During the week between picking up Lucy after basketball and working the ranch, Rip organised the supplies needed for her bedroom furniture they were going to make together.
Lucy dropped her bag in her room Friday night before falling on to the couch. Beth looked at Rip, wordlessly asking if something happened on the way home.
"She was quiet but didn't say anything."
Beth nodded, talking to Rip about her own day.
Lucy knew it was easy to tell Rip that it was all fine and he wouldn't push her on the subject if he though it was something he couldn't handle. That was exactly what happened after school today.
Earlier that day.
Janice must have told her kids what had happened with Donny because they decided to pay her a visit at lunch time.
"Hey little Lucy." She heard as her locked door was slammed shut, just missing her fingers. She knew that voice. Jayden, her old foster brother was stood next to the lockers. He was 17 and in his final year of school, it surprised Lucy that he had managed to get that far, considering he was only good with his fists.
"What do you want?"
"Where have you been? Mom's been worried sick."
"You've got to be kidding me. She never cared whether I was alive or dead before now."
"Don't be like that. Even I'm worried." Jayden told her with a grin. "So is Austin. He's been driving around looking for you."
Lucy rolled her eyes. Austin was 22 and a total jerk.
"Hey!" Jayden said slamming his palm against the lockers making a loud noise. "Don't you roll your eyes at me. I'm warning you Lucy, you better come home or you'll be in even more trouble."
"Hell will freeze over before I even consider that you moron." She told him turning to walk off. He grabbed her wrist pulling her back before she managed to shake him off and shove him away.
"You're a Wright Lucy, don't forget it. You can run and hide but we'll always find you."
"You're a wanker Jayden. Stay away from me." She told him. It had left her in a bad mood for the rest of the day.
"How was school Lucy?" Beth asked getting no reply. "Lucy." She said a bit louder, getting her attention.
"Huh?"
"I asked you how school was."
"Yeah fine." She told Beth. On the inside, Lucy knew Beth was more likely to realise the lie. Normally Lucy was more chatty and excited for the weekend, particularly with the prospect of basketball tomorrow.
"Wanna try that again?" Beth asked.
Lucy looked down at her knees that she had pulled to her chest. "I've got a problem."
Rip moved to the other side of the breakfast bar, letting Beth be the one to ask the questions.
"Ok. What is it, it'll be fixable."
Lucy shook her head. "I don't think this one will be."
"Try us." Beth said.
"Janice had a few kids right. I was the youngest. But the others were hers. Jayden was 17 and he goes to the same school and Austin is 22 and both aren't nice. Jayden came by my locker today and we had words that's all."
"What did he say Lucy." Rip asked in his deep voice.
"He said I could run and hide but they'd always find me. I'm not going back. I won't!"
"That's it." Beth said grabbing her keys. She slammed the front door shut before they could ask where she was going.
Rip stared at the closed door before Lucy spoke up. "Should we..?"
"I'll call her. Wait here." He said opening the front door looking at Beth's tail lights in the distance, realising she was only going up to the lodge. "It's fine Lucy. She's at the lodge."
"Where is he?" Beth loudly asked walking through the lodge. John's new play toy as Beth liked to think of her as, sitting on the sofa.
"What is it?" John asked appearing from the hallway.
"Your sweet Janice is causing problems. You need to sort that shit out."
"What happened?"
"Now her own brats are after Lucy. Stopping her at school, telling her she can run and hide but they'll still find her. Sounds like a threat to me Dad. You sort it before Rip and I do."
"Beth, I'll handle it." He said following her back out on to the porch. "I wouldn't have done it had I known they were like this."
Beth stood still on the last step to her car. "There is no justification for what you did to her." She told him before leaving.
John stood there. He knew she was right.
Beth parked at the cabin to find a campfire in the front yard with Lucy and Rip lying beside it with blankets and pillows. Lucy had no idea how Beth managed to walk everywhere in heels, including the damp grass.
"What's going on?'
