Rip got up for work early the next, he stuck his head in to Lucy's room to see that she was still sleeping before kissing Beth goodbye.

Beth slept for a few more hours before getting up. She stuck her head in, the same as Rip had done, on her way downstairs to find Lucy still asleep.

She made herself a coffee and lit a cigarette out on the porch before opening her laptop to get some work done, she was hoping to not have to go in to the office so she could get to know Lucy better.

Lucy woke with a fright feeling disoriented before the last few days came rushing back. 'What do I do', she thought worrying about school, her job and apartment. She slipped on her sneakers and pulled a jumper over her head before going in to the kitchen to find no one. She noticed the door was ajar and someone was typing on a computer.

"Morning." Beth greeted her, noticing her hair sticking up in multiple directions that she was trying to smooth down.

"Hi.. morning." She said sitting on the porch step fidgeting with her hands.

"What's on your mind?" Beth asked.

"Oh. Nothing." Lucy quickly answered.

"Not true. Rip fidgets when he's worried or nervous too."

Lucy looked at her hands and stopped. "I was wondering what's going to happen to me now? You know school, I have a job, albeit a shit one, a home."

Beth shut her laptop and sat on the step next to her. "You'll still go to school. I'll take you on my way to work. That job and home, you can forget. I'd prefer you never went back. If that's what you want, you leave that to me to deal with." Beth told her.

Lucy bit her lip trying to hide her emotions. "I'd like that."

"Good. Stop biting your lip." Beth told her gently.

Lucy laughed. "Everyone says Beth Dutton is ruthless and to be scared and most of all to not show your true feelings to her."

Her words hurt Beth having them come out of her mouth and Lucy could tell the second they left. "But I don't think that's true!" She quickly followed up with.

"It would be a lie if I thought they weren't right. But they're all the things I never want you to see and believe. I want you to tell me when you're angry, scared or upset. I will never be angry at you showing your emotions to me or Rip, ok?"

"Ok." She said wiping away a stray tear. "Because I think I'll like it if I can learn to ride a horse."

Beth rolled her eyes but smiled. "You'll have to ask Rip again."

"Do you think I can eat now? I might fade away." She said seriously to Beth.

Beth raised an eyebrow, forgetting how dramatic teenagers were. "I'm not a good cook. But I can make toast."

Lucy nodded. "I like toast."

Beth passed a two slices of toast over and a glass of orange juice before her phone rang.

"Hello." She answered.

Lucy couldn't hear who was on the other end of the line other than Beth getting more and more frustrated as the call went on.

"Just deal with it. What do you mean you can't Bob?"

Lucy turned to see Beth had her back to her.

"Fine. I'll be there in a few hours." Beth finished and hung up the phone.

"Everything ok?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah. I've got to go in to work." Beth said, then realising there was now another smaller person to consider. "You'll have to come with me."

"Can't I stay?" Lucy tried, she wasn't sure Beth would let her but it was worth a shot.

Beth went to argue with her about talking back but realised this was probably not the time. She also was sure that Lucy didn't mean it in a way of defiance but asked the question like every other teenager wanting to be left without supervision.

"Not this time." Beth told her.

"But why?" Lucy said confidently before shrinking back when she saw Beth's look. "Sorry. I'll come."

Beth took a breath. "Luce, you can ask the question. It's dangerous to be here by yourself and I don't want anything to happen so you'll have to come."

She finished her mouthful before putting her plate in the sink, telling Beth she was ready.

"Brush your teeth. You'll stink otherwise." Beth told her.

"I don't have a tooth brush." She said quietly.

Beth got up and got a new one for her before pointing to the bathroom.

"Is there anything at your apartment you need?" Beth asked in the car.

"Nah. I got everything I own in that backpack." Lucy told her looking out the window.

Beth knew that she hadn't packed much given the weight of the bag.

"I know you didn't want to come but we could get you some new stuff after I finish work if you want?" Beth suggested.

"I don't have any money left from my last pay cheque."

