That night Lucy lay in bed as the wind howled around the cabin. All the lights were off and she couldn't hear Beth or Rip, figuring they were also asleep.
She tossed and turned in her bed, kicking off the covers, deciding to get up for a glass of water. She crept down the stairs not wanting to wake anyone before filling the first glass she could find.
Lucy drank the entire glass before re-filling it. She could hear truck tyres on the gravel approaching the cabin before she could see the lights as they went around the perimeter. She couldn't make out who it was. She waited to see if they would keep driving, except they stopped out the front and she heard the truck door open and men's voices. She knew Beth and Rip never locked the front door.
Lucy dropped the glass hearing Rip's footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Sweetheart, go to your Mom. Right now." He told her, surprised to see her downstairs. Lucy looked up to the stairs and saw Beth there with one arm out, waiting for her, in a dressing gown.
"Who's there?" Lucy asked Beth, watching as Rip grabbed a rifle from above the doorframe and going outside.
"I don't know baby. What were you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep. The wind." Lucy said with a shiver from the cool night air where Rip had left the door open.
"Back to bed."
Lucy didn't put up a fight about wanting to see what was happening, before climbing back under her own covers. Beth left her door ajar before going to her own room to get changed to see what was going on. She went down the stairs hoping Lucy didn't notice her shadow past her door to find her own father outside with Rip, Colby, Ryan and Lloyd in handcuffs. She waited on the porch until the cowboys and her father had left before Rip came inside.
"What's going on?"
Rip shook his head. "Lloyd and Walker had a fight. No fighting on this ranch Beth."
Beth rolled her eyes, before going back to their own bed. Rip got in beside her, holding her close. "What was Lucy doing?" He murmured to her.
"She couldn't sleep, the wind kept her awake."
"Ok." He said before closing his eyes again.
Beth lay there with her head on his chest listening to his breathing and the wind that sounded around the cabin, in her own thoughts. She wasn't sure how long she had been lying there until she heard her door creak open and Lucy standing there. She sat up in her bed to see what was wrong.
"I can't sleep. I don't think I've slept all night! I'm so tired." She whispered, her voice cracking.
"Come here." Beth told her as Lucy made her way to Beth's side of the bed.
"I'm never going to get to sleep before I have school tomorrow."
Beth looked over at the time, Rip would be getting up in a few hours, likely to also be grumpy from an interrupted sleep.
"Get in then." Beth told her moving closer to Rip so Lucy could sleep on her normal side. Rip grumbled next to her but went back to sleep. Lucy lay with her back to Beth while Beth ran her fingers through her hair, she eventually closed her eyes, Beth not far behind.
At the first crack of light, Rip groaned and woke up, he looked over to find his wife no longer next to him but holding someone else in their bed. He sat up and saw Lucy facing Beth, who had her arms around her, both asleep. He got up quietly, getting ready for the day.
He lent down to give Beth a kiss, realising she was awake.
"That time already?"
"Yeah." He whispered not wanting to wake Lucy.
"She couldn't sleep. She's probably only been asleep for two hours." Beth told him. He nodded tucking a piece of stray hair behind Lucy's ear and leaving a kiss on her forehead.
"I will see you tonight." He said before going downstairs.
With Lucy's head tucked under her own chin, Beth shut her eyes until the second alarm of the morning went off. Lucy turned further in to Beth hearing the dreaded sound before opening her eyes.
"I'm so tired." Was the first thing out of Lucy's mouth.
"Shut your eyes. I'll wake you when we need to get going." Beth said, planning to give her ten more minutes. Beth didn't move as Lucy's breathing evened out.
Moments exactly like this made Beth angry. The moments where Lucy came to her for protection and love because she was scared or happy or just wanting Beth, who hadn't been there for so many years. She hoped Lucy would still come in to her bedroom when she needed Beth in the months and years to come but remembering her own teenage years, she knew it would be short lived.
Beth glanced at the time and knew if she didn't get up now with Lucy there was no chance that she would get her to school on time. She gently shook her shoulder before telling her she needed to get ready.
"I'm so tired my eyes hurt." Lucy said coming down the stairs to find two slices of toast waiting for her that Beth had made.
"You'll be fine. I'll pick you up after school and we'll come home."