"We were waiting for you so we had a fire." Lucy said as if it was not the most obvious thing.
"I see that." She said sitting next to Rip. "What time is basketball tomorrow?"
"10 but I don't want to go."
"Why?"
"I don't want to."
"Lucy that is not a reason. It's a team sport and you are part of the team. Other people are relying on you so you don't just get to chose when you show up." Rip told her.
"They're going to be there. Janice's kids."
"You don't know that." Beth said.
"I do! They are the type of people that don't quit. Ever."
"Lu. We are going to be there. They're not going to get a chance to try anything. I won't let that happen." Rip told her.
She sighed. "I know, but I'm scared. You are never scared of anything, both of you. Like how the fuck can I be so different?"
"Baby, we have lived more lifetimes that you and been through more shit that I hope you see in your lifetime but we get scared. Her kids will be learning a hard lesson if they try anything. Let's go inside, its freezing." Beth got up from the now dying fire. Rip and Lucy following.
Lucy fell asleep in her bed that Rip had put together last week, dreading the morning's arrival.
"Where did you go, Beth?" Rip asked in bed that night.
"Went to see my Dad. Told him to sort his shit. He's the one that caused this entire fucking situation."
"Mmmhm. You know I am her Dad. I can handle it." He said, making his point. Beth staying quiet.
Lucy got changed early the next morning in to her basketball uniform before making her breakfast and going outside.
She climbed up on to the fence to sit and watch the sun kiss the mountains good morning. The cool air made her nose run while she ate.
Rip managed to get the coffee machine going rather than his normal instant coffee, the smell waking Beth. "Here." He said passing her a mug of her second favourite liquid. "She's outside, before you ask."
Beth nodded taking a sip before going out to the porch, sitting on the swing. Rip groaned sitting next to her with his own mug. He stretched out putting his arm around her shoulders pulling her close to him.
Lucy finished what was in her bowl, jumping off the fence. Walking back up to the cabin she saw her parents sitting on the porch watching her. She stopped looking at them before looking down and continuing the walk up.
"Morning Lu." Rip said standing up. "I'm going down to the pen." He said leaning to kiss Beth.
She put her bowl in the sink before going back to sit on the porch step. She pulled her knees up and rested her chin on her arms.
"You don't want to go with Rip?" Beth asked.
Lucy turned her head, shaking it, her cheek now resting on her forearms.
"If you don't talk to me, I can't help you."
Lucy's eyes met Beth. "I'm scared they're going to get me."
Beth didn't know how to make her feel better, she could tell her it wouldn't happen because they wouldn't allow it but she didn't know that. She knew Lucy had been let down before and that doubt was what was creeping in.
"Tell me how I can help."
"Don't leave me." Lucy said vulnerably.
"Even after my last breath, I'll be with you." She told her, going inside.
Lucy stayed outside for a moment longer before going inside to Beth's room where she was getting ready for the game. She climbed under the doona, reaching for the book on Beth's nightstand. Beth turned to watch her before continuing to get ready.
She checked the time, thinking they needed to leave to get Lucy to the game in time. "Time to go. Get your shoes and bag."
Lucy threw the covers off, getting her bag from the room and waiting on the porch. Rip pulled up in the truck waiting for them to get in.
The drive to the stadium was quiet until they parked. Beth and Rip got out of the truck, followed by Lucy.
"Mom. Wait." Both Beth and Rip stopped and turned. "Can we go straight home after?"
"Yeah baby. We can." Beth told her putting her hand on her cheek. Lucy lent in to the touch slightly before leading the way.
Beth and Rip found seats in the second row of the bleachers, John joining them just before the game started with Kayce.
"What are you both doing here?" Beth asked.
"Making sure nothing happens." John told her.
Kayce lent forward. "Dad filled me in. Which ones are they?"
"No idea." Rip told him as the whistle blew.
They watched as Lucy ran up and down the court playing a decent game. It was apparent that she was distracted, often looking around the court at the crowd but still managing to get the ball.