"Honey, Rip and I have the money." Beth told her parking the car and getting out. Lucy followed behind looking up at the building.

"Come on. Stay with me Lucy." Beth called out to her. She easily caught up staying half a step behind Beth.

She couldn't help but think how fancy it was with its glass window meeting rooms, plush carpet and long tables.

"Beth." An older man greeted her.

"Bob."

"Who is this? New intern?" He said looking at Lucy.

"No."

"Well why is she here? Are you lost?" He said now speaking directly to her in a patronising tone.

"No. Are you?" She smartly replied. Lucy quickly realised that he didn't like a taste of his own medicine.

"You don't have to be such a brat. I'll call security."

"Bob. Leave her alone." Beth said in a warning tone before turning to Lucy. "We are going to be an hour. Did you bring your book?"

Lucy held up the book in her hand as they entered the meeting room before everyone arrived.

"Is that your daughter?" Bob asked shocked.

"Obviously I am." Lucy said before Beth had a chance to say anything.

Lucy read her book quietly whilst Beth argued about something Lucy didn't understand with people in suits. Beth would occasionally look up to check in on Lucy before re-entering the conversation.

This went on for a while before Beth announced, "We're done here." Standing up from the table. "Baby, let's go." She said walking around the table. Lucy looked up figuring Beth was talking to her, closing her book. Lucy noticed the rest of the people in the meeting were looking at Beth like she had grown another head.

"They're looking at you funny." Lucy said once the door had closed.

"Let them look. It's because I called you 'baby'. Bunch of arseholes anyway."

They continued walking before Beth suddenly stopped turning to look at Lucy. "I won't call you that if you don't want me to."

"Call me what?" Lucy asked now confused.

"Baby."

Lucy thought about whether she minded it. She didn't want Beth to think of her as a immature kid but she liked the term of endearment coming from her. She wrung her hands together not sure what to say.

"Don't think, just say it. You won't hurt my feelings." Beth told her grabbing her hands.

"I don't want anyone else to call me that, because I'm not. I'm not a immature kid. You don't think that do you?" Lucy felt herself getting stressed out by what Beth thought of her and knew Beth could see it.

"Come here." Beth said leading her to the nearest park bench. "You're not immature, but you will always be my baby from the moment you were born until the moment I die. Got it." She finished waiting for Lucy to nod.

"You're pretty soft really. Not like anyone says at all." Lucy said with a cheeky smile.

"You better keep that to yourself then." Beth said with a wink before pulling her up towards the shops. "You can get a pair of boots. You'll need a new jacket and jeans too." She said entering the shop.

Lucy tried on different pairs of boots before settling on a brown pair. Beth grabbed her a few different pairs of jeans and two jackets while Lucy looked at all the hats. Beth approached her with her arms full. "Do you want one?"

"No it's ok. That's too much stuff already."

Beth waved her off. "Rip won't let you ride without one. Do you like this one?" Beth asked her holding a brown hat she had been looking at.

"Honestly it's fine."

Beth put it on Lucy's head before nodding and adding it to the pile. "Time to go." She said before paying the bill.

"Beth?" Lucy asked out the front of the store. "Do you think I can have a look over there?" She said pointing to the bookstore.

Beth felt like it was a win that Lucy had asked for something that she wanted. "Go on." She said giving her a nudge, following behind.

The bell above the door chimed when they entered. Both Beth and Lucy smelt the safe smell of books. Beth watched Lucy's shoulders relax and she felt herself smile.

Lucy ran her fingers over the spines of the books occasionally pulling some out and reading the blurb, spending longer on some than others. Beth sat in the chair watching before Lucy came over to tell her she was done looking.

"Anything you liked?"

"Oh yeah there are some good ones."

"Why don't you pick two then?" Beth suggested.

"I can't. You already paid for all that." She said gesturing to the bags.

"Luce. I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to pay. Now go." Lucy quickly turned on her heel not wanting Beth to change her mind.

"Ok, I'm done now."