Lucy grabbed her bag shoving some of the books she would need in to it as well as the lunch Rip had left out on the bench for her. Beth was waiting for her in the car, Lucy rushed out before going back inside for her school diary from the kitchen table. She slammed the front door before slamming the passenger door shut.
"The door still attached?" Beth asked sarcastically.
"Sorry. Forgot my diary!" She said holding it up. "Also gotta get you to sign a form for an excursion tomorrow. I forgot about it."
Beth glanced at the form nodding, not reading where she was going. "How much does it cost?"
"I already paid it. I paid the fee at the start of term." Lucy told her, that's why she had taken so many shifts at the bar before she quit.
"Baby, I will pay your fees. You don't need to pay for that. You hear me." Beth told her.
"Uh huh." She said nodding looking out the window. Beth pulled up at her normal drop off and pick up spot and held her hand out for the form. Lucy passed a pen and the paper while Beth scribbled her signature before Lucy rushed off for the day. She didn't read the paper for the location but made a mental note to ask Lucy that night.
"Hey! You get it signed?" Ella asked slinging her arm around Lucy's shoulder.
"Yeah." She said with a grin holding up the excursion permission slip.
"I can't wait to have no training after school and no school in these walls tomorrow." Ella said with a sigh.
"Same here." Lucy told her as they went to the first class of the day, dropping off their permission slips.
Lucy didn't have much energy that day, remaining pretty quiet during her classes, to the point both her friends and teachers were asking if she was ok.
"I'm fine, just a bit tired" She explained with a small smile.
When the bell rang and she grabbed her stuff from her locker she was relieved to see Beth waiting for her in their agreed spot.
"Ready to go?" Beth asked as she got in. Lucy nodded resting her head against the head rest. "We are having dinner at the Lodge because Gator is cooking, John will be there." Beth told her keeping her eyes on the road.
"Ok. I gotta be at school early tomorrow and no basketball either."
Beth didn't acknowledge that Lucy didn't say anything about having dinner at the lodge incase she did change her mind. "Where is this excursion?"
"We're going to the Capitol building, it's going to be hours on the bus!" Lucy said turning her head to look at Beth.
"For what class is this?"
"History but seems weird." Lucy told her, half distracted by a game she opened on her phone.
Beth glanced at her realising that Lucy had not put two and two together about who worked where her excursion would be.
"Lucy." Beth said, not getting her attention. "Honey, put your phone down for a second." She told her reaching out for it.
"Huh?"
"Lucy, Jamie works at the Capitol. He's the Attorney-General."
"Oh of course he is." She said with a groan.
"And my Dad is let's just say friendly with the Governor." Beth told her referring to Lynelle.
"It just gets better!" Lucy said shutting her eyes.
"I can always come up there anyway and spend the day so if you need me I'm there?" Beth suggested.
"Mom! That'll be so embarrassing if my mom shows up to the excursion!" Lucy exclaimed, she couldn't think of anything worse.
"Ok. I doubt you'll see him, he always acts like he's too busy." Beth tried to reassure her.
Beth parked up at the lodge, going inside with Lucy a few paces behind her, John was standing near the fire that was not lit with a glass of whiskey while Rip was in an armchair.
Rip stood when Beth entered, getting her a drink and a brief kiss.
"Hey Lu." He noticed her tired eyes.
"Hey Dad." She said as she followed him. "Can I have a soda please?"
He nodded telling her to get one from the kitchen and put it in a glass.
She came back with a cookie in hand and her soda taking a seat next to Beth.
"Lucy. We are having dinner soon." Beth whispered to her.
"I know that." She said with her mouth full.
"How was everyone's day?" John interrupted.
Beth looked at him strangely. This was not the man she had grown up with, he didn't make awkward conversation unless it was conversation about the ranch.
"I have an excursion tomorrow." Lucy offered.
"Where to?" John asked, interested considering no one else was going to talk to him.
"The Capitol. Might even bump in to old Jamie." Lucy said trying to joke. Beth knew that behind the joke Lucy wasn't feeling that brave.
Rip sat up a bit straighter. "You want me to meet you there Lu?"
"Mom already said that, no thanks. I'll never hear the end of it." She told him. Rip didn't seem as keen on the idea but let it be.
