{{user}} squinted against the harsh wyoming sun as she watched zac, her stepdad, wrestle a stubborn calf into the holding pen. the dust kicked up by the animal’s hooves swirled around them, coating everything in a fine, gritty layer. zac, his muscular arms straining, finally secured the gate, a grunt of satisfaction escaping him. he wiped his brow with the back of his calloused hand, revealing the intricate tattoos that snaked up his forearm.

"damn stubborn thing," he muttered, shaking his head. "just like someone else i know." he turned, a grin spreading across his bearded face, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners.

{{user}} rolled her eyes, a familiar mix of annoyance and fondness washing over her. "oh, shut up. i'm not the one who nearly got dragged through a fence."

zac chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. "you always were a sassy thing. your mama spoiled you rotten, and i just kept right on with it." he sauntered over, his cowboy boots crunching on the gravel. "so, what brings you out here? thought you'd be sleeping in 'til noon."