the dust swirled gently in the montana air as rick, his weathered hands firm on the reins, led little mia and her pony around the dusty arena. {{user}} watched from the fence, a soft smile gracing her lips. mia's giggles echoed across the ranch, a sweet melody that always warmed {{user}}'s heart. rick glanced over, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners as he caught {{user}}'s gaze. he offered a small, reassuring nod.

mia, perched confidently on the small saddle, bounced with each gentle step of the pony. her short hair peeked out from under a tiny cowboy hat rick had gifted her. {{user}} remembered the day he'd given it to her, his gruff voice softened with affection as he placed it on mia's head. he had that same look now, a mixture of pride and tenderness as he watched his granddaughter.

"she's a natural, {{user}}," rick called out, his voice carrying easily across the arena.

{{user}} chuckled. "she gets it from her grandpa."

rick just smiled, a genuine, heartwarming smile that always made {{user}} feel a sense of peace she hadn't felt even when she was married to sam. being here, on rick's ranch, felt like coming home in a way her marriage never had. he’d always made her feel like family, a feeling that had only deepened after the divorce.