John listened to the conversation but didn't comment. He already knew what he was going to do, whether the people involved liked it or not. He cleared his throat to talk to Rip, changing the subject.
"Your little play thing, finally left Dad?" Beth interrupted not seeing the woman who had been hanging around the lodge.
"Her name was Summer. I was just helping her out. She's gone." John said not wanting to discuss her.
Beth nodded with a smirk. "She sure liked you. Wonder what Lynelle would say?"
Rip shook his head, he could see how this was going to pan out if it didn't end soon.
"Isn't that the Governors name?" Lucy piped up, having now put two and two together with what Beth had mentioned in the car.
Beth smirked watching it unfold.
"Are you and the Governor a thing?" Lucy asked gesturing with her hands.
John put his glass down with a sigh. "There's history there."
Lucy's eyes widened. "Great." She muttered slumping back on the sofa.
Gator announced that their dinner was on the table. Lucy followed Beth and Rip sitting next to Beth, Rip on the opposite side of the table and John sitting at the head.
Lucy was too tired to be bothered joining in on the conversation, picking up only little pieces. She heard John ask her Dad about the new ranch hand and whether he was any good.
"We will see. He's riled a few of the boys up today." Rip told him.
"Keep an eye on it." John said, continuing his meal.
Lucy sat back in her chair once she was finishing waiting for Beth and Rip so she could go home. Except Rip was taking what felt like forever between slowly eating and talking to John.
Beth pushed her chair back from the table getting everyone's attention.
"You keep talking but we are going." She announced. "Come on Lucy."
Rip looked at Beth, his fork half way to his mouth, unsure if he should also get up to leave. Beth smiled at him and shook her head knowing what he was thinking.
John said goodnight to them both and Rip said he would see them later, continuing with his dinner.
Lucy was quick to get upstairs and ready for bed while Beth picked herself a new book downstairs. She made her way upstairs to check in on Lucy finding her asleep with her bedside lamp still on, she noticed her room was a bit of a mess with clothes on the floor and her wardrobe doors open. She made a mental note to tell her to clean it tomorrow, she switched off the lamp, leaving the bedroom door ajar before going to her own room.
Rip crept through the house quietly, stopping to check on Lucy in her room before finding Beth in their bed reading.
"You're still up." He said getting changed before sliding under the covers next to her.
"I swear to God if Jamie tries something tomorrow."
"Sweetheart, he might not even be there. She's going to fight him if she feels she needs to." Rip told her.
"I don't know. She was in fight or flight mode continuously for so long and I don't think she still is."
Rip took the book out of her hands, closing it and putting it on his side of the bed. "Beth, I don't want you to worry about it right now."
Beth glared at him. "How can I not! After everything he did."
He knew his words were not the best choice. "Because your Father is going to go and be there."
"And you agreed?"
Rip shrugged.
Beth kept her mouth shut knowing what she would say would start an argument.
When Rip woke the next morning, Beth woke up as well.
"What are you doing?" Rip's morning husky voice said.
"She's got to be at school early and no basketball tonight."
He nodded going downstairs to prepare a breakfast for them all before he had to go.
Beth opened Lucy's door to find her still asleep. She shook her shoulder gently. "Come on, good morning." She said when Lucy opened her eyes.
"All ready?" Lucy whispered.
Beth nodded. "And your room is a mess Lucy."
Lucy closed her eyes before rolling over with a groan. It wasn't long before the smell of bacon dragged her downstairs. She had on a clean pair of jeans, sneakers that Beth had picked up for her recently and a t shirt. Her hair was a mess from sleep. She thanked Rip when he put a plate down in front of her.
Rip watched his two ladies, finishing his coffee.
"Have fun today. I'll see you both tonight." He said grabbing his hat and leaving.
Beth waited in her car for Lucy much earlier than their normal time. The car ride was pretty quiet and Beth pulled up to find a large bus waiting out the front of the school.
"I'll text you when we are on the way home?"
"Either your Dad or I will pick you up." Beth told her as she got out of the car. She watched as Lucy ran off to catch up with her friends waiting to get on the bus.
Lucy sat next to Ella on the bus.
"You've got the biggest bags under your eyes Lucy!" Ella said with a laugh.
