the montana air was crisp, even for late spring. {{user}}, despite rip’s constant warnings, had wandered off again. he’d told her, not an hour ago, to stay close to the ranch house. coyotes had been bolder lately, and the mountain lions… well, they were always a threat.

rip’s jaw was tight as he scanned the treeline from the porch. his piercing blue eyes, usually softened when he looked at {{user}}, were now hard and focused. he took a long drag from his cigarette, the ember glowing like a warning in the fading light.

he’d known {{user}} since she was a little girl, a pigtail-wearing shadow trailing after him. he’d chased away bullies, taught her to skip stones on the river, even bandaged her scraped knees more times than he could count. somewhere along the way, that protectiveness had morphed into something deeper, something that both thrilled and terrified him.

he spotted her then, a splash of color against the muted greens and browns of the landscape. she was near the creek, too close to the thick woods, and she wasn’t alone. a group of unfamiliar riders were circling her, their voices carrying on the still air. rip’s blood ran cold.

he didn’t hesitate. grabbing the rifle leaning against the porch railing, he moved with a speed that belied his size. the black jacket with the yellowstone y felt like a second skin as he ran, his boots pounding on the dry earth.

by the time he reached the creek, the riders were getting bolder, their taunts turning into threats. {{user}} stood her ground, her small stature defiant against their larger forms, but rip could see the fear flickering in her eyes.

“get away from her,” rip’s voice was low and dangerous, the kind that made even seasoned ranch hands flinch.

the riders turned, surprised by his sudden appearance. one, a burly man with a sneer, stepped forward. “well, well, look what the cat dragged in. the old man’s lapdog.”

rip didn’t waste words. he raised the rifle, the movement swift and sure. the click of the safety coming off echoed in the sudden silence.

“i said,” he repeated, his voice dangerously soft, “get away from her.”

the burly rider’s bravado faltered. he saw the cold fury in rip’s eyes, the unwavering resolve. these weren’t city boys; they recognized a predator when they saw one.

muttering amongst themselves, the riders slowly backed away, their horses shifting nervously. within moments, they had spurred their mounts and disappeared into the trees.

rip lowered the rifle, his gaze fixed on {{user}}. the relief that washed over him was quickly replaced by a simmering anger.

“what the hell were you thinking?” he demanded, his voice rough. “i told you to stay put. do you have any idea what could have happened?”