Austin dragged his younger brother Jayden in to the stadium, pushing people out of the way so they could sit on the first row of bleachers. "She better be playing today you idiot."
"She's in the team." Jayden told him. "She right there, see!" He said pointing her out.
"Right. Mom wants her home you hear me. She's coming home today whether she likes it or not."
"I know Austin. I told her that."
When the half time buzzer went Lucy sat on the bench with Austin and Jayden in her line of sight. They both waved and grinned and Lucy felt her blood go cold inside her. She turned looking for Rip and found John and Kayce also there.
"Bathroom break coach?" She asked who nodded.
"Quick Wheeler."
She nodded, walking off towards the bathroom, catching Beth's eye. Beth watched Lucy, noticing two boys get up and follow her, waiting outside the bathroom. They looked older than Lucy and definitely the type of people Beth had come to know Lucy not to hang out with.
"That's them." She said.
"Where?" Kayce asked first.
"Outside the bathroom, Lucy looked at me as she walked in there and they both followed."
John nodded, standing with Kayce and Rip. All three men went down court side, making their way to the bathrooms.
"Hey boys, you wouldn't know where to find some food would you?" John asked.
"Uh.. over there." Jayden mumbled.
"Right thanks.. what was your name?"
"Jayden."
"And you?" He asked looking at Austin.
"None of your business."
"No? I think I can guess that you're Austin. You see, my name is John Dutton. That's my son Kayce and my son in law Rip. And you've just become our problem."
"The fuck?" Austin retorted. Jayden glanced over at Austin trying to tell him to shut it. He had heard Janice mutter something about a John.
"You boys and your mother are bothering my granddaughter. I've already warned your mother but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"She's ours." Jayden said, mustering up some courage.
"She no one's damn property, you hear me boy." Rip growled.
Kayce put his hand firmly on Jayden's shoulder while Rip put his hand on Austin's.
"Start walking." John said.
"You can't make us." Jayden said less confident.
"Try it." Kayce said squeezing his grip on his shoulder.
Jayden and Austin squirmed trying to get out of the cowboys grip, forced to walk towards the exit. Rip wasn't above hurting anyone whether they be nearly an adult at 17 or a young man if they were wanting to harm his little girl.
Lucy came out of the bathroom just before the buzzer went for the second half, she took her place on the bench looking around for Austin and Jayden, not finding either. She looked over to where her family was and saw Beth sitting by herself. She knew she would find out what was going on later anyway.
The team weren't playing well, the away team were all over the ball and Lucy's team were struggling to defend.
Her coach called a time out to yell at the girls, trying to light a fire under them.
"What did we miss?" Kayce asked sitting back down.
"Nothing. First game they're going to lose." She said not making eye contact.
"Why they'd bench her?" Rip asked. "She hasn't played that badly." Because of Lucy's interest in basketball, Rip had become not only her personal coach but also her biggest cheerleader.
"Do I even ask?" Beth said resting her hand under her chin.
"No, honey. But it is sorted." John told her.
Lucy remained on the bench, which didn't bother her. She knew she wasn't playing well and that the team as a whole wasn't playing cohesively. She had other things on her mind, whereas it was frustrating Ella to no end on the court. Lucy stood as the buzzer went, shaking the oppositions hand. She spoke to her own teammates before getting changed to meet Beth and Rip.
"Good game Lucy." Kayce said, hanging around to see her.
"Ahh not the best one you could have come to." She said with a shy smile.
"Guess I'll come another time then." He told her before saying goodbye and leaving with John.
Rip parked the truck down at the bunkhouse telling Beth and Lucy he had to check on something before they went up to the cabin.
"You not going?" Beth asked scrolling on her phone.
"Nah." Lucy said lying down on her side in the backseat.
Beth looked up hearing another truck pull up next to them, seeing Jimmy get out of the passenger seat with a woman, a neck and back brace, his newest accessory. The woman grabbed Jimmy's bag from the truck walking to the bunkhouse.
