Chapter Text
The fire raged behind them, but Rip wasn’t thinking about the flames anymore. His mind was already miles ahead, calculating. Someone had done this deliberately. Someone had picked this night, this spot, and made their move.
Kayce sat rigid in the saddle beside him, his eyes fixed on the burned path ahead. “You think this is just some idiot tryin’ to make trouble, or you think it’s bigger than that?”
Rip exhaled sharply, the smell of scorched earth thick in his nose. “We find out who did it, then we’ll know.”
Kayce gave a short nod, pulling his reins to turn his horse back toward the others. “Let’s get this thing contained first. Then we’ll start askin’ questions.”
They galloped back to the fire line where the wranglers were still battling the blaze. Lloyd and Colby had gotten the water tanks up and running, spraying the edges while Ryan and Teeter hacked away at dry brush, clearing a break to stop the flames from spreading.
Rip jumped off his horse and took a bucket of water from Walker, dumping it over a smoldering patch of grass before grabbing a shovel and digging in. He worked fast, side by side with the others, his mind turning over every possible enemy they had.
Who the hell would be this bold?
The fire started to die down after an hour of relentless effort, the combined force of the crew finally pushing it back. The worst of it was out, but the damage was done. Acres of grazing land were scorched.
Rip wiped sweat from his forehead, scanning the destruction. “We’re gonna need to check the herd in the morning,” he muttered to Lloyd. “Make sure none of the cattle got caught up in it.”
Lloyd nodded, still catching his breath. “We’re lucky the wind didn’t shift the other way. Could’ve lost half the damn pasture.”
Rip exhaled, glancing toward Kayce, who was already walking the perimeter, scanning the ground.
“We find tracks?” Rip asked, stepping up beside him.
Kayce crouched down, shining his flashlight on the dirt. “Footprints, tire tracks… someone parked out here, walked in with the gas.” He stood up, dusting off his hands. “They knew exactly what they were doin’.”
Rip’s jaw tightened. “Yeah. And now we gotta figure out who.”
The night was settling again, the last embers flickering out, the smell of burnt grass hanging in the air.
Rip turned back to the wranglers. “Alright, pack it in. We’ll check everything at first light.”
The men nodded, exhausted but still on edge. They knew what this meant.
Trouble was coming.
Rip climbed back onto his horse, riding back to the barn with Kayce. They didn’t speak much, just let the sound of hoofbeats and the occasional howl of the wind fill the silence.
When they reached the barn, Rip swung down from his saddle and exhaled.
“You gonna tell Beth?” Kayce asked.
Rip huffed. “What do you think?”
Kayce smirked. “Yeah, she’ll find out one way or another.”
Rip ran a hand down his face. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Kayce chuckled, but there was no real humor in it. “Get some sleep, Rip.”
Rip didn’t answer. He just watched as his brother-in-law walked off into the dark, the weight of the night heavy on both of them.
The lodge was dark when Rip stepped inside, the warmth of the house a stark contrast to the cold burn of smoke clinging to his clothes. He moved quietly, toeing off his boots by the door and shaking the soot from his hat before setting it down.
The house was still, save for the faintest creak of the old wood beneath his steps. He glanced toward the living room where Evie’s blanket sat near the couch, his mind wandering to his girls upstairs.
Rip ran a hand down his face, exhaustion creeping in, but his mind was still turning over everything from the night. Who the hell would be bold enough to set a fire on the yellowstone ranch? And why?
He was halfway up the stairs when he heard Beth’s voice, low and sharp. “Where the hell have you been?”
He paused at the top step, looking toward their bedroom. Beth stood in the doorway, arms crossed, wearing one of his old t-shirts, her hair tousled from sleep. But there was no sleep in her eyes—just that sharp, dangerous edge that let him know she wasn’t in the mood for bullshit.
Rip sighed, stepping toward her. “There was a fire in the south pasture.”
Beth’s eyes narrowed. “And no one thought to wake me the fuck up?”
