Wednesday
The beginning of the sunrise peeking over the mountains was what woke Rip first. Shuffling around, he heard a groan coming from his side. As he turned to look he smiled at the sight of Spencer grumbling and trying to move further into his warmth. He chuckled at the girl as he brushed her hair from her face.
"I gotta go Darlin'," he whispered to her, knowing he needed to be out of the house before her father was awake.
Spencer grumbled something about wanting coffee before fully waking up. She looked up to see Rip leaning against her headboard, a sleepy smile growing on his face.
"Morning," she groaned as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. 28 years of waking early and she still wasn't a morning person.
"I'll see you soon," was all Rip said before sneaking out the window.
Rip's methods of getting out of her room always made Spencer laugh. Mostly because he was a fully grown man sneaking around like a teenager. But she couldn't laugh too much based on the antics she had pulled trying to get back into her room on numerous occasions over the past year.
A full minute later Spencer's alarm began to ring, sending the girl into another round of groans. As much as she loved the ranch life, she was less enthralled with how early it had to start. Cursing under her breath she finally got up, popping into her bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth before getting dressed. One thing on the ranch she liked was that she rarely had to dress to impress, meaning day-old unwashed jeans would be more than acceptable that morning. Spencer pulled a hat from the rack, precariously placing it on her head as she walked down the stairs braiding her hair back.
The only other person awake in the house was her father, although he was quick to leave after grunting a good morning at his daughter. Spencer only shook her shoulders in quiet laughter at her father as she poured a cup of coffee for herself, looking around before dropping a spoonful of sugar into it. Black coffee was never something she could get behind, hard as she tried in her early adult years. But she didn't tell anyone, mastering the art of sneaking a pack or two of sugar into her coffee whenever she could.
The barn was in the process of waking up as well, Lee and other wranglers prepping horses to move the cattle around the ranch that day. Spencer had gotten lucky for the day, her father asking her to work with a group of ladies who wanted the 'real ranch experience'. Spencer was sure they would be heartily disappointed when they realized she was their instructor, not a young male. Luckily enough, however, the group wasn't going to be there until later in the morning, giving Spencer plenty of time to get the horses ready.
As she walked into the barn, she shared a smile with Rip who sent her a wink, sending a bloom of blush across her cheeks. Walking up to Rebel's stall, she greeted her horse good morning before a cough from behind her caught Spencer's attention.
"Why the hell did I see Rip standing on your roof this morning?" Lloyd asked, loud enough to make Spencer look back and forth to make sure no one was there.
"I have no idea what you're talking about Lloyd."
"Bullshit. What's going on Buck?"
"Nothing! Look I gotta prep the horses." Lloyd gave Spencer a knowing look. "I promise Lloyd, you know you're the first person I'd tell, right?"
"Yeah, yeah," he waved a hand at the girl before shaking his head. He didn't really believe Spencer, but he knew when to just let something go. Which was something Spencer loved about the older man, but she knew he'd be back sooner rather than later to poke some more.
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Spencer almost laughed when the group of older women arrived, watching their faces drop momentarily when they found out Spencer was a girl. Just like she had expected. But she promised them all the boys would be coming in before the end of their lesson, and they looked much better then. That seemed to encourage the ladies to do their best.
As the session was winding to an end, the ranch hands slowly began to come back across to the barn, smiling and waving at the wolf whistles from the women. Lee even had his horse trot around in spins, showing off per usual. Spencer rolled her eyes but laughed at her brother's antics. She went to start packing up the saddles and tacks, but the sound of her phone ringing caught her attention.
"To what do I owe pleasure Big Brother?" Spencer laughed as she greeted Kayce with her question. He had never let her live down that he was three minutes older when they were kids, she decided to carry it forward into their adult years.
"Do you have a minute to talk?"
"Course. What's wrong?" Kayce never called during the day unless something was wrong.
Kayce paused on the other end of the line, Spencer hearing him mutter for a minute before speaking. "Dad stopped by this morning, all bent outta shape since we won't let him see Tate. Has he said anything to you?"
"No, but we both know that Daddy isn't getting any younger," Spencer noted, Kayce laughing at her words. "I don't think it would be bad for anyone to have Tate around. And I'm sure Tate would have fun. I know it's something for you and Mon to talk about, but for whatever worth my word has, I think you should bring him around."
"He wanted nothing to do with Tate before," Kayce reminded his sister.
Spencer scoffed, "I know this may come as a shock to you Kayce, but people change. You can embrace that and bring Tate or keep hiding out on the reservation. That choice is yours though."
Spencer hung up, slightly irritated with her brother. Kayce had been the one who could become one-track minded very quickly, narrowing in on one aspect of the big picture. Spencer was different, looking at everything as a whole, making the twins argue quite a lot growing up. But she paid for his mistakes just like he paid for hers, and it seemed he still hadn't grown up.
"Spence you done?" Rip asked as he walked over from behind the girl, chuckling when she jumped a little.
Once Spencer turned to see Rip she nodded, following after him to one of the trucks. The brand was sitting in the front seat, and Spencer gulped. That was never a good sign.