"Jesus Christ." Beth said.
"What is it?" Lucy asked staying where she was.
Beth stayed silent, watching the Dutton men, minus Jamie and with the addition of Rip, approach the spot Jimmy was sat.
Lucy sat up and saw Jimmy. "Oh shit. Is he ok?" She said undoing her seat belt and going to open the back seat door.
"Just wait. Let them talk." Beth told her.
They watched as John spoke firmly to Jimmy who appeared to become more worked up as the conversation continued.
John walked away leaving Rip and Kayce to deal with Jimmy before Rip left shaking his own head back to the truck.
"Don't ask." Rip said getting in to the truck, driving up to the cabin.
Lucy grabbed her notebook and sat outside writing in it while Beth and Rip did their own thing in the cabin.
"What's going on Rip? Do I need to know anything about those boys?"
"It's handled Beth. They won't bother her."
Beth looked at him. She trusted Rip more than anyone but she wanted to know what was going on.
"We don't do secrets. We don't get to do that anymore. Especially when it comes to her." She told him.
"Beth, there are no secrets. We spoke to them and gave them some warnings. They gave their word and if they don't keep it the consequence was made clear."
On the chair outside Lucy scribbled her thoughts and feeling, listening the the wind through the trees and the birds singing to each other. She looked up hearing the gravel under someone boots, she saw John coming up the driveway.
She closed her notebook and stood on the bottom step of the porch. "John."
"Lucy. What are you doing?"
"Nothing much."
John took a breath, he wasn't sure how his next words would be taken. "I was going to ask if you wanted to go for a bike ride or even a walk in the woods. I heard you've been taking lots of photos lately."
Lucy looked at him surprised.
"I know a few good spots." He added quickly.
"My Dad is here." Beth said from inside the cabin where she saw him from the window.
"Why?" Rip asked from the landing.
"I don't know. Talking to Lucy. I'm going to ask." She told him opening the door. "What are you doing here?"
"I was just seeing if Lucy wanted to go for a bike ride or walk?"
"I'm gonna change." Lucy said going inside before anything further could be said.
Rip saw her come up the stairs. "What's going on?"
"You think Mom will mind if I go hang out with John?" Lucy asked.
Rip looked at her closer. "Everything ok?"
Lucy nodded.
"Lu, if that's what you want to do that's completely fine."
She smiled slightly, the first Rip could recall all day. Lucy quickly changed in to leggings, her runners and a jumper before going back on to the porch. "I'm ready."
Beth looked in to Lucy's eyes, there was no sign of fear that she could tell in them. She gave her a smile before telling her to go.
"Bike ride or walk?" John asked.
"Walks fine by me."
John nodded. "I got you something. Let's hope Beth doesn't kill me for it." He said with a smile, he opened the backseat door to the truck getting out what Lucy thought must have been the oldest camera she'd ever seen.
"This was my wife's. She liked taking photos. I've got no use for the thing but you might." He said holding it out to her.
"I don't know how to use it."
"Good thing she made me learn when I married her."
Lucy held the metal camera in her hands turning it over to look at it properly.
"I know it's not digital but.."
"Thanks." Lucy said cutting him off. "Dad showed me this path once." She said pointing towards the woods, walking ahead.
John suggested a different route to the last one Rip took Lucy on, opening to a different clearing. It was an open space of nearly nothing except some rocks at the other end of the clearing where a stream ran through.
"Pass it here." John said holding his hand out.
Lucy passed the camera to him watching as he loaded a roll of film as if he had done it yesterday. "Should do that bit in the dark, my wife would say." He commented.
John looked through the lens, passing the camera to Lucy and explaining how to use the light meter. "You only get 36 photos per roll of film."
Lucy nodded, understanding. She held it up to her eye, winding the advance lever and taking a photo.
"But how do I develop them?"