Rip gave her a look. “Beth, you got a baby sleepin’ in that room. I wasn’t about to drag you out into the middle of a fire.”
Beth clenched her jaw, looking past him like she was debating whether to take a swing at him or let it go. She settled on a middle ground—grabbing him by the front of his jacket and yanking him inside the room before shutting the door.
She ran her hands up his chest, then down his arms, checking him for burns, cuts, anything. When she didn’t find any, she exhaled, stepping back. “How bad?”
Rip shrugged out of his jacket, tossing it onto a chair. “We got it contained. Lost some grazing land. We’ll know more in the morning.”
Beth studied him, then her eyes narrowed. “And?”
Rip sighed, scrubbing a hand over his beard. “And someone set it on purpose.”
Beth stilled. “You sure?”
Rip nodded. “Kayce found gas cans. Footprints. Whoever it was, they knew what they were doin’.”
Beth’s fingers twitched at her side, that deep, simmering anger flickering beneath the surface. “You got suspects?”
Rip shook his head. “Not yet. But we will.”
Beth exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. She turned toward the bassinet where Evie lay, sleeping soundly, her tiny chest rising and falling.
Beth leaned over, brushing a finger across Evie’s cheek. “She doesn’t know it yet, but some son of a bitch just made a real big mistake.”
Rip smirked, stepping behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Yeah, they did.”
Beth turned in his arms, looking up at him. “You talk to my dad yet?”
Rip shook his head. “Tried callin’. He still ain’t pickin’ up.”
Beth clenched her jaw. “Somethin’ about this ain’t sittin’ right.”
Rip nodded. “Yeah. We’ll figure it out.”
Beth studied him for a moment before reaching up and cupping his face, her thumbs brushing against the stubble on his jaw. “Go shower. You smell like a goddamn fire.”
Rip chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Yes, ma’am.”
He stepped away, grabbing fresh clothes from the dresser. As he moved toward the bathroom, Beth watched him go, her arms crossed, her mind already working.
Something was happening.
And if someone thought they could come after this ranch—after her family—
They were about to learn what a real storm looked like.
………………………..
The lodge was still wrapped in the early morning hush, the sky outside just starting to lighten with streaks of pale blue and gray. Beth sat on the couch, one leg tucked under her, a cup of coffee in one hand, Evie latched and nursing quietly against her.
Rip sat in the chair across from her, a fresh cup of coffee in his hand, looking exhausted but alert. Kayce leaned against the arm of the couch, arms crossed, his expression as serious as ever.
The fire was still fresh in all their minds.
“So, what’s the plan?” Kayce asked, breaking the silence.
Rip exhaled, rubbing his thumb along the handle of his mug. “We’ll ride out at first light, check for more signs of whoever set it. Won’t be hard to track ‘em if they left anything behind.”
Beth sighed, taking a slow sip of coffee. “Whoever it is, they either have balls the size of Texas, or they’re just plain stupid.”
Kayce nodded. “Or both.”
Beth smirked. “Yeah, well, either way, they’ll regret it.”
Rip’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, but before he could reach for it, Beth’s phone started ringing in her lap.
She glanced down. John.
“Finally,” she muttered, swiping to answer. “Well, well, look who decided to check in.”
John’s voice came through the line, steady but just a little too neutral. “Mornin’, Beth.”
Beth arched a brow. “Mornin’? You mean the one you weren’t here for?”
John sighed. “Told you I was away on business.”
Beth took another sip of coffee, narrowing her eyes. “Yeah? And what business is that exactly?”
There was a pause. “Just takin’ care of things.”
Beth smirked. “Uh-huh. You’re bein’ evasive, daddy.”
John chuckled, but there was something in his tone—something too measured. “I’m not bein’ evasive.”
Beth tilted her head, shifting Evie slightly. “Are you with a woman?”
Another pause.
Beth’s smirk deepened. “Oh, that’s interesting.”
