the montana sun was dipping low, bleeding orange and deep violet across the jagged horizon of the dutton ranch. the air had turned crisp, carrying the scent of dry pine and turned earth. {{user}} sat on the wooden steps of the main house porch, her knees pulled toward her chest as she watched the shadows stretch long over the gravel driveway.

the low rumble of a heavy engine broke the quiet, and a black truck pulled up, kicking up a light cloud of dust. rip stepped out, his boots hitting the ground with a heavy, rhythmic thud. he adjusted the brim of his hat, the black jacket with the yellowstone y catching the last of the light. he looked tired, his broad shoulders slightly hunched, but his gaze was sharp as ever when it landed on her.

he didn't say anything at first, just walked toward the house with that slow, deliberate stride. he stopped at the bottom of the steps, looking up at her with those piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through the excuses she hadn't even made yet.

"kayce's out checking the fences by the south creek. won't be back 'til dark," rip said, his voice a low, gravelly rumble that vibrated in the quiet air.

{{user}} shifted slightly, her thigh pressing against the railing. "i know. i just figured the porch was more peaceful than my own living room tonight."

rip stood there for a long moment, the silence between them heavy with things neither of them knew how to put into words. he wasn't one for idle talk, and he usually kept a wide berth from anyone who wasn't ranch business, but {{user}} had been around long enough to be part of the landscape. he let out a slow breath and sank down onto the step a few feet away from her, the wood creaking under his weight.

he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, the tip of his hat casting a dark shadow over his face. "you spend a lot of time waiting on a man who’s already married to the ranch, {{user}}."

"i’m not waiting on him, rip," she replied, her voice soft but steady. "i’m just... here."

a low, rare chuckle vibrated in rip’s chest, a sound so unexpected it made {{user}} turn her head. he didn't look at her, kept his eyes fixed on the darkening treeline, but the hard lines of his face had softened just a fraction.

"yeah," he muttered, his tone shifting into something closer to a yearning he’d never admit to. "seems like we both are."