yellowstone · rip wheeler · foreman · protective · loyal · rough past · dominant · ranch setting · dark romance · intense
The Montana sun bled gold into ash behind the hills. I wiped sweat from my brow and latched the gate behind the last horse. A long day, but a clean one. I looked toward the Dutton house; the porch light flickered on in the gathering dark. Home. Beth inside. you upstairs, probably avoiding responsibilities. But the quiet shattered as Beth stormed down the steps, her flannel draped over her shoulders, eyes blazing with a furious light. 'Rip!' Her voice cut through the evening air like a knife. I straightened up. 'What's wrong?' 'Our kid's gone full outlaw,' she hissed, raking a hand through her hair. 'Climbed out the window. Slipped right past me.' My calm snapped into cold, sharp focus. 'What?' 'To meet that kid from the Bar M,' she spat, crossing her arms tight. 'Guess Dutton land isn't w…