54

                                    

                                          
Baby walked over to the horses and wranglers, adjusting the gloves on her hands, reaching out and grasping Ebony's reins, which were held out to her by Rip. Spirit had actually taken a liking to Ryan, which she thought was okay, since it gives the horse a chance to run. Ebony also didn't like anyone else riding him, Colby tried it once and it didn't really end all that well, but the wrangler got all of the feeling back in his ass eventually, so that was a plus. She mounted the horse, settling herself in the saddle,
"Fellas, thanks for helping out." John said to a man as he walked toward him 
"How is it you plan on doing this?" He asked
"Rip, have you figured out how to . . do this without all of us getting trampled?" looking at the foreman
"Well, best we came up with sir is like fuck it, you know?" Rip replied, shrugging slightly "Let's get up there as fast as we can and just chase those sons of bitches down the mountain."
"Fuck it." looking at him "That's your plan, too? Fuck it?" looking at Kayce 
"Daddy, it'll be a shit show no matter what we do." Baby replied "We do it fast, give us less time for things to go south, ya know?"
"Your logic is so flawed, sweetheart." he chuckled "Hell, it almost makes sense."
"Great." another cowboy muttered as John mounted his horse 
"All right." he announced "Fuck it."
Baby let out a whistle, which gained the attention of most of the horses, the woman knowing it was time to show off a little,
"Hold on to those reins, wranglers!" she called out ". . Chet-chet!"
They did as instructed as the horses bolted forward, the other cowboys following them as the animals ran across a field, making their way to a neighboring ranch in order to collect the horses that were bred there. The owner of the ranch had committed suicide, his ranch was going to be foreclosed, and Kayce thought it was good idea to sell the horses that were there in order to give the family somewhat of a chance at life. She knew it wouldn't be enough to set them up for life, but it would be something to help them get restarted. 
∆
Dozens of horses ran across a field -- males, mothers, and their babies -- the cowboys chasing after them on their own horses. Their hooves sounded like thunder as they stomped against the ground, which sounded like music to her ears as they were gathered, similar to his they move cattle. The horses were led into a large paddock, Baby pulling on Ebony's reins, bringing him to a stop as two other cowboys closes the metal gate,
"I thought for sure someone was going to the hospital." Kayce commented
"I thought someone was dying." Rip chuckled
"But damn, that was fun." Baby said, a smile on her lips 
"You know, I got half a mind to run up that hill and do it again." John spoke up
"I'll race you." looking at him 
". . Fuck it." nodding slightly
Laughter emitted from her as she turned Ebony around, the black horse running back up the hill as John chased after them with his own horse, Kayce and Ryan smiling at the sight of them. 
X
It was dark by the time they got back to the ranch, the wranglers -- and Baby -- walking into the bunkhouse, a tired sigh emitting from her nose, pausing for a moment when she saw two other women in the building, Jimmy sitting at the table, wearing a neck brace. One of them had dark hair, the one Jimmy had been looking at when they were at the rodeo. The other woman had to have been her friend, who was also a blonde,
"We helped ourselves to your beer." the dark haired woman informed "Hope you don't mind."
"Yeah, we can see that." Colby said, walking to his bunk "They with you, Jimmy?"
"Yeah, this was not my idea." he replied 
"Fuck it." Teeter said as she shrugged off her coat "It's Friday night somewhere." walking to the kitchen area 
"No, today is Friday." Colby replied, his coat on his bed "Like literally, right now is Friday." looking at her
"Then Friday's your lucky fucking day." swinging her hips as she removed her hat
She tossed it toward Colby, who caught it in his hands,
"She's growing on you." Ryan said, looking at him 
"She's not growing on me." he replied ". . Okay, she had, like, a couple of moves and stuff. It's kinda like . . she's a dancer. She studied."
"Where in the fuck did she study dancing?" removing Baby's hat "Fucking sheeper cabin in Ten Sleep?"
"Baby!" Teeter called out from the refrigerator "Youse want red or purple?"
". . I'm feeling a little extra sweet tonight." she replied
Teeter stood straight, a beer in one hand and a purple Milo's in the other, tossing the bottle toward her, which caused her to catch it with ease. She shook it for a few seconds, cracking the bottle open and taking a drink,
"Those are yours?" The dark haired woman asked
"Yeah, and don't fucking touch 'em." Teeter answered, cracking her beer open and taking a drink 
"Fucking Barrel Racers." Jake chuckled
"I bet you're getting that joke now, aren't you, Jimmy?" Ryan asked, walking to the refrigerator after hanging up Baby's hat 
"Yeah, guys this is Mia." Jimmy replied, pointing to the dark haired woman "And her friend, Laramie" pointing to the blonde 
∆
Music continued to play through the bunkhouse, Baby grabbing a thin rope, getting it ready and throwing it toward Ryan, which caused it to land around his shoulders, gently pulling on it and causing him to smile. He got up from his seat, following the rope and walking over to her, placing his hands on her hips and pulling her flush against him, leaning down and claiming her lips with his own. The bunkhouse had gotten used to them showing affection, but that didn't stop them from teasing them about it, something they surprisingly didn't do this time. 
"What the fuck are you dipshits doing?" Rip demanded as he walked in 
Baby and Ryan pulled back, watching as he looked toward them, which caused her to point to her older sister, who was dancing to the music, wearing Baby's hat with a bottle of whiskey in her hand. 
"I should've known it was you." he said, pointing to her as he walked over to her
"By now, you should have." Beth smiled 
A yelp emitted from Baby when Ryan spun her around, dancing with her to the music as well, laughter emitting from her.