John sighed. “Beth—”
Beth let out a laugh. “Jesus, Daddy. If you wanted a night off, you could’ve just said so.”
“I don’t need to answer to you, Beth,” John said, but there was no bite to it.
Beth just shook her head, still amused. “Fine, keep your secrets. But while you were out taking care of things, we had a little excitement back here.”
John’s tone sharpened. “What happened?”
Beth leaned forward, her amusement fading. “Fire in the south pasture. Someone set it.”
Silence.
Then John’s voice, low and serious. “How bad?”
Beth sighed, shifting Evie one last time before detaching her and reaching for a burp cloth. “The guys put it out, but we lost grazing land. Kayce and Rip found gas cans. It wasn’t an accident.”
John cursed under his breath. “Put Rip on.”
Beth smirked, handing the phone over. “Yes, sir. ”
Rip took the phone, pressing it to his ear. “Yeah, John.” He listened for a second, his expression hardening. “Yeah. It was intentional. Tracks leadin’ in from the road, gas cans left behind. We’ll head out at first light and see what else we can find.”
Beth watched as Rip listened, nodding along, his jaw tightening at whatever John was saying.
Kayce glanced at Beth. “You really think he was with a woman?”
Beth smirked, taking another sip of coffee. “Don’t know. But I sure as hell got him thinking about how to answer that question.”
Kayce chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re somethin’ else.”
Beth winked. “You’re just now figuring that out?”
Rip shot them both a look before focusing back on the call. “We’ll keep you updated.” He nodded once more, then handed the phone back to Beth.
John’s voice came through again. “Beth, I’ll be home soon.”
Beth exhaled. “Yeah. You better be.”
She ended the call, setting her phone back on the table before looking at Rip. “Well?”
Rip leaned back in his chair. “He’s pissed.”
Beth smirked. “Good.”
Kayce let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “What now?”
Beth rocked Evie gently, watching as her daughter’s tiny fingers curled against her chest.
“Now?” she murmured. “We wait.”
……………………..
The sun had barely begun its slow climb over the mountains when Rip, Kayce, and a handful of wranglers saddled up and rode toward the south pasture. The morning air was still thick with the scent of charred earth, the wind carrying traces of smoke long after the blaze had been put out.
Beth stood on the front porch, arms crossed, watching them go. Evie was wrapped up snug against her chest in the sling, her tiny body warm against Beth’s own. She knew Rip didn’t like her getting too involved in this side of things—at least not when she was carrying their daughter—but hell if that ever stopped her before.
John had said he’d be back soon, but “soon” wasn’t fast enough for Beth.
She turned back inside, her mind already spinning through names, through enemies, through every single person who might have a reason to make a move like this. There weren’t many stupid enough to come at the Duttons this way.
She’d find out who it was.
……………………….
The land was scarred, blackened in thick patches where the fire had eaten through the dry grass. Smoke still lingered in the air, swirling in slow curls from what remained of fence posts and brush.
Rip pulled his horse to a stop near the tree line, scanning the ground.
Kayce swung down first, crouching near the dirt where the fire had started. “Tracks,” he muttered. “Truck tires. Came in off the main road and stopped just over that ridge.”
Rip dismounted, walking over to where Kayce was pointing. Sure enough, deep ruts cut into the earth where someone had pulled in, unloaded, and walked the rest of the way in on foot.
Ryan knelt nearby, lifting something from the ground. He held it up to the light—a cigarette butt.
Rip exhaled, rolling his shoulders. “They stayed long enough to watch it burn.”
Kayce’s jaw tightened. “Who the hell does that?”
Rip met his brother-in-law’s gaze, his own dark and steady. “Somebody who wanted to send a message.”
Kayce looked out over the burned pasture, his fingers flexing against his belt. “You think this is about the ranch?”
Rip glanced down at the cigarette, at the tire tracks leading away. “We don’t have accidents on this land, Kayce. We have enemies.”