"Go and put them on the counter." Beth told her getting up to pay.

The kind older gentleman put the books in a paper bag before sealing it with a piece of tape. He gave it to Katie telling her they were excellent choices as she smiled shyly, thanking him.

Lucy turned to Beth spontaneously wrapping her arms around her.

"Oomph!" Beth let out.

"Sorry. But thank you." Lucy said stiffening but not letting go.

"You're welcome Luce." Beth said wrapping her arm around her smaller frame. Beth felt Lucy relax against her before trying to pull away. She noticed some tears that Lucy quickly wiped away.

"What's wrong?" Beth asked.

"Nothing. Can we go now?" Lucy said. Beth nodded before they got back in the car.

It was a quiet drive home before Beth decided to broach the subject.

"Do you want to tell me what upset you?"

"Not really." Lucy said. Beth waited to see if she would elaborate. "My foster families never hugged me before."

Beth kept on hand on the wheel and her eyes on the road, reaching out a hand to cradle Lucy's hair.

Rip's truck was in the driveway when they got back to the cabin and he was on the porch as they pulled up. He kissed Beth as she got out of the car, offering Lucy a wave as he grabbed the bags.

Rip put the bags in Lucy's room before talking to Beth about her day. Out of the corner of their eyes they watched Lucy carefully unwrap the books in Beth's chair by the window before opening one.

Lucy looked at the words on the page but couldn't help but think how her life had been turned upside down. She looked at Beth and Rip, thinking they seemed better than any of her previous foster families.

"Beth. I forgot my bike." Lucy said building up the courage.

"Where is it?"

"Around the back of my apartment. So it was less likely to be stolen."

"You probably won't be able to ride it much here, Lucy." Rip said. "Don't really have the ground for it."

"I figured." She said looking down.

Beth nudged him before he opened his mouth again. "I can take you to get it now if you want?" He looked at his watch figuring he could finish an hour earlier.

"Really? You would do that?" She asked surprised.

"Come on. Get in the truck." He said grabbing his keys.

Lucy followed stopping at the door. "You're not coming?" She asked Beth.

"You two go. I've got stuff to do here."

The car ride was a bit more awkward for both. "So what do you like to do?" Rip asked trying to get to know her.

"I like music and reading but most of all I like being outside." She told him noticing a smile at the end.

"What do you like to do outside?"

"I like running and riding my bike, swimming and going for walks."

Rip nodded before the silence returned.

"Why did Jamie do what he did to me?" She asked innocently before seeing Rip's hands tighten on the steering wheel.

"I will always be honest with you ok." He started. "But this is someone neither of us have ever worked out other than Beth and Jamie have never gotten along and it got worse when she became pregnant with you and he retaliated."

"But would they have really killed you?"

"Probably." Rip told her.

"I hate them. I hate them!" She said the second time louder.

"Hey, I know. I should have done more." Rip told her. "That's my biggest mistake."

Lucy continued to look out the window feeling nothing but anger towards Jamie, until Rip parked the car following her directions. "So where is this bike?"

"Ah you can stay here. I'll go get it."

"I can help-"

"No." She cut him off.

Rip held up his hands sensing there was maybe more to it. He looked around while Lucy went to get her bike. He agreed with Beth the place was a shithole. He could hear a chain rattling before Lucy yelling at someone to back off.

He quickly got out of the truck leaving the door open running in the direction of where Lucy went. He saw her and a boy a few years older pushing and shoving and what must of been her bike thrown to the side with a big dent in the frame.

"Get off her." Rip yelled before pulling him away from her.

"Piss off." He shouted at Rip.

That angered Rip more while Lucy went to look at her now damaged bike.

"You listen here you little shit. You stay away from my family you hear me. Now fuck off." Rip said giving him one last shove.

"She doesn't have a family." He said with a smirk.

"Yes I do!" Lucy said raising her voice. "My Dad is better than what yours could ever be."

"You leave my Dad out of it!" The boy said lunging for Lucy, she quickly ducked as Rip grabbed the boy holding him back.

