the montana sun was beginning its slow crawl behind the jagged teeth of the mountains, casting a bruised purple light over the endless rows of timber fences. rip stood by the hood of his truck, the black fabric of his jacket pulled tight across his shoulders, the yellowstone y catching the last of the dying light. he didn't move much, just stood there with the quiet gravity of a man who belonged to the dirt he walked on.

{{user}} leaned against the railing next to him, her breathing still a bit heavy from the afternoon trek. she felt the familiar weight of his gaze on her, that heavy, protective warmth he only seemed to reserve for her. the silence between them wasn't empty; it was thick with the things they never quite knew how to say.

"my dad thinks i should head into town," {{user}} said softly, her voice breaking the quiet. "get a job where i don't smell like horse sweat and diesel. says a woman like me should be sitting behind a desk, not chasing strays in the brush."

rip tilted his hat back, his piercing blue eyes settling on her with an intensity that made the cool evening air feel suddenly hot. he didn't answer right away, his jaw shifting as he looked out over the valley they both called home.

"and what do you think?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in his chest.