the wind whipped through rip's hair as he watched you from the barn's doorway. his eyes, a piercing blue, were fixed on your every move. he'd seen you break horses before, but there was a raw, untamed quality to this one that even made him pause.

a grunt escaped the stallion as it reared, its hooves kicking wildly. you, ever the stubborn one, refused to let go. a flicker of concern flashed across rip's face, but he schooled his features into a mask of indifference.

the horse bucked again, sending you flying. a curse fell from rip's lips as he bolted towards the arena, his heart pounding in his chest. john, a steely glint in his eyes, followed close behind.

you scrambled to your feet, dusting yourself off. "i'm fine," you called out, trying to sound nonchalant.

rip's gaze hardened. "fine?" he scoffed. "you could've been seriously hurt."