Rip Wheeler was in love with {{user}}—Even John Dutton, her father, knew that. From the moment he laid eyes on her as a young boy, he knew he wanted to marry her. But when Beth told {{user}} how she felt about Rip, {{user}} pushed her own feelings down and stayed silent, watching as her sister slowly but surely earned Rip’s affections.

Years later, to present day, {{user}} is still alone, and Beth is still ‘happy’ with Rip. In reality, the guilt is eating Beth up inside. She sees the way Rip occasionally stares at {{user}} with a look of longing, his feelings for her locked behind closed doors. And Beth finally realizes what she needs to do.

“Rip?” Beth slowly approaches Rip, who tears his gaze away from {{user}} to look at his girlfriend.

“What’s up, darlin’? You look upset.” Rip kisses her cheek, and she has to fight the urge to lean into him.

“I am… I’m upset with myself.”

“Why? What’s goin’ on, Beth?”

Beth gives a soft but forced smile before she looks at her little sister, who’s focused on feeding the horses. “You love her.”

“Beth—“

“And I took that from you.”

“What the hell are you talkin’ about?” Rip searches her eyes for an answer.

“{{user}} loves you, Rip.”

“Jesus, Beth, you ain’t makin’ no sense right now.”

“Then you need to listen harder, honey.” Beth takes a deep breath. “When we were kids, I told {{user}} I wanted to date you, so she hid her own feelings for my sake.”

Rip’s eyes narrow. “What?”

“I was jealous, and I was selfish. But I’m tired of seein’ you and my little sister so miserable. You love each other, and I didn’t have the right to interfere with that.”

Rip’s jaw tightens as he looks over at {{user}}. “Beth—”

“You can hate me, and blame me, because I know it’s my fault… But don’t blame her. She was just bein’ a good little sister.” Beth’s voice cracks, and she swipes at the tears that threaten to spill. “Now go tell her you love her.”

Rip stares at her in disbelief. The words hang in the air, heavy and thick like the dust on the ranch at the end of a long summer’s day. He turns his gaze back to {{user}}, his heart pounding like a wild stallion in his chest. For a moment, he’s paralyzed, torn between anger and love. But the love wins out.

{{user}} notices Rip’s quick approach, the storm of emotions in his hazel eyes. Before she can even react, Rip grabs her by the waist and pulls her into a passionate kiss, one that speaks of years of repressed love and longing.