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Spencer and Rip had gotten to Jimmy Hurdstrom's shithole of a trailer within the hour. Rip stepped aside, letting Spencer go first, a tactic they had developed over the years. Most people the pair dealt with seemed to relax more at the sight of a pretty girl than Rip's cold stare. This time was no different, as Jimmy smiled lazily at the girl once he opened the door at her knock.
"You Jimmy?" She asked, smiling sweetly at him. Jimmy was at a loss for words as he stared at Spencer. "Jimmy Hurdstrom, right?"
Rip laughed quietly as Jimmy nodded, the only form of communication he was reduced to in Spencer's sight. The laugh grabbed Jimmy's attention, making his smile drop immediately.
"I believe she asked you a question," Rip said, pushing his way past both of them and inside, "Good, you're alone. Let's go Darlin'."
Jimmy turned back to Spencer, her dripping sweet smile still on her face as Rip pushed a taser into Jimmy's back, knocking him out. Spencer got to work warming up the brand over the stove while Rip tied Jimmy up. And then they waited.
It wasn't uncommon for John to send both Rip and Spencer to do whatever dirty work the ranch needed. Sometime after Spencer had been branded, she had fallen in stride with Rip, earning herself quite the name to go with the notorious Rip Wheeler of Yellowstone. The Beauty and her Beast, some lowlife they had dealt with once, had called the pair, which only made Spencer laugh.
The brand was fully warmed up at that point, which sent Spencer over to Jimmy with a glass full of water to wake him up. He woke with a start, almost falling over in the chair if Spencer hadn't steadied him.
"You're a two-time loser, Jimmy," Rip spoke, calm and even, which made Jimmy just as scared as the redhead standing over him. "One more felony and you're done. But I think you'd go alright in prison, got the lips for it"
Spencer laughed, "He'd do just fine I'm sure."
"You're either a king or a servant in this place," Jimmy retorted, "And I ain't nobody's servant."
"Aw, honey, you sure as hell ain't a king either," Spencer whispered as she circled around him, "You're a good for nothing thief."
It was then that Rip walked over with the brand, as Spencer pushed Jimmy's shoulders against the back of the chair. He started to squirm, trying to get away from both of them but failing miserably.
"Fucking psychos! Wait!" Jimmy yelled as the brand was just an inch from his skin. He could feel the heat radiating off of it, making him even more jumpy. That set Rip off.
"Jimmy, you got two choices," Rip leaned close to Jimmy, looking him square in the eye, "One, I take you and your shit down to the police and be done with this shit. Two, you take it like a man and prove you deserve another chance. I don't think you do, but that ain't up to me."
"Why would John Dutton give a shit about me?"
"He doesn't," Spencer answered, "But he will."
Rip popped the button of his shirt open, displaying his own brand. Jimmy then turned to Spencer, waiting as if to see hers. She turned to Rip who nodded once, and she stood up, facing away from both men. Quickly Spencer undid the top few buttons of her own shirt, pulling it down past her shoulders to reveal the scarred Y between her shoulder blades. She heard Rip talking to Jimmy again, and so she buttoned herself back up as the distinct sound of sizzling skin could be heard.
"We'll see you Monday Jimmy," she spoke as she walked toward the door, "Don't be late."
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Thursday
Rip and Spencer had arrived back late that night, sneaking kisses in the truck since the rest of the ranch was asleep. At some point, however, they did have to sleep, Rip had reminded Spencer, before sending her off to bed. She had nodded to Jamie when she entered, who had been too busy pouring over paperwork for something called Paradise Valley that Spencer had yet to hear of.
In the morning, Spencer woke to a knock on her door, her father stepping into the room after a moment. She sat up, sending him a questioning look.
"I need you to do something for me," John stated as he sat down at the foot of Spencer's bed.
"Anything."
John smiled at that, patting Spencer's knee. Beside Lee, Spencer was probably the most loyal child John had, dropping everything to do whatever he needed. "Paradise Valley. They need a lounge singer, I want that to be you."
"I thought we didn't like them."
John nodded, "We don't. But I need eyes and ears, can you do that?"
"Of course Daddy. Whatever you need."
John smiled as he stood, pressing a kiss to his daughter's forehead. "Thank you Tiny. Auditions are later today. Oh, and use your truck, don't need you getting kicked out before you walk in the door."
Spencer nodded, waving to her father as he closed the door. Looking at the time, she decided there was no better time to get prepped than currently. She got up, showering and changing into something more presentable than her work clothes, before grabbing her guitar case and heading downstairs.
"Where are you going?" Beth asked as she looked at her younger sister, far more dressed up than usual. Hangover or not, Beth knew that Spencer didn't dress up for anything, let alone a day on the ranch.
"Have some things to do, people to see."
"Vague as always Tiny, seems you learned too much from me."
Spencer only laughed, waving toward her sister before walking out the door to drop her stuff into her truck. Ryan saw the girl, trotting his horse over at the sight of a dress on the red head.
"What the hell did you do to Spence?" he asked as he circled the girl.
Spencer deadpanned at the man, glaring at him through the sun, "Piss off Ryan. I got shit to do, okay?"
"What, you going on a date?"
