were out of ear shot before speaking.
"What did I just say"
"What would you like to talk about Daddy? What should we share? They've been up since 4 AM working. You go to bed at night thinking about working, you wake up thinking about work. If we don't talk about work. Then we have nothing to talk about.
Are you suggesting we sit here and eat in silence? Is that what you want?"Dad held up his hand.
"Are you shushing me Daddy."Beth scoffeed "I am a thirty five year old woman. When I sit at a table, I will talk about wherever the fuck I want"Beth got up throwing her napkin to Kayce before storming off.
"I see nothing's changed,"Kayce commented.
"I don't think she's ever made it through a meal once since she was eleven"
"That's normal"Ryan asked looking at Georige.
"Oh yeah evey meal since she was eleven Ryan"Dad said as Kayce started sniggering about something.
"What are you laughing about Kayce?"I asked.
"Oh nothing, Dad's got physical therapy tommorrow."
"I know,"Dad sighed.
"You anit missing it either"
"I won't,"Dad muttered under his breath.
"Governor Perry came to see me yesterday. I was going to mention it yesterday but I forgot"
"What did she want?"Dad asked.
"See if I was interested in replacing you as Livestock Comminissor. I told her no. I'll take over when you're ready to retire. Not before then"I
Boar and Spice Bozeman Paradise Valley Montana
March 2019
The bar was packed as we walked in. We found a table for the four of us. We'd been luckily to find a table the place was that busy.
"What can I get you folks"A waitress asked us.
"Three beers and a non alcoholic drink"I ordered.
"Sure thing. Here's your menus"The waitress left to go get out our drinks.
The band finished playing the song they where playing. There was pause. "This is for my mama."Ryan turned around at the sound of the woman on the stage.
She and the band started to play 'A mother like mine' by The Band Perry.
"It can't be"Ryan uttered his eyes glued to the stage.
"Baby what is it"Georgie asked concerned.
"That's my sister up there. Sam. I anit seen here since I left home when I was seventeen. She was seven when I left twelve years ago."
The song finished Ryan's sister Sam came off the stage making her way to the bar. "Hey Sam you mind serving that table there I got my break"
Sam Montgomery nodded grabbing the tray as Ashley went on her break. She had three beers and a non alcoholic drink.
"Here you go have you decided what y'all having"Sam almost dropped the tray seeing her big brother Ryan for the first time in twelve years.
"Sammy"Ryan stood up.
"No one's call me that in along time. Ryan"Sam was standoffish with Ryan.
"What you doing in Bozeman"
"College. I going to University in Bozeman. What are you doing here"Sam took a step back as Ryan walked a little closer to her.
"Working on a ranch near here. How's mama and the old man"Ryan asked.
"Mama died cancer. Three years ago. Daddy ran off when we got the diagnosis. I lived with the Harrisons next door till I graduated last year. I thought you where dead Ryan. You left not one word from you in twelve years. I tried to find you after Mama got sick. I called left messages you never called me back."
"If I'd know mama was sick. I would have come home Sam."Ryan tried to say.
"But you didn't. I had look after and nurse mama till she died. Bury her myself. The times I needed my big brother you where never there"Sam shook her head leaving our table "Jay I'm heading out"
Other then the run in with Ryan's sister the night wasn't a completely bad. We'd taken the ranch truck to save on taking two trucks.
"Ya'll work the for the Yellowstone"A cowboy and cowgirl from Arkansaw by the sound it approached.
"Owned and run it you looking for work"I asked
"Yes sir been looking for work since we come to Montana"
"We might be hiring come by the ranch tomorrow we can talk more then. What's names real quick I asked.
"I'm Connor this here's Teeter my half sister."Connor extended his hand
"Connor Teeter I'll see tomorrow then"I shook their hands.
Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, Bozeman Paradise Valley Montana
March 2019
Kayce took Dad into Bozeman for his physical therapy. Connie had taken the boys to school, and was going to check on Maddie at the hospital. I'd told Dad and Kayce in passing that I had a couple of possible new wranglers coming by later.
I had Jimmy and Colby put some roping calves up the chute.
"So are we practice roping today"Jimmy asked.
"No got a couple possible new hands coming today"I answered.
"You run this by Kayce and your Dad"Rip asked.
"They know."I answer as a truck pulled up. I presumed this to be Connor and Teeter.
"Mr Dutton"I shook Connor and Teeter's hands.
"Colton these the two hands"Rip and Lloyd joined us.
"I'm Connor Richards"
"Teeter Richards"
"Your name Peter"Lloyd had misheard.
"Do I look my name is fucking Peter you skunk haired mother fucker."
"She just called me a mother fucker"Lloyd and Rip shared amused smile.
"You know how to cowboy"
"I've been balling and dragging since I could bounce piss off a rug"Teeter drawled while chewing chewing tobacco.
"Got some claves in the chute if you want to shows what you got"
"Sure thing just let us saddle up"Connor nodded.
"Hey Ryan anit that the girl from the Sliver Dollar the saved our ass that night. She and that guy Connor"Jimmy said to Ryan.
"That's her, the one that looked like she want to mount Colby"Ryan looked amused at Colby.
"Wait which ones on top"
"Both you drop fucking dead right now"Colby groaned at his friends childishness.
"Oh I don't think there's any debate about that"Georgie slapped Ryan in the chest for that comment.
"Leave Colby alone you two"
Jake opened the chutes setting the Calf loose. Teeter roped the calf around the horns. Connor mistimed his throw.
"Hey fucker you blind. No go get my rope. You mother fucker"
"That Spainsh."Lloyd asked Rip.
"Arkansaw"I clarified.
"Tell you one thing she's hand."
"Ride the hair of a horse that's for damn sure"Lloyd commented.
"So what do you reckon hire em"I asked Rip. He was still foremen even if he was living in the bunkhouse. Well not for much longer. I'd talked it over with Dad this morning about giving Rip the old cabin over the hill.
"They're perfect hire em. The bunkhouse is going to be pretty full now"
"Actually they'll be a few bunks free"I handed Rip a set of house keys.
"What's this"
"The old Cabin over the hill. The original cabin before we built the lodge. It's yours if you want it"I explained.
"Colton I don't know what to say"Rip was at a loss for words.
"You don't have to say anything Rip. We may not be related by blood but your still my brother. I don't leave my family out in the cold so the Cabin's yours if you want it"
"Thank you"Rip and I shared a brief brotherly hug "What are you lot all staring at back to work"Rip was back in foremen mode.