The boy struggled against Rip before giving up. "Get out of here boy!" He said before letting him go. The boy now breathing heavily turned and walked away throwing Lucy a dirty look, stomping on her bike.

"You all right Lu?" Rip asked.

"My bike." She said softly looking at it.

"I'll get you a new one." He told her

"Why did he do that?" She asked now looking at him.

"I don't know Lu. Who is he?"

"He's my landlords son. They're both so mean."

They both got back in to the car, driving to the bike shop in town.

"Come on. Let's get you a new one."

Lucy walked up and down the aisles of bikes looking at them all, Rip doing the same.

"What about this one?" He said about a mountain bike. "I reckon you'll be able to take that around home and in the park."

"Really?"

"Says here mountain bike so I think it would be fine."

Rip waved his hand at the guy working in the shop telling me he'd take two, one for Lucy and himself. The guy nodded before going to get them from the back.

"Just in the back of the Yellowstone truck, thanks." He told him.

"You getting one too?" Lucy was surprised.

"Thought you might want to ride with someone?"

"Yeah... I'd like that." She said smiling at him. Rip smiled back, paying.

The pair pulled back in to the cabin as the sun was setting. He unpacked the bikes putting them on the porch while Lucy went inside.

"Beth! Rip bought me a bike!"

Beth looked up from what she was doing surprised. "What happened to yours?"

"Some jerk broke it."

"Who was it? Did Rip see them?"

"Yeah. He shoved him around but I did tell him where to stick it. He said I didn't have a family but I told him my Dad was better than his." She said drugging her shoulders. "I wasn't lying."

Beth smiled knowing Lucy hadn't realised she had considered Rip her Dad. "No you weren't."

"Can we ride tomorrow Rip?" Lucy asked as he hung up his hat.

"Horses or bikes?"

"Both?" She tried her luck.

"If you think you can both ride a horse and ride a bike tomorrow, you're going to school." Beth interjected.

Lucy groaned. "Fine."

"I'll drop you there in the morning." Beth said ending the conversation. Lucy looked at Rip hopeful but he shook his head.

"After school then Lu."

"Yeah. Ok."

Lucy ate more of her dinner that night which made Beth feel better. "I like, whatever this is."

"It's hamburger helper, with real hamburger."

"It's good darling." Rip commented finishing his plate. Beth more content with watching.
The adults cleared the table and did the dishes, telling Lucy to have a shower.

Beth noticed when Lucy sat down on the couch that she was in the same clothes.

"Hey Luce, come upstairs with me." Beth said not wanting to embarrass her. Lucy trudged up behind Beth in to hers and Rip's bedroom. Lucy looked around at the wooden furniture and cosy quilt cover. Beth pulled out an old pair of pyjama pants and college shirt of hers.

"Go put these on." She put the clothes in Lucy's hands.

"How did you know?"

"It's my job to." Beth told her going down stairs while Lucy changed.

"What were you doing?" Rip asked.

"I'll tell you later." She told him before curling up on the couch in her preferred spot.

Lucy came down the stairs with the blanket from when she was a baby and her book. She sat at the other end of the couch wrapping the blanket around herself. Rip the only one paying attention to the rodeo on the TV.
Beth could feel Lucy looking over at her occasionally to see what she was doing. Beth uncurled herself from her position on the couch tapping her leg like the night before. Tonight Lucy was quicker to stretch out and rest her head on Beth's lap.

"Do you want to read it again?" Beth said flicking back a page.

"You read it."

"To be tough is to be fragile. To be tender is to be truly fierce.." Beth started as Lucy sighed. Rip turned down the TV to listen as she read.

Beth finished the chapter before closing the book. "Time for bed. You'll be up early for school."

Lucy lifted her head and nodded, moving to go up the stairs. She stopped halfway up turning to look at them both. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight baby." Beth said as Rip said "Goodnight Lu."

Lucy smiled, feeling warm on the inside as she crawled under the covers.