The next morning John wasn't at breakfast.
"Mama, no John?" Beth would never get sick of hearing 'Mama' come out of her mouth.
"Not today." Gator had filled Beth in that Jimmy had a pretty bad injury at the Rodeo last night and was in hospital.
"I have to go to work this morning in town and no one here can watch you so you'll have to come. I think Daddy has a surprise for you later this afternoon."
"What is it?"
"If I tell you, it won't be a surprise."
Beth worked in the office for a few hours before she decided to take Katie to get some new clothes. Beth helped her pick out some jeans, shorts, tops and new coat. On the drive home CPS called Beth.
"Hi Beth, this is Carol from CPS calling about Katie."
"Hi Carol, how are you?"
"Yeah good thanks. I was wanting to know if things were going well. If so, considering where you live it would be easier for us to do this on the phone. Are you wanting to adopt?" Beth was sure that this was no the normal procedure.
"We would like to, if you could send me the paperwork I will go through it and get back to you."
"Certainly I can organise that. Have a good day." The lady hung up. Beth was going to have to go through the paperwork herself when she got it to look for any loopholes.
Rip met them both at the cabin, ready to take Katie on her surprise. The afternoon sun was warm but not too hot, Rip had planned to take Katie on a horse ride to the river so she could play in the water and Beth would meet them there.
"Is she ready, honey?" Rip kissed Beth on the neck.
"She's in her room, I told her to go get her hat."
"I can hear her coming now. Don't forget her swimmers" Katie came down the stairs jumping off the last one. Beth rolled her eyes at Rip but thought it was cute how much effort he was putting in to their afternoon.
"Mama coming?"
"Not just yet, you and Daddy go and I'll see you later." Rip helped her put her boots on and took her out to see the horse waiting for them. Beth watched from the door way as Rip lifted her up on the horse and then sat in the saddle behind her pointing out where they were going to go. Katie waved as they rode off towards the river.
"This is fun." Rip was glad she was liking it, her first experience couldn't have gone worse. Deep down he did want a kid that he could raise to like riding the same as he did.
"Nearly there. You have to wait for me to get off the horse first ok." Katie nodded in front of him before leaning back to rest against him.
He could see Beth leaning against his truck waiting for them.
"Who is that over there Katie." Rip pointed out Beth to her.
"Mama." Beth waved as she watched them approach slowly, Katie had a big smile and so did Rip.
"Remember what I said." Rip got off the horse first before lifting Katie down. "Go to Mama." Katie completely adored everything Beth did. Rip was certain she could do no wrong and he knew Katie had him wrapped around her little fingers already.
Beth helped Katie change in to swimmers before they went to the edge of the river together. Rip had suggested a calmer section that he thought would be good for Katie to play in.
She squealed as the water lapped at her toes "It's cold!"
Rip had got Lloyd to pick him up a floatie ring for Katie when he went through town earlier, no questions asked. It had all sorts of animals on it that Katie would like. Rip got in the water not before admiring Beth in her swimmers.
"Kick to me Katie." Beth helped hold Katie afloat until she reached Rip who had the floatie ring. "Now you can float by yourself."
Beth and Katie floated next to each other whilst Rip swam around for a while. He swam underneath where Beth was floating and grabbed her waist causing her to scream.
"Jesus Christ Rip!" Rip laughed and Katie thought it was hilarious as she splashed around.
"Sorry honey, couldn't help myself." Beth glared at him before her look softened.
"I should tell you CPS called me." Rip nodded. "They asked if we wanted to adopt Katie."
"What did you tell them Beth."
"I said we would like to. They're wanting to send paperwork and that would be it."
"Don't they want to check the cabin?"
"Seems like they don't really care. Do you want to adopt her?"
"Beth. She calls you Mama and me her Daddy. She's got no one else. We can't leave her. Hell, I never thought I'd like having a kid, but I can't let her go anywhere else."
"Me either." Beth kissed him deeply.
"That reminds me Beth. Your dad said he wanted to have family dinner with us at the Lodge. Felt bad for missing breakfast with the kid he said. I think Kayce and Monica will be there too."
"We should probably go then." Beth called Katie over to her to get her out of the water. Beth. Had packed some warmer clothes to put on her.
"I'm going to drive her up to the Lodge with me Rip."
"I want to ride!" It wasn't very often that Katie pushed back against what she had been told.
"Go with Mama Katie, it's a long ride back."
"No, please. I don't wanna." Tears were threatening to fall and Katie's face was flushed red.
"I think you're a bit tired. I've told you what is going to happen and that's final." Katie ran to where Rip was packing everything up, trying to persuade him to take her.
"No Katie. Listen to Beth." She stomped her foot in frustration surprising Beth with her temper tantrum that was no doubt about to ensue. She decided to let Rip handle it. He got down to Katie's level and could hear him talking to her as she wiped tears away from her face. Rip stood up and pointed towards Beth, Katie sulked back over to her where she was waiting beside the car.
"Can't always have your way kid. Let's go, we'll see Daddy at dinner." She was pretty quiet the ride back to the Lodge, she thought about bringing up her behaviour to discipline her but decided against it thinking it was best left to Rip this time. He wasn't far behind them, Beth preferred to take it slow when Katie was in the car, precious cargo is what she told herself.
Kayce's truck was parked nearby and Beth could see the lights in the dining room were on. Rip opened the backseat door to let Katie out after tying up the horse. Katie burst in to tears reaching for him.
