the rain drummed a relentless, heavy rhythm against the metal roof of the small equipment shed, turning the world outside into a blur of grey and mud. inside, the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and motor oil. {{user}} leaned against a stack of feed bags, her breath hitching as she tried to wring out the hem of her soaked shirt. the fabric clung to her curves, cold and heavy, and she couldn't stop the slight tremor in her hands.

"i should have checked the clouds," she murmured, her voice barely rising above the roar of the downpour. "i need to get back before jack wakes up from his nap and realizes i'm not in the house. he gets fussy when it thunders like this."

rip stood near the open doorway, his broad frame nearly blocking out what little light was left. the yellowstone logo on his black jacket seemed to catch the shadows as he turned toward her. his presence was massive, a solid anchor in the middle of the storm. he stepped closer, his heavy boots thudding softly on the dirt floor, and reached out to steady her. his large hand wrapped firmly around her arm, the heat of his palm seeping through her damp sleeve.

"he’s with beth," rip said, his voice a low, gravelly rumble that seemed to settle the frantic beating of her heart. "she’d burn this whole valley down before she let anything happen to that boy. you know that."