Kayce let out a breath, standing back up. “Then we need to figure out which one it was.”
Rip nodded. “And fast.”
Lloyd rode up then, his face set in that hard, unreadable way it always was when he smelled trouble. “This wasn’t no random fire.”
Rip sighed. “Yeah, we figured that out.”
Lloyd gestured toward the tree line. “I rode out about a half mile, found another set of tracks leadin’ off. Whoever did this, they knew how to get in and out without being seen.”
Kayce cursed under his breath. “We need to find ‘em before they try somethin’ worse.”
Rip nodded, his hand tightening around the reins. He had a bad feeling about this one—bad enough that it sat deep in his gut like a stone.
He turned back toward the others. “Alright, we follow the tracks. Whoever did this is gonna be expectin’ us to let it go.”
Lloyd smirked. “They must not know us very well.”
Rip pulled himself back into the saddle. “Then let’s go introduce ourselves.”
With that, they rode out, the morning sun casting long shadows over the burned land behind them.
And the hunt began.
………………………
Beth paced in the study, her phone pressed to her ear. She had tried calling John again—twice. Still nothing.
“Goddamn it, Daddy,” she muttered, clicking off the call and setting her phone down harder than necessary.
Evie fussed against her chest, and Beth immediately softened, shifting her daughter slightly and rubbing a hand over her back. “I know, baby. Your granddaddy’s bein’ a pain in my ass.”
There was a knock at the door, and Jason stuck his head in. “Uh, Beth? There’s someone here to see you.”
Beth frowned. “Who?”
Jason hesitated. “A man named Cooper Kirkland.”
Beth stilled. Cooper Kirkland. The corporate snake who had been sniffing around about Jamie just days ago.
Her jaw tightened, and she glanced down at Evie. This was not the kind of meeting she wanted to have with her daughter strapped to her chest.
But hell if she was about to be intimidated in her own damn home.
She adjusted the sling slightly, making sure Evie was snug and secure, then looked back at Jason.
“Bring him in.”
Beth stood behind her desk, Evie nestled against her chest, her tiny breaths warm through the fabric of the sling. She didn’t bother sitting down—sitting made it look like this was a goddamn negotiation, and she wasn’t in the business of negotiating with men like Kirkland.
The door opened, and Jason stepped aside to let Cooper in.
He looked exactly as she imagined—tailored suit, hair slicked back, the kind of smile that came from never hearing the word no in his life. He walked in like he owned the place, like he had been invited instead of showing up unannounced.
Beth arched a brow. “You lost?”
Kirkland smirked, adjusting his cufflinks. “Not at all. I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d pay you a visit.”
Beth exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “See, that’s your first mistake. No one just stops by for a casual chat. So why don’t you quit wastin’ my time and get to the part where you tell me why you’re really here.”
Kirkland glanced down at Evie. “I see congratulations are in order.”
Beth’s expression didn’t change. “Yeah, and I see you’re full of shit. Get to the point.”
Kirkland chuckled, unfazed, and slid his hands into his pockets. “I need to find Jamie.”
Beth’s eyes darkened, her body going rigid. “And I need my father to answer his goddamn phone. Looks like we’re both out of luck.”
Kirkland studied her for a moment, his head tilting slightly. “You really don’t know where he is?”
Beth scoffed. “You think I’d be standing here dealing with you if I did?”
Kirkland’s smirk wavered just slightly before he exhaled, nodding. “Alright, Beth. I’ll be straight with you.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Jamie and I had an arrangement. One that I fully expect to be honored.”
Beth’s stomach coiled, but she didn’t let it show. She kept her expression bored, indifferent, like she wasn’t already dissecting every word that came out of his mouth.
“See, that’s the thing about arrangements,” she drawled. “They only work when both parties are still… active .”
Kirkland’s gaze sharpened. “He was working on something big. Something that doesn’t just disappear because he does.”