"Take them to town." John told her. "My wife use to do it at home until we had Kayce."
"That's cool." Lucy said keeping an eye looking through the view finder.
John pulled out a longer lens from his pocket, showing Lucy how to change the lens and look after them. They walked further in to the clearing before John told her to stop.
"Stay still Lucy. There is a bear over there with it's cub." He whispered to her pointing it out, moving slowly.
"What do we do?" She asked nervously.
"Well. It's seen us, we're far enough away at the moment. Don't make any sudden movements."
Lucy took some photos, working out how to zoom with the lens and focus. "I think I got some good ones John!" She whispered with excitement.
"Good. We're going to go, I want you to keep facing the bears but walk back slowly." John told her.
Lucy held her nerve trying to do exactly as John said. Rip had warned her about the bears but she hadn't seen one yet. She let out the breath she had been holding when John told her she could turn around.
"Maybe don't tell Beth about that."
"Maybe not." Lucy agreed. They made awkward small talk, until they were back at the cabin. Lucy bounded up the porch pushing the front door open.
"I'm home!" She yelled with John following behind.
Beth came down from the landing taking her glasses off. She noticed Lucy had flushed cheeks and a happier, calmer look on her face than she had all morning.
"Look what John let me use." Lucy said holding out the camera, before Beth could ask her anything.
"It's yours now Lucy." John said, avoiding Beth's gaze.
Beth recognised the camera immediately. She looked at John who wouldn't look her in the eye.
"You don't mind?" Lucy asked John. She had noticed the look on Beth's face.
He shook his head. "I'm going to get going." He said, letting himself out.
Lucy put the camera down on the breakfast bar before going around the counter to Beth.
"I'll give it back." She told Beth.
"Why?"
"It's your Mom's."
"It's yours now." She said with a smile. "I'll be back." Lucy watched Beth go up the stairs, confused. Rip came down a few minutes later.
"You ok?" He asked, seeing Lucy sitting in the reading chair looking out the window.
"I guess so." She told him with a shrug.
Rip sighed. "What is it?"
"I think I hurt Mom's feelings."
"How so?" Rip asked sitting down. He figured this was not going to be a quick conversation.
"John gave me his wife's old camera. To like keep though. And Mom had this weird look on her face but she said it was mine but her and John wouldn't look at each other."
Rip nodded. He had no idea how to handle that one. "Lu, I think if she said it's yours then she's ok with it."
Lucy turned and shot him a look to let him know she didn't quite believe him.
"Go get it and show me." Rip said trying to distract her. Lucy got up and sat next to him showing him the old camera.
"Back to the 70's hey." Rip said making her laugh.
"And I'll have to wait to see whether they're any good." She told him.
Later that night Rip stopped to chat to Beth away from Lucy on the porch.
"Sweetheart, are you ok?"
"Why?" She snapped.
"Well Lucy felt that she upset you with having the camera and you've been pretty pissed off since." He told her, she shot him a glare. "I've already had that look today from our daughter."
"I didn't know he had kept it and to see it and in her hands, I don't know Rip, I don't know how I felt."
Rip nodded. "She won't want it if she keeps thinking it is upsetting you."
"I told her it's hers." Beth said looking at him.
They heard the door creak open before Lucy's voice. "Are you talking about me?"
"We are." Beth told her.
"Am I in trouble?"
Rip shook his head, before getting up to go inside.
"Sit with me." Beth told her. "I'm not upset about the camera. I didn't realise my Dad had kept it. My mother loved it, god that damn thing went everywhere with us. It's yours as long as you look after it."
"I will. John said I can get the film developed in town. Do you think I can get a job so I can pay for it?" She asked.
Beth was glad that Lucy appreciated that she would need to work to pay for the things she wanted. "You can work on the ranch for pocket money. I'll talk to your Dad."
Lucy went to grimace, she couldn't help but think that having a job in town would be so much easier than doing the work on the ranch. Especially if her Dad was the one making up the jobs.