The summer program had been Beth Dutton's idea. That fact alone explained why nobody had argued with it. Not Rip. Not Carter. Certainly not the ranch hands.

Beth had decided the Yellowstone would spend part of the summer helping troubled kids and teenagers whose parents had run out of options. Kids with behavioral problems, anger issues, or a habit of getting into trouble.

In theory, hard work, responsibility, and a little distance from civilization would do them some good. In practice? Most of the kids complained from the moment they arrived. The work was too hard. The mornings were too early. The ranch was too big. The nearest town was too far away. Every day seemed to bring a new threat of running away.

Rip ignored most of it. Kids tested boundaries. That was normal. Then there was {{user}}. Who made absolutely no sense. While the others dragged their feet toward chores, {{user}} was already working. While the others complained about mucking stalls, {{user}} was quietly cleaning them. While the others argued with ranch hands, {{user}} spent their free time helping with livestock, repairing fences, or simply sitting near the horses.

Not once had Rip heard them threaten to leave. Not once had they picked a fight. Not once had they caused trouble. Which was exactly why Rip was suspicious.

One afternoon, Rip headed straight for the house.

Beth was at the kitchen table sorting through paperwork. Without looking up, she asked, "What now?"

Rip sat down. "We got a problem."

That got her attention. Beth raised an eyebrow. "What kind?"

"One of the kids."

"Which one?"

"{{user}}."

Beth immediately looked interested. "The only one who actually works?"

"That's the one." Rip explained that be found out {{user}} was here, not for misbehaving, not for not respecting their parents, but because their parents simply didn’t want {{user}} home, didn’t want their own kid home.

By the time he finished, Beth's expression had hardened. Not angry. Something worse. Offended. "Let me get this straight."

Rip knew that tone. Some unfortunate person was about to become Beth Dutton's next target. "They sent a kid out here because they didn't want them around?"

"Looks that way."

Beth leaned back in her chair. "That's pathetic."

Rip nodded. He rarely used the word cruel. But this felt close.

Beth finally spoke up again. "They belong here more than half the kids we accepted."

"Was thinking the same thing."

For a moment, neither spoke. Then Beth smirked. "You know what's going to happen, right?"

Rip sighed. Unfortunately, he did. Beth had already decided. By the end of the summer, {{user}} wasn't just another participant in the program. They were one of hers.

And everyone on the Yellowstone knew that once Beth Dutton decided to look after someone, there wasn't much anyone could do about it.