"Woah kid, settle down."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry Daddy."
"Honey it's ok, it's all forgiven. Settle down." By this point Katie was sobbing in his arms about her tantrum earlier.
"Beth, you go inside, we will meet you there." Beth kissed his lips and Katie on the temple before watching Rip walk back and forth rubbing her back.
"Where is Katie."
"She needed a minute, she's with Rip."
"Everything ok?"
"Yes Daddy, she's just an overtired cranky three year old." John laughed knowingly, he wondered if she was going to turn out to have a temper like Beth.
"Dinner will be ready shortly."
"Hey Kayce, Monica, Tate." All three offered their hellos. Tate more preoccupied with the lego in front of him.
"How's Mama bear life?" Monica asked smiling at Beth. It suited Beth surprising them all how natural she was with Katie.
"Well she's currently having a meltdown because she was not allowed to ride a horse here from the river."
"She's a Dutton that's for sure." Kayce said grinning. Beth nodded smiling, pouring herself a glass of wine.
"Here's our girl! How are you Katie?" John thought she would go straight to him but instead she held on to Rip's jeans and tried to hide her face.
"Give the kid a break Dad. Come see Uncle Kayce."
"It's all right." Rip tried to coax her from behind him brushing her hair away from her face.
"Tate is playing a game, would you like to see." Monica reached out a hand to Katie who took it.
"Hi Katie, I'm playing lego." Beth and Rip watched from behind the couch as Katie knelt down to grab some bricks.
"What did you say to her?"
"Told her that she needed to listen to us and that it was ok to get upset and angry but to not stomp around because she won't get her way. I think she just needed a second."
"I love you."
"I love you too Beth."
Tate was helping Katie build a tower whilst Kayce lay on the floor with them picking out bricks. Beth could see Katie was starting to lose interest as John announced dinner was ready. Kayce and Tate were quick to get to the table, scolded by Monica for running.
"I'll get her, can you take my wine."
"Come on baby, time to eat." Katie sat between Rip and Beth as he cut up her dinner for her.
Conversation flowed freely, predominantly about work before Beth interrupted.
"We have an announcement to make?"
"Beth, honey, what are you doing?" Beth ignored Rip.
"We are going to be adopting Katie. We are just waiting on paperwork to sign."
"An official cousin now!" Everyone laughed.
"Told you she was a Dutton."
"She'll be a Dutton-Walker actually." Both Rip and Beth smiled, Katie oblivious to what was going on around her.
"Let us know when it's final and we will have a small party for Katie and you both." John didn't think he would ever see Beth be a parent but watching her with Rip and Katie really was a great thing.
"A party for me?"
"A party for you cowgirl" Rip brushed her damp her away from her face as she tried to move away.
"Why?"
"Because we are going to adopt you so you can live with us forever." Katie reached across to Beth wanting to sit with her. Katie cuddled Beth around her neck before resting her head on her shoulder. It was getting close to her bedtime and she had had a big day, Beth finished her meal one handed.
"Looks like she's ok with that to me. I guess I'm definitely a Grandpa to two now."
Katie seemed to have a burst of energy after consuming more chocolate cake and ice cream than what Rip thought was possible, Tate ate nearly as much and they were chasing each other around the table giggling whilst everyone else sat in the lounge with a drink talking. Kayce and Monica cuddled up on a couch, John in an armchair and Beth tucked in to his side.
The kids had gone quiet for a little too long for Monica's liking causing her to listen closer to them than the conversation around her. Next thing they all heard a crash followed by Katie crying and Tate yelling for Kayce to come quickly.
Rip was the first one up of the couch heading straight for the dining room. Katie was red faced, crying and holding her forehead.
"What happened Tate?"
"I.. I don't know. We were playing and then Katie was running…"
"It's ok Tate, accidents happen." Rip tried to calm both kids down.
"Let me see Katie."
"It hurts."
"I know, let me see." Rip moved her hand from her head and saw a cut above her eyebrow and a bump forming on her forehead.
"I got the first aid kit Rip." Kayce passed it over.
Rip tried to clean the cut only causing Katie to cry harder.
"You've got to let me do it darlin'"
"I want Mama!" Hearing Katie call for her Beth approached the dining room, seeing both of them on the floor with the first aid kit out.
"She's ok Beth, Rip just needs to clean the cut." Beth nodded.
"Darlin' can you put her on your knee." Katie tried to turn in to Beth to get away from Rip and the antiseptic but he was too quick for her. They put a bandaid on and headed back to the lounge.
"Won't be the first bandaid you put on her Rip."
"No doubt sir."
Tate approached Katie on Beth's knee, "I'm sorry you hurt your head Katie."
"That's nice of you Tate. I think she's just a bit tired. You did the right thing calling for your Dad." Beth smiled at him before he went and sat next to Monica.
The crying had subsided and Katie's eyes were drooping as she sat in Beth's arm.
"I think we might call it a night, thank you sir."
"No problem. See you tomorrow."
After putting Katie to bed, Beth and Rip lay in bed discussing the next day.
"I have to go to work tomorrow in town and I have a few meetings. I'm not sure I can watch Katie."
"How long are the meetings for?"
"At best, we will finish by lunch. I asked Monica earlier if she can watch her but she is lecturing all day."
"I could take her with me. Pretty sure we will be doing the fences tomorrow."
"Thanks baby, just don't let her ride with anyone else."
"Not a chance, get some sleep."