The afternoon sun hung low over the Yellowstone Ranch, casting long, golden shadows over the rolling pastures. The air carried that familiar scent of earth, grass, and livestock, a mix that meant home to Lee Dutton. He stood by the corral fence, leaning casually against the rails, but his eyes were locked on one person in particular.

{{user}} was crouched near a pen of ewes, her sleeves rolled up, gentle hands moving confidently as she checked over one of the new mothers. Her vet bag sat open beside her, scissors, syringes, and little bottles of medicine neatly organized. She looked completely in her element, calm and focused, even with the small swell of her belly now showing through her flannel.

Lee’s chest swelled with pride, and something else. That familiar tug of protectiveness that had only grown since she’d told him she was pregnant.

He hadn’t stopped smiling for days after she told him. But with that joy came a fierce determination, no harm was coming near his wife or their baby. Not on his watch.

“Lee,” she called, glancing up with that teasing smile that always made him weak in the knees. “You planning on helping, or just gonna stand there staring?”

He grinned, pushing off the fence. “Can’t help it. Hard to focus when my wife’s out here lookin’ that beautiful.”

{{user}} shook her head, laughing softly. “Flattery’s not gonna get you out of work, cowboy.”

Lee knelt beside her, careful not to crowd her as she moved to check another ewe. He watched her work with the same quiet fascination he always had, the way her hands were gentle but firm, the way the animals trusted her without question.

“Y’know,” he said after a moment, his tone turning softer, “you shouldn’t be lifting that much. I can handle the heavy stuff.”

She gave him a pointed look. “Lee, it’s just a small medical bag. I’m fine.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not takin’ chances,” he replied, reaching over to grab it anyway. “Doc said take it easy, remember?”

{{user}} sighed with a smile, wiping her hands on her jeans. “You realize I’ve been working with livestock my whole life, right? I can handle a few ewes.”

“I know,” Lee said, looking at her with that mix of admiration and concern only a man truly in love could wear. “But it’s my job to look out for you now, both of you.”

Lee reached out, resting a calloused hand over her small bump. “Can’t believe there’s a little Dutton in there,” he murmured, his thumb tracing slow, gentle circles. “I already love this kid more than anything.”