Rip perked up from where he stood at that question, looking over to see Spencer and Ryan chatting. He looked the girl over once, groaning internally at the sight in front of him. Sure, he loved when Spencer was dressed down, but damn did she know how to dress up. Rip watched on as Spencer shook her head- a breath of relief pouring through him- before flipping Ryan off and getting into her truck. Like she knew Rip had been watching, she drove over to him, rolling the window down before cutting the music.
"Daddy wants eyes and ears at Paradise Valley, I'll meet you both later?"
Rip nodded, winking at the girl. "Sounds good, Darlin'. I'll see ya later."
With that Spencer nodded, rolling the window up and taking off down the driveway. She smiled brightly when she checked her phone before she pulled out onto the road. A text from Rip had come through;
You look beautiful.
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The ride to Paradise Valley hadn't taken Spencer all that long, giving her more than enough time to sit at the bar and grab a drink. Seeing as she had come alone, she opted for the last open seat, which happened to be between two different groups at the bar, giving her just enough room to sneak in and order a gin and tonic.
"See, I told you I'm not the only one that orders them!" The girl sitting next to Spencer said to the boy she was with. "You got the gin and tonic right?"
Spencer nodded, unsure of what conversation she just got brought into.
"My brother thinks it's some frilly drink I picked up in Nevada but you are my saving grace. Please, please, please tell me you're not from Nevada?" The girl continued, eyes going wide causing Spencer to laugh.
"Born and bred in Montana," the redhead chuckled as she reached her hand out to the girl, "Spencer."
"Sawyer Grace."
Sawyer's brother coughed, waiting for his sister to introduce him as he popped an eyebrow up at the blonde. "Right, and my brother, Jackson."
"Pleasure." Spencer smiled as she shook his hand, trying to stay as polite as possible. "Are you two from Nevada?'
Jackson laughed at that, "God no, our family owns Greenquest ranch."
He looked at Spencer, waiting for something. What she didn't exactly know, but it seemed Sawyer found her lack of response hysterical.
"I love you already! Jack here thinks that line will land him a lady, I told him it would only work if he said he owned Yellowstone. But I heard those sisters were real bitches."
"Beth takes a while to grow on you, I'll give you that," Spencer joked.
Sawyer coughed on her drink as she finally made the connection. She tried to apologize, but Spencer only shook her head laughing. Better to be a bitch than a pushover, she thought to herself as the three continued their conversation.
Eventually a woman came around, getting names from those who were interested in auditioning. Surprisingly to Spencer, Sawyer put her name down as well.
"Our dad wants to know a little bit more about our new neighbors," Sawyer whispered to Spencer as the woman went over the plan for the afternoon. "I have a feeling your dad feels the same?"
Spencer nodded before whispering back, "Feel like adding a partner in crime to your list?"
Sawyer chuckled but nodded, sticking a pinky out to Spencer, who gave the blonde a look. "It's a thing Jack and I do, just go with it."
The girls locked pinkies briefly, silently giggling at the elementary notion of it all. As they waited, Spencer watched for staff changes and any security, anything possible to report to her father that evening. Eventually it came time for Sawyer to go, the girl promising to text that night about meeting up soon. Spencer nodded, waving the girl and her brother off.
Lastly came Spencer, the last person who had signed up. Walking to the small stage, she noticed a few guests had gather to watch the auditions over the afternoon. She smiled, making eye contact with each of them before sitting on the stool and pulling out her guitar. With a nod from the woman in charge, Spencer began to play.
-Goodbye Summer, Danielle Bradbury-
As Spencer strummed the last chord, the guests that had gathered clapped, whispering amongst themselves about her performance.
"I think you'll be a great fit if that reaction is any guarantee," the lady in charge stated as she walked up to Spencer, "I'm Roseanne, it looks like we'll be seeing more of each other. Does Thursday next week work?"
"Absolutely," Spencer nodded as she shook the woman's hand, "Thank you so much!"
The air had chilled since Spencer had arrived, sending the girl jogging to her truck. Turning the engine over quickly, she pulled her jacket from the seat, sliding it on before taking off down the road. About a mile down the road she found her father's truck on the side of the road, both him and Rip standing with the site developer, Ron, Jamie had sent.
"Sorry I'm late," Spencer spoke as she jogged over, sending a quick look to Rip.
"Not a problem Tiny, did it go well?" John asked his daughter. Spencer nodded, bringing a smile to John's face before he turned his attention back to Ron as he continued discussing the plans for Paradise Valley.
Spencer listened, half paying attention, looking over the plans in Rip's hands. She looked up to him, smiling quickly before looking back to the plans. Rip smiled down to her as well, although he let his gaze linger, not realizing John was watching.
"So there's nothing we can do?" John asked Ron, which seemed to stir Rip from his gaze at Spencer.
"Not unless you move the river."
John turned to Spencer, who seemed to have the same idea as her father. "That could work. Do it far enough on our land, EPA won't be able to say anything if it looks like a rock slide."
"Sorry, what?" Ron asked as he looked between the Duttons.
"Don't worry, you'll understand soon," Rip laughed as he looked up into the mountains.