Beth smirked. “Well, that depends. If it was illegal, unethical, or just plain stupid? Then yeah, it disappears real quick.”
Kirkland’s jaw tightened. “Beth.”
She tsked, shaking her head. “You comin’ here tells me a whole hell of a lot, Kirkland. It tells me Jamie didn’t tell you a goddamn thing before he fell off the face of the earth. It tells me whatever deal you made with him? You don’t have a backup plan.”
Kirkland stared at her, silent.
Beth grinned. “And that tells me you’re nervous .”
He exhaled sharply, his tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Beth.”
Beth leaned forward, voice lowering to something lethal. “Listen asshole, you showed up to my house. That means you are playin’ in my game.”
Kirkland didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked down at Evie again, something unreadable passing through his expression. “You’ve got a lot to lose now.”
Beth didn’t blink. “And so do you.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Kirkland exhaled, rolling his shoulders back. “Alright. Have it your way.” He straightened his suit jacket, smoothing out the fabric. “If you hear from Jamie, tell him he’s got unfinished business.”
Beth tilted her head, her smirk sharp. “And if I don’t?”
Kirkland’s eyes flicked to hers, steady and unblinking. “Then I guess we’ll see what happens next.”
Beth smiled. “Oh, I’m countin’ on it.”
Kirkland nodded once, then turned on his heel and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.
Jason hovered in the hallway, looking like he’d just walked into a damn war zone. “Uh… should I be worried?”
Beth exhaled, rubbing Evie’s back absentmindedly. “Only if that son of a bitch thinks he can come back here again.”
Jason nodded quickly. “Right.”
Beth sighed, glancing down at her daughter, still sleeping peacefully against her chest. Ignorance really was bliss.
She needed to talk to Rip. Needed to tell him exactly what the hell just walked through their door.
And she needed to find her father.
………………………..
Beth watched the door for a long moment after Kirkland left, her mind running in overdrive. Unfinished business, my ass. Jamie was tangled in something deep—deeper than she’d realized—and now the mess was landing at her feet.
She exhaled sharply, pressing a kiss to Evie’s head before adjusting the sling and heading toward the kitchen. She needed Rip.
She found him at the stove, frying eggs in a cast-iron skillet like it was any other morning and not like the world was tilting off its axis.
“Hey, mama,” he said without looking up. “You eat yet?”
Beth pulled out a chair, dropping into it with a sigh. “Had a nice little breakfast with an old friend.”
Rip glanced over his shoulder. “That right?”
Beth smirked, but there was no real humor in it. “Cooper Kirkland.”
Rip stilled for a beat before flipping the eggs onto a plate and turning fully toward her. “He came here ?”
Beth nodded, bouncing Evie gently as she fussed against her chest. “Came sniffing around, looking for Jamie. Said they had an ‘arrangement.’”
Rip set the plate down and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “What kind of arrangement?”
Beth shook her head. “Didn’t get into specifics. Just that whatever Jamie was workin’ on, Kirkland expects it to be honored.” She exhaled sharply. “I don’t know if it’s some corporate bullshit or something worse, but he was pissed that Jamie’s gone dark.”
Rip’s jaw clenched. “You think he knows what happened?”
Beth tilted her head. “He knows something’s happened. Whether or not he knows Jamie’s six feet under is a different story.”
Rip studied her for a long moment. “You tell him anything?”
Beth rolled her eyes. “Please. I let him run his mouth and let him know that if he keeps knockin’ on my door, he’s gonna regret it.”
Rip smirked slightly at that, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He pushed off the counter, pacing slightly. “We need to find out what the hell Jamie got himself into.”
Beth exhaled. “Yeah, well, you better add that to the list. Right after we figure out who the hell tried to burn our land to the ground.”
Rip glanced out the window, where the horizon was still tainted with faint trails of smoke from the fire. “You think it’s connected?”
Beth shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. But it’s a whole lotta coincidence.”