"I know." Lucy groaned. "The wind kept me awake the other night and then some of the cowboys were fighting and ended up at our house. My Dad has this thing about 'no fighting on this ranch'." She finished in a deeper voice mimicking Rip.
"Fighting!" Ella said surprised. "Over what?"
"I have no idea. I went back to bed before Dad came back inside and only heard him say that to my Mom." Lucy said resting her head on the back of the seat. "And then last night we had the whole family dinner thing."
Ella shook her head, changing the subject for the rest of the bus ride.
Most of the kids were glad to get off the bus when they arrived at the Capitol. The teachers gave their usual lectures before they went inside and through security. Lucy was impressed by the building, she had never been to Helena before.
They were broken in to smaller groups and a tour guide met with each group. Lucy was relieved to be in Ella's group. The tour started with the history of the building itself as they moved through to different areas. The tour guide was knowledgeable but it was not something that interested either of the girls. Ella off in her own world, while Lucy was happy enough just to look around at the paintings on the walls. The pair trailed behind their group, both looked up hearing a different voice.
"Hello everyone. My name is Lynelle Perry and I am the Governor." Lucy tried not to smile realising that this was the woman John had history with.
Ella elbowed Lucy, "Do you know her or something?" She whispered.
"Nope. She knows John though." She whispered back with a wink.
"Ohhh, I see." Ella said trying not to laugh for fear of being told off by the teachers. Lynelle continued to talk about her role in Government as they all stood around.
Lynelle was looking at all the kids before two girls at the back caught her eye. It was one particular girl that caught her eye. It was like she was looking at the photos of teenage Beth Dutton from the Yellowstone's living room. She did a double take as the group left before she felt her phone buzz.
She pulled her phone out to see a missed call and text from John Dutton. She never understood how he always knew when to get in contact with her. She didn't bother reading the message before hitting his name to call.
She turned hearing someone's phone ring before seeing John standing there in his usual hat and Yellowstone jacket. She hung up.
"I didn't expect to see you here John."
"I had some other business that I may need to attend to here today." He told her.
"It wouldn't have anything to do with that school group?" She pried.
John nodded.
"That girl that looks like Beth is a Dutton?"
"Half." John said with a smile. "She Beth and Rip's daughter."
"I didn't know."
John nodded looking down. "That's a story for another time. She doesn't know I'm here and neither does Beth unless Rip told her. I'm only here if she needs me."
Lynelle inhaled. "Jamie." She said.
"I better get going." John said, putting his hat back on.
"I'll take you to where they're going next. Jamie is giving the next speech to their group." Lynelle finished, leading the way.
The pair walked in comfortable silence. "They should be just through that doorway." She said pointing to the doorway in front of them.
"Thanks Lynelle." He said reaching out to touch her arm. He stopped next to her just before the next room where he could see Jamie talking to the group and Lucy against the wall avoiding looking up.
Jamie's eyes were scanning the crowd for a blonde head that resembled his own spiteful sister. Then he spotted her, the niece, his niece that shouldn't exist. There she was with who he presumed was a friend trying to hide against the wall at the back of the group.
One of the teachers interrupted his thoughts asking if any of the kids had questions for him. A few hands went up and he picked kids out of the group, answering their questions.
"All right guys. One more question!" The teacher called out.
"How about one from the back?" Jamie suggested, knowing that would get Lucy's attention.
Lucy looked up offering Jamie a glare and nothing more.
"Maybe not!" He said with a charismatic laugh.
"Thanks Jamie." The tour guide said before holding their hand up for everyone to follow.
"Excuse me." Jamie said to the teacher. "That's my niece, Lucy. I was hoping I could chat to her? I'll make sure she re-joins the group."
The teacher looked uncertain but nodded. All the staff knew that Lucy Wheelers mother was Beth Dutton so she couldn't see the harm in it. "As long as she re-joins the group."
"Of course." He said with a nod making his way to Lucy who was chatting to Ella as they followed the rest of the group.
Lucy turned hearing her name called as Jamie approached. "Can I have a word?"
Lucy sighed, of course this was going to be happening, she thought.
"No." She told him.
Ella raised her eyebrows surprised at Lucy's response.
"Don't be like that to your Uncle. I've already cleared it with your teacher."
Lucy turned to Ella realising it wasn't going to be easy to escape this one. "Go ahead, I'll catch up. This won't be long."
