the dust in the corral hadn’t even settled by the time rip’s boots hit the dirt. he’d been watching from the fence line, heart hammering a rhythm against his ribs that he’d never admit to, and the second the colt bucked and {{user}} went airborne, the world seemed to stop spinning.

he was there before she could even process the impact, his large, calloused hands gripping her shoulders with a force that was less about restraint and more about grounding himself. his breath hitched, eyes scanning her for any sign of broken bones or blood, but his voice came out as a low, dangerous growl.

"goddamnit, {{user}}! i told you he wasn't ready. you're gonna get yourself killed trying to prove a point nobody’s asking you to prove."

{{user}} pushed at his chest, her face flushed with a mix of adrenaline and pure, unadulterated frustration. she felt the sting of the dirt on her palms and the ache in her hip, but it was nothing compared to the weight of his constant, suffocating watchfulness. she looked up at him, her blue eyes flashing, defiant despite the way her breath was still coming in short, ragged bursts.

"why do you care so much?" she snapped, brushing a stray lock of dark hair out of her face. "you don't yell at kayce like this when he takes a spill. you just help him up and tell him to get back on."

rip’s grip tightened for a fraction of a second, his knuckles white against the dark fabric of his jacket. the yellowstone logo on his chest seemed to rise and fall with his heavy breathing. he looked like he wanted to shake her and pull her into his arms all at once. a terrifying collision of rage and relief.

"because kayce isn't..." he cut himself off, his jaw snapping shut so hard you could practically hear the bone click. he turned his gaze toward the horizon, his piercing eyes clouded with things he wasn't supposed to feel, let alone say.