Rip nodded slowly, then grabbed his hat off the hook. “I’ll talk to Kayce, see what else we found on the fire.”
Beth leaned back in her chair, adjusting Evie as she nuzzled into her chest. “My dad will show up soon enough, and when he does, I’m getting my answers on where he was last night. You and Kayce keep diggin’ on the fire. And as for Kirkland?”
Rip arched a brow.
Beth’s smirk turned sharp. “I’m gonna make his life a living hell. ”
Rip chuckled, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. “Wouldn’t expect anything less, sweetheart.”
Rip grabbed his hat and headed out, and Beth watched him go, her mind still turning.
She looked down at Evie, brushing her fingers over her daughter’s soft cheek. “We’ll get it figured out, baby girl.”
……………………………..
The sound of John’s truck rolling up the gravel drive was Beth’s first warning.
She was sitting at her desk in the study, Evie in her lap, casually sipping coffee like she hadn’t been planning this exact conversation all damn day.
The door creaked open, boots heavy against the floorboards as John stepped inside. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “Where’s Rip?”
Beth smirked. “Hello to you too, Daddy.”
John shot her a look but didn’t take the bait. “Fire. What do we know?”
Beth leaned back, bouncing Evie gently. “Rip and Kayce followed the tracks. Someone parked off the road, walked in, and set the blaze. Left gas cans behind like a goddamn calling card.”
John exhaled through his nose, pulling off his hat and setting it on the table. “And we don’t know who?”
Beth shook her head. “Not yet. But we will.”
John nodded, jaw tight. He looked exhausted—like the weight of it all had settled just a little deeper into his bones. But before he could press for more details, Beth tilted her head and grinned.
“Now that we’ve got the boring stuff outta the way…” She set her coffee down, leveling him with a look. “Who was she?”
John sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Beth.”
Beth’s grin widened. “Oh, don’t ‘Beth’ me. You know I’m not letting this go.”
John shook his head. “There’s nothin’ to talk about.”
Beth tsked, shifting Evie to her other arm. “If there was nothing to talk about, you’d have answered my damn question this morning.”
John rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Beth, I don’t have time for this.”
Beth arched a brow. “No? Well, I do. And since I’m the one who kept this family together while you were off—” She gasped dramatically. “Oh, my God. You were with Lynelle. ”
John didn’t confirm it. He didn’t have to. The silence was answer enough.
Beth laughed, shaking her head. “Jesus Christ, Daddy. You could’ve just said so.”
John sighed, pulling out a chair and dropping into it. “It ain’t like that.”
Beth rolled her eyes. “Oh, sure. You just happened to be on business at the same exact time she was in town?”
John’s silence stretched a little too long.
Beth smirked, rocking Evie gently. “Y’know, I never figured you for the type to sneak around like a damn teenager.”
John shot her a look. “I’m not sneakin’ around.”
Beth leaned forward. “Then why didn’t you answer my question this morning?”
John exhaled, shaking his head. “Because it’s none of your damn business. ”
Beth clutched her chest dramatically. “Oh, Daddy, that hurts. ”
John grumbled something under his breath and reached for his hat.
Beth grinned. “I think it’s sweet. You and Lynelle, sneakin’ off like a couple of kids.”
John shook his head, pushing his chair back. “Are we done here?”
Beth smirked, letting him think he had won. “For now.”
John stood, hat in hand, but paused just before walking out. He looked back at Beth, softer this time. “I’m serious, Beth. This fire—this shit happening on our land—it’s not somethin’ to take lightly.”
Beth nodded, her smirk fading just slightly. “I know.”
John exhaled, giving her one last look before heading for the door.
Beth watched him go, shaking her head with amusement. Then she looked down at Evie, brushing her fingers over her daughter’s cheek.
“Well, baby girl,” she murmured, “looks like your granddaddy’s got himself a love life.”
Evie blinked up at her, completely unimpressed.
Beth chuckled, reaching for her coffee again. “Yeah, I think it’s weird too.”