Ella walked away glancing back to see Lucy with a dark look on her face.
"Aren't you going to see what they're talking about?" Lynelle whispered to John from where they stood.
"Not yet. She's all right, she's more like Beth than I'd like to admit." John said from where he lent against the wall.
"What do you want?" Lucy asked trying to walk away.
"Don't walk away from me." Jamie said grabbing her upper arm.
Lucy looked at his hand wrapped around her bicep. "Get the fuck off me." She said trying to get free before pushing him with her free hand.
"Show me some respect. I am the Attorney-General and your Uncle." He said tightening his grip.
"You're no one to me, get off you're hurting me." She said wincing.
John had seen enough and heard enough once Lucy had said he was hurting her.
"Get off her Jamie." He said gruffly. Lynelle remaining in the doorway.
"Dad!" Jamie said surprised letting go of Lucy who grabbed her arm with her hand, rubbing it.
"John." Lucy said looking at him surprised.
"What were you doing Jamie?"
"I was just going to talk to her. I'm allowed to talk to her." Jamie tried to defend himself.
"You know Beth and Rip wouldn't approve. Why did you grab her then?" John asked gesturing to Lucy.
"She was disrespectful to me."
"She a teenager for god's sake Jamie. Or have you forgotten what you were like?"
Jamie didn't say a word other than looking at Lucy.
"Come on Lucy. Let's go." John said holding his arm out for her. She walked over, John putting his hand on her shoulder.
"We'll talk later Jamie." John said turning on his heel with Lucy towards Lynelle. Leaving Jamie standing where the school group once congregated.
"You all right?" John asked, leaving the room.
"Yeah I'm good."
"Lynelle this is my granddaughter, Lucy this is Lynelle." John said introducing them.
Lucy offered her a smile and brief wave.
"You're certainly your Mother's daughter." Lynelle said.
"I'm told that a lot."
"Show me your arm." John told Lucy. She didn't argue with him pulling up her sleeve. Lynelle watched John interacting with Lucy with interest, she imagined that this was very different to how he was when his own children were young considering how they turned out.
Lynelle noticed a red hand grip mark appearing on the girls skin where the tan from her t shirt started, no doubt from working on the ranch.
"Oh Mom is definitely gonna lose it."
John chuckled. "You're right about that. You better get back to the rest of you class."
"Can't I just go home? Can't you take me? This is a dumb excursion anyway. No offence." She finished looking at Lynelle who shook her head.
John was surprised but didn't show it. "I'll see what I can do."
John left a kiss on Lynelle's cheek and followed Lucy in the direction the rest of the school group had left prior.
Lucy found most of her class on the lawn eating their lunches before Ella ran up to her.
"Your Uncle is a dick." She exclaimed.
"I know. Ella this is John my Grandpa." Lucy said gesturing behind her.
"Uh hi."
"Jacky Jones' daughter. Tell your Dad I said hello."
"Yes Sir." She said looking at him strangely.
"Where's the teacher Lucy?" John asked before Lucy pointed out her history teacher. John nodded leaving her with Ella to go and talk to the teacher.
"Excuse me Ma'am." He started interrupting a conversation. A teacher a bit older than Beth turned, surprised to see him. "I'm John Dutton -"
"Yes I know who you are." She said briskly.
"Right. I'm hoping you don't mind but I would like to take my granddaughter home early? Lucy Wheeler? There is something we need to attend to." He said, bluffing the last part.
"Mr Dutton, I can't just allow you to take her. She is on a school excursion and unless you are on her contacts list I can't allow that."
John nodded. Schools were a lot stricter these days compared to when his kids went to school. "If you could call the school to check, I'd appreciate it."
The history teacher was less than impressed, huffing before making the phone call. John waited just outside of earshot before she re-approached him.
"It must be your lucky day Mr Dutton, you were placed as an emergency contact yesterday evening."
John nodded, figuring that perhaps Beth did know that he was going to show up regardless and added him last night. "You have a good day Ma'am" he said lifting his hat slightly to leave.
"Let's go Lucy." He said interrupting her conversation with her friends, not stopping.
She rushed her goodbyes before getting in the truck for the long drive back. She was dreading what her mom and dad were going to say when